About That Song: Haley E Rydell
About That Song #20
In our special series, singer-songwriter Sarah Morris interviews artists about the songs that shaped them.
Hi! I’m Sarah Morris. I’m wildly in love with songs and the people who write them. There have been a few songs in my life that have been total gamechangers—songs that made me want to be a songwriter and songs I’ve written that made me feel like I am a songwriter. About That Song is a space where I can learn more about those pivotal songs in other writers’ lives.
In the 20th (wow!) edition of this series, I got to talk to Haley E Rydell! An outstanding multi-instrumentalist as well as singer-songwriter, Haley’s got a new album and some exciting upcoming shows. We dug into her musical past to find out about the songs and artists that helped make her the songwriter she is today.
Haley E Rydell. Photo credit: Wolfskull Creative.
Sarah: Hello Haley! I feel fortunate that I get to speak to you fairly regularly, but today is a bit of an extra treat for me, because we get to talk about THAT song (of course) and also a little bit about your recently released album, Midwestern Daughter. It’s one of my favorite albums of 2023—congrats on making the big and beautiful thing. I’m wondering—do you remember one song that you heard that made you want to be a songwriter? Tell us about that song.
Haley: Honestly, I don’t really remember one song. (I feel like I’m starting off really poorly here…)
Sarah: Ha—not at all! I’ve learned that many (maybe most) people I’ve interviewed don’t remember just ONE song. So actually, you’re doing amazing.
Haley: I had been so obsessed with music my whole life, but I didn’t think I had a good voice, so I was more focused on playing guitar and violin. And then I was introduced to two artists who became huge inspirations to me—Angie Stevens and Brenda Weiler. They were both more or less from the same town I was and they were out there really doing it; touring, putting out amazing records, the whole thing. Their lyrics were so real and so poetic and they really inspired me to be able to say in song what my shy Midwest self couldn’t speak out loud. I just LOVED their music and what they were doing and something in me went “I want to try that.”
Sarah: I love that answer. That it was the songs plus witnessing their action—the “doing it” of music—that inspired you.
Haley: But if I have to pick songs it would be “Words” by Angie Stevens and “Daisy” by Brenda Weiler.
Sarah: Excellent! I can’t wait to go listen to those songs. Once you began writing, did you feel like a songwriter immediately? For me, there was a bit of a gap—a few years of writing before I believed it. Was there a song that you wrote that gave you that “a-HA! I AM a songwriter!” moment? Tell us about that song.
Haley: I had sort of a weird start to my songwriting journey. I started playing guitar in junior high and of course tried to write a little song here or there, but nothing stuck (and thank goodness there’s no record of any of them). Then in college, my friend, Paul, set up my crappy laptop with some recording software and got me a microphone to hook up to it. I started messing around recording little ideas and before I knew it I had written and recorded my first song “Little Row of Boxes.” I had come up with the first verse and then over the course of the night I would write more verses on sticky notes as I would think of them. The next day I went around and collected all the sticky notes and put the song together.
I really didn’t love the sound of my voice for a long time, so I would triple-track every single vocal part to mask what I thought were imperfections (and to attempt a real Elliott Smith vibe). Writing that song was so fulfilling, I wanted to write more! Another friend of mine was in the audio engineering program at the school and asked if I could write four more songs so that we could record an EP and it would be his semester recording project. Somehow those songs just came pouring out. I put out that EP and started playing shows! All that being said, I’ve certainly gone through phases where I struggle to call myself a songwriter since then—it seems to be very “feast or famine” in my adult life.
Haley E Rydell. Photo credit: Wolfskull Creative.
Sarah: I understand those moments, I imagine most songwriters experience that, no matter how much they’ve written SONGWRITER in bold marker somewhere on their heart. Also—sticky notes!!! My primary relationship with sticky notes is using them to write questions I’m asking, or reminders/affirmations I need. I’m delighted to think of a trail of sticky notes lining up to be your first song.
Haley, in concert, I’ve heard you explain that most of your songs are “breakup songs.” While there is certainly heartache on Midwestern Daughter, one of the songs that gets me every time is actually a fairly jubilant love song! “I Can’t Get Enough of You.” Can you tell us about that song? I find it incredibly challenging to write such full-on-in-the-bliss-love songs (sorry, Husband!)—did this song feel natural to write, or come with a bit more effort?
Haley: It is definitely much easier for me to write sad songs. Even my more upbeat songs are deep down probably about a loss of some sort. “I Can’t Get Enough of You” sort of came out of nowhere and was a pretty quick write. I love the expression of being so enamored by something that you just can’t get enough of it, and I thought I could make a special little love song for my wife with that. I basically wrote the chorus and then just thought of all my favorite things about her and listed them! It was deep in the midst of COVID, so we were spending just about every second together. I think because I don’t try to write love songs very often at all, it came easier. I had a pretty vast pool of ideas to work with.
I will say, I was a little worried to put it on the record, it being so specific to my wife, but I’ve been surprised to hear how many people count that as one of their favorites!
Sarah: Oh wow, the thought that song came in the middle of COVID, and the “we’re together every second” times, makes it even lovelier to me. Another standout track, “Tough Act To Follow,” does hang out in “breakup song” territory. It is maybe the only song I’ve ever heard that elegantly includes a line about Brussels sprouts. Can you tell us about that song? The entire second verse contains the kind of details that ring so true—it gets me every time! (Although I will totally roast Brussels sprouts just for myself).
Haley: Ha! The Brussels sprout line was sort of a last-minute change—I can’t remember what it was originally, but I’m glad you like the revision. That’s definitely one of my favorite songs from the album. I wanted to write a song about the part of a breakup where you’re transitioning from being in a couple to being single—cleaning out their stuff from your house, learning to cook for one, etc. It’s a different kind of sad, I think.
I also wanted to add the line about the perfume because I think it's an interesting part of at least the same-sex relationships I have been a part of. It’s pretty easy when you start cohabitating to start sharing clothes, lotions, soaps, etc. and pretty soon you look alike and smell the same. Thinking about continuing to want to smell like your partner after a breakup was funny to me.
Sarah: Funny, and soooo relatable. I am absolutely someone who has done that post breakup! Okay, time for your last question! In addition to being a member of the band Buffalo Gospel, and being in-demand as a bandmate for other musicians in our area, I know you have a fantastic band of your own. Is there anywhere that you might be out and about playing these songs sometime soon?
Haley: You are too kind. Yes! My full band will be playing at Aster Cafe on November 18 with our friend Matthew French! This will be the first public full band show since our release show back in March, which happened to occur on the night of the worst blizzard of the winter! I’ve been playing in smaller configurations over the summer and fall, but we’re very excited to get the whole band back together and play the record again!
I will also be at the 331 on Monday, November 20 for the Womenfolk Concert Series!
Sarah: Wonderful! Thank you so much for this conversation. And congrats again on your beautiful album!
See Haley with Matthew French at the Aster Cafe in Minneapolis on Saturday, November 18! (Make a reservation and the cover charge will be added to your tab.) Music is 9:00–11:00 pm.
Listen to “Tough Act to Follow”
Midwestern Daughter Album Credits
Produced by Ryan Necci & Haley E Rydell
Engineered by Brian F Joseph at hive.
Mixed by Ian Olvera
Mastered by Tom Garneau at Audioactive
Cover photo by Wolfskull Creative
Album art by Ryan Necci
Haley E Rydell - vocals, guitar, fiddle
Dave Mehling - guitars, keyboards, autoharp
Matt Donoghue - bass
Kevin Rowe - bass
Kyle Keegan - drums
Ben Lester - pedal steel
Matt Tiller - brass & winds
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Morris. Photo credit: Tom Smouse.
Sarah Morris is a superfan of songs and the people who write them, and a believer that certain songs can change your life. A singer-songwriter / mama / bread maker / coffee drinker who recently released her fifth album of original material, she’s been known to joyfully sing with people in her Big Green Bathroom.
