I can't remember when I first started wanting to write songs. But I know I've always been making music.
I kind of begged my mom to start playing Suzuki violin when I was six. And after all the training on my cardboard box violin, I finally found love when I started playing a real one. :)
I adore classical music. Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Debbusy, Steve Reich - It's all those guys - who have set a really cool foundation for me. And the experience has inspired me to seek even more - folk, jazz, soul, blues, country, acoustic, progressive, rock, and the awesomeness of pop.
It's when I'm hearing Sara Bareilles sing her epic tale of heartbreak in "Gravity" with unbelievable skill and poise, or watching John Mayer's "Where The Light Is" live DVD for the millionth time, that I realize just how amazing and powerful songwriting is.
I'm inspired by every little thought that goes through my head. And whether it's something that makes me mush about an adorably innocent relationship, or addressing a very difficult issue about self-image and mortality, it's all real to me. I think the best thing about pop is that it's real to you too.
I don't know what pushed me to make this record, but I'm so thankful and overwhelmed that I did! Thank you so much for being here, listening, and for coming along for the journey. You are what makes this awesome.
Get The Music
22 year-old singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Haley Dreis currently resides in Nashville, TN, where she teaches violin, tours, records, and writes music for herself and others. In her hometown of Columbia, SC critics favor her as "one of the scene's brightest voices" (Otis Taylor, The State newspaper) - and her debut full-length album as "a perfectly realized and surprisingly mature and polished pop gem from the still-young Dreis, who is as promising a pop talent as Columbia's ever seen" (Patrick Wall, Columbia Free-Times).
She has recorded and toured throughout the southeast with Jay Clifford (of Jump Little Children) and Josh Kaler (of Slow Runner); and has performed alongside national acts such as We The Kings, Tonic, Edwin McCain, Toby Lightman, & Chris Barron (of Spin Doctors). She has performed at legendary venues such as the Bitter End (NYC), Eddie's Attic (Decatur, GA), Bluebird Cafe (Nashville), and most recently graced the stage at the Grande Ole Opry where she played violin in the orchestra for Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin at the Stellar Music Awards.
Dreis is a high school graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts and a recent cum laude graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors College. Her full-length debut album "Beautiful to Me" (July, 2009) and her sophomore release "Taking Time" (March, 2011) are currently available on iTunes and other digital retailers. She anticipates to record her 3rd full-length album in Spring 2012, which will be entirely fan-funded. If you would like to support the making of this record by pre-ordering an advanced signed copy, visit Kickstarter.com for Haley's project page.