Artist Interview: Hayden Martin Smith
Get to know Hayden, the rising star behind the captivating single 'Helpless.' In this interview, Hayden opens up about her creative process, emotional songwriting, and the story behind her hit song, offering a glimpse into her artistry and passion for music.
Tori: Hayden, congratulations on the release of “Helpless”! Can you tell us the story behind the song and what inspired it?
Hayden: Thank you so much! Genuinely, this might be one of the only songs I’ve written that isn’t based on my own life experience. I just wanted to have some fun writing a song for once instead of using it as a form of catharsis. I got in the studio with my producer, and we came up with this character—a guy who’s awful but charming.
Tori: The music video for “Helpless” adds such visual depth to the track. How involved were you in shaping its concept, and what message were you hoping to convey visually?
Hayden: Shooting that video was so intensely fun. I was involved from the very beginning—bringing the song to my director, and then we storyboarded it together. I was also heavily involved in the casting process for our love interest. I wanted the video to show a relationship you know is deeply toxic, but that you can also understand why someone might stay in it.
Tori: Your lyrics feel deeply personal and emotionally raw. How do you find the courage to share so much of yourself in your music?
Hayden: I’ve always written songs this way. I need some sort of catharsis when I feel things, because I tend to feel more intensely than most. But I like to release the music because I know that, when I listen to a song I can relate to, I feel so seen. I’d love to be that for someone else.
Tori: Growing up in theatre and choirs, what was the turning point where you felt, “I want to write and sing my own stories”?
Hayden: Covers are so fun—I truly love them. But growing up in theatre, I started to understand how music can be used for storytelling. And I wanted to do that. I also loved the idea that, if I had my own music, maybe one day someone else would cover it. It hasn’t happened yet, but genuinely, that would make me so happy.
Tori: How did your background in performance arts shape your style as an indie folk/rock artist today?
Hayden: It made my music very lyrically driven. Five years ago, I never would’ve guessed that indie rock and folk would become my niche. Shifting into indie rock wasn’t planned. I liked folk, and it made sense because I love telling stories. But I brought a song I’d intended as a folk ballad to my producer. He listened once and said, “No, this is a rock song.” That’s how IDOL became what it is.
Tori: Your sound blends the intimacy of folk with the edge of indie rock. Who are some artists who helped influence that fusion for you?
Hayden: The main artist I was listening to when I shifted genres was Olivia Rodrigo, and I’ve had that comparison quite a lot. I’m very flattered when people say that to me.
Tori: You’ve released two EPs (christmas but make it sad and for personal reasons) and several singles now. How would you say your songwriting has evolved since your earliest tracks?
Hayden: I cringe when I hear either of those EPs. Back then, my biggest priority was writing songs in the moment—getting them on the page and calling them done. I wouldn’t tweak them or revisit them. Now, I like to experiment once a song is written. I’ll try out lyric variations and get second opinions from friends and my producer.
Tori: Are there any songs in your discography that you found especially healing—or difficult—to write?
Hayden: I think “pretty girl” was incredibly healing to write, but also insanely difficult. It deals with things I went through as a teen but didn’t fully process until adulthood. Writing it definitely helped me let go of some of those feelings. It’s probably the most vulnerable song I’ve ever released.
Tori: Do you write lyrics first, or does melody come to you before the words? Walk us through your creative process.
Hayden: It really differs. Sometimes I’ll get a melody stuck in my head, or I’ll think of one line while I’m out and have to record it into my phone. Other times, I’m just overwhelmed with emotion and need to get it down on paper. But pretty much every song starts with me and a guitar, and I build from there.
Tori: Many of your songs feel like journal entries. Do you draw directly from specific moments, or do you let the music reinterpret your memories?
Hayden: Because my music is very lyric-based, most of it does draw from real events. But I don’t like to give away all the details. I use metaphors so listeners can understand the situation without knowing the full story. That also gives them room to connect the song to their own experiences.
Tori: Birmingham has a growing indie scene—how has the city shaped your sound or supported your journey?
Hayden: I have such a soft spot for Birmingham’s music scene. There’s so much community and support for small artists like me. The fact that I can keep playing these venues with barely any following is amazing—it makes me feel seen and respected as an artist. So, when we were looking for locations to shoot the most recent video, I knew it had to be Birmingham.
Tori: What has the response been like from fans, especially those who connect personally with your lyrics?
Hayden: I wouldn’t necessarily say I have “fans,” but I definitely have the best friends and family who love my music. I’m still working hard to get more people to hear it. A few people have found my music online and reached out, and they’ve all been so lovely. My lyrics are definitely my main strength—especially in the sadder songs.
Tori: If you could tour with any artist—living or dead—who would be your dream lineup, and why?
Hayden: I would do anything to tour with Olivia Rodrigo. I’ve been her biggest fan for years, and I wouldn’t be making the music I do now without her influence. An honorable mention would be Catfish and the Bottlemen. I’m obsessed with them, and I got to see them last year in Liverpool. It would be incredible to share a stage with them too.
Tori: Looking ahead, are there themes or ideas you haven’t explored yet in your music that you’re excited to dive into?
Hayden: I’d really like to write some happier songs. It’s almost become a meme that I’m incapable of writing anything happy. And I can write them—but they’re never autobiographical. I’d love to write a song that makes someone else feel good—maybe something with themes of self-love or empowerment.
Tori: Lastly, what’s next after “Helpless”? Any plans for a full-length album, new visuals, or upcoming performances we should keep an eye on?
Hayden: I currently have an album written, and I’m recording it with my producer. The name is still pending, but I’m so excited to release it—I’m incredibly proud of it. I just want to keep making music and hope more people will be willing to listen. But at the end of the day, even if that doesn’t happen, it’s still such a joy to create.
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