We had the opportunity to interview alternative-pop singer-songwriter, Halston Dare! The 20-year-old from Houston, Texas released her new single, Replace You.
The song was written after a fight with her ex-boyfriend. She definitely turned it into something beautiful. To learn more about her and her music, keep reading!
How did you discover your love for music and break into the industry?
Halston Dare: “Since I was a little girl, even around age three, I was singing. My dad is also a singer so music has always been a part of my life. I started writing when I was around nine years old. It was then I decided to start voice lessons and join choir.
I also started having writing sessions and found a crazy comforting good love with the music industry and music in general. I kept fighting for it, working on my social media, performing on open mic nights and karaoke. Now, I am finally getting a huge debut.”
What is a typical songwriting process for you?
“I usually like to write music about what recent drama has happened in my life and usually it is the day before. It’s crazy, Replace You was written a day after this fight with my ex-boyfriend. I had to beg for his attention and to talk. Stepping back, I realized do not need to chase after a man.
I was so livid. The next day I looked at Michelle and told her this guy thinks he is irreplaceable. That is not true. Anybody is replaceable, there is always someone better out there.
That is basically how Replace You was written and is a great example for how most of my music is written. With that being said, all of my other songs to be released soon follow a timeline with what has been going on in my life and I am really excited to share this music.”
What are your next steps after the songwriting process to make sure your song is heard and understood?
“I definitely plan out for weeks with my team to find the most creative ways to share it and market it. Honestly, I listen to the music over and over and share it with every person that I trust and I try and get their feedback and advice and when I have gotten to my peace, I am finally ready to release it.
That is what happened with Replace You, I actually had it for a really long time and I felt comfortable with it only less than a month ago to be released.”
How would you describe your musical sound?
“Replace You is definitely a great example for my sound. I have some other music I am going to be releasing that doesn’t really sound like Replace You but that is one thing that I love about my brand is that it is very diverse and versatile.
I like to describe my sound as Julia Michaels meets Halsey meets The Weeknd meets Dua Lipa. If all of them had a baby, I would be that.
What career goals do you have next following the release of “Replace You?”
“In my future, I would love to see myself on tour and opening up for artists that I idolize. That would definitely be a dream to open up for someone like Dua Lipa, Halsey, Ariana Grande or Julia Michaels performing my own music – I would be floored to open up for someone like that.
I would also love to tap into the makeup world and collab up with some artists like Manny MUA, Patrick Star and James Charles. I am also really passionate about being eco-friendly and I would love to create a glitter that is eco-friendly because I am obsessed with glitter and I am always wearing it.”
What are your dream venues to play in someday?
“One venue that I was so fond of playing in was Madison Square Garden. But I also think the Toyota Center or NRG Center would also be a major goal of mine because they are in my hometown and I would feel like I definitely had made it in the music industry. The Staples Center would also be huge, I don’t know if I would even be able to process that.”
Aside from music and makeup what else are you passionate about.
“I spend my time either with my friends, boyfriend or family and love to workout and play with my dogs, try and figure out cool makeup trends and watch tv. When I am not working on music I really try and be a homebody and just try and relax.”
What advice would you give to someone looking to follow in your footsteps?
“One of the things I was asked at a very young age when I first started my career was, ‘Halston do you really want this? Do you really want the world to hear your music? Do you want to go on tour?’ And I kept answering “Yes!”
And they said, ‘the only person who will stop you from getting there is yourself because nobody is going to stop you from getting where you want to be or being who you want to be but yourself. So never give up.’
I have lived by that my entire life and throughout my music career. No one is going to stop me so I always try and believe and be patient and that is what I have to say to others in any career. Never let insecurities or negative thoughts get in the way.”
To keep up with everything Halston Dare is doing in the music industry be sure to follow her on all social media!
Instagram: @halstondare
Twitter: @halstondare
