By Zachary Greenberg
New York native Hayes Warner is quickly making a name for herself as one of pop music’s rising stars. Blending sharp lyricism with an electrifying sound, she delivers music that is both bold and relatable. Kicking off 2025 with a bang, Warner has released her new single Oh! along with a high-energy music video filmed at the iconic New York City nightclub, The Box. The track, a standout from her upcoming debut EP Extended Play , takes a playful yet thought-provoking look at the expectations placed on young women in dating.
With a sound influenced by pop powerhouses like Avril Lavigne, Pink, and Gwen Stefani, Warner brings a fresh, rebellious edge to modern pop. Her infectious energy and clever storytelling have already earned her a growing fan base, and as she continues to push boundaries, she proves she is a force to watch. We sat down with Hayes to discuss her journey, creative process, and what fans can expect next.
TV and City: Thank you so much for joining us, Hayes. Can you please tell me a little about yourself, where you’re from, and how you got into music?
Hayes: Thank you for having me! I grew up in New York City and, from the age of five, I knew I wanted to be in music. I learned the piano and was obsessed with performance. Growing up in the city exposed me to a diverse range of art forms and talented musicians.
When I was 12, I sang at an open mic night and met my first connection to a producer. He said, “Hey, I like that song you wrote.” Although the song was far from perfect, that session introduced me to New York’s music community and sparked my passion for songwriting. Even while auditioning for musical theater, I continued writing music.
Wow! I can’t believe you sang your own original song at just 12! Wasn’t that scary?
I was very confident in myself even at the age of 12. I sat at the piano, composed an original song, and performed it at an open mic night. It was an exhilarating experience that set the tone for my musical journey.
Speaking of live performances, I’m curious, what was your first concert?
My first concert was when I was eight and it was the Black Eyed Peas. I went with my dad and Ludacris opened. He did his signature middle finger gesture on stage, and my dad told me, “You can do it.” I didn’t fully understand what the gesture meant at the time, but I felt like I was part of the show.
Can you share some details about your time in musical theater?
I grew up loving singing, acting, and dancing, so musical theater was always an essential part of my life. Attending school for musical theater allowed me to be surrounded by talented musicians and taught me the importance of collaboration. It also helped me form close friendships with fellow artists. It was an amazing time.
When COVID hit, things felt apocalyptic as I had to perform on my Zoom camera from my living room, making the experience of musical theater during that time definitely weird.
Did you originally see yourself pursuing Broadway, or was pop stardom always your goal?
I always gravitated toward being an artist. But, becoming an artist is challenging because there is no clear path or set of instructions. I knew it was all I wanted to do, but I had no idea how to achieve it and did not know anyone who had done it before.
Musical theater provided a structured path through auditions and training, serving as my gateway into the world of art and preparing me for touring.
With platforms like YouTube and TikTok, you can create your own path to fame. Has your audience grown significantly since college?
Social media is a blessing because it lets you create your own fan base, connect with people, and share your music without relying on a corporation.
However, it is a complicated system. Figuring out how something goes viral or how to create visuals that attract listeners can be challenging. I have a love-hate relationship with social media.
What was your first recorded single and your first music video?
My first recorded song was on GarageBand using my guitar notes. The first recorded single was with the producer I met at the open mic when I went into his studio. I learned what a studio was like because it was completely new to me.
My first real music video was released while I was in school. I collaborated with a group of talented friends from high school and college who were passionate about video and aspired to be directors. I told them, “Hey, I want to be an artist,” and together we created some fun music videos.
What is your creative process for writing a new song and developing a music video?
I am very involved in every stage of the creative process. Initially, I would write alone at the piano, but over time I have embraced collaboration. I usually enter the studio with an idea, a lyric, a melody, or a concept and work with a producer or writer to shape the song. When it comes to the music video, I carefully consider how best to showcase the song and convey its meaning. My last music video was entirely creatively directed by me and my friends, and it was an incredible experience.
I am very involved in every stage of the creative process. I get attached to the concept of a music video and how it showcases the song. Initially, I wrote alone at the piano, but now I love collaboration.
I usually enter the studio with an idea, a lyric, a melody, or a concept and work with a producer or writer to shape the song. For the music video, I consider how best to present the song and what feels true to me. My last music video was creatively directed by me and my friends. It was awesome.
I heard your new release on Sirius XM before it was released on your Youtube. I had kept trying to Shazam it because I thought it was so catchy, but the Shazam kept coming up as an error! I’m glad it’s released now and I can listen to it. Can you tell me about the song, its inspiration, and what excites you most about it?
The inspiration for the song came from my first experience with a dating app. I went on a few dates that turned out to be terrible with people who were horrible for different reasons. I went into the studio as a way of dealing with it, using sarcasm and self-deprecation. My friends and I joked about how awful my dates were, and that humor evolved into a concept for the song and music video, highlighting a shared, relatable experience of the challenges of dating.
I see you toured with Crash Adams and the Scarlet Opera last year. Which cities did you visit, and did you perform as the opener or collaborate with them on stage?
I opened for both acts. With the Scarlet Opera, I toured the West Coast (LA, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle) and the East Coast (Philly, Manhattan, DC, among others). With Crash Adams, we also performed in two shows in Canada, which required bringing my passport.
When touring, how do you also promote yourself?
As an opener, I was very excited to promote the shows. Touring gave me the opportunity to meet many fans who had connected with me on social media as well as new fans of Crash Adams. It was a great way to build relationships and expand my audience.
What was the largest crowd you performed in front of?
I would say Lollapalooza last year. It was in Chicago, near my college. It was the first time I had returned since college, and it felt like a full-circle moment to be back doing music. The crowd was around 2,000 people, and it remains one of my most memorable shows.
I noticed you have written for shows like Descendants for Disney and also some Netflix shows. Can you tell me about that work?
I worked as a writer on one of those projects, but my most recent and exciting project was creating an original song for Barbie Mysteries on Netflix. It was such a cool experience. I wrote the song based on what I imagined would fit the scene best, bringing the story to life through music.
I read online you did something with the Golden State Warriors too, right? Did you get to meet Steph Curry?
I helped finish and write the theme song for the Golden State Warriors, but I did not get to meet any of the players. I’m not the biggest sports fan, but I appreciated the collaboration.
What were some early challenges you faced breaking into the industry, and how did you overcome them?
Some early challenges were a lack of awareness about how the industry works. It is really complex, and when you’re starting out, it feels like you are behind a curtain with no clear understanding of publishing deals, record deals, or managers.
I made a point to educate myself about these aspects and was fortunate to have a manager who guided me. Educating yourself and knowing your rights is essential to staying safe and protected in the industry.
What is a dream venue or festival you would like to play at, and what is a personal or career goal for the next few years?
I would love to do a headline show at Madison Square Garden.
What is your favorite song and who is your favorite artist of all time?
My favorite song of all time changes every month, so it is hard to choose one. I have been a huge Lady Gaga fan since birth.
As we wrap up, what advice do you have for readers?
As for advice, one of the biggest obstacles for aspiring artists is caring too much about what others think. Pushing through that helped me find the best version of myself, and I encourage others to do the same.
When is your next concert for our readers out there who want to see you perform?
TBD, but I’ll be announcing it soon, most likely a headline show in New York.
TV and City 