NEW HAYLEA HEYNS SINGLE EXPLORES WIDELY-DEBATED TOPIC: CAN A MAN AND A WOMAN BE “JUST FRIENDS”?

The age-old debate of whether platonic friendship is possible between men and women is put under the spotlight in Haylea Heyns’ new single, JUST FRIENDS.

Where did your love and passion for music come from?

I have always been passionate about music. I took part in primary school musicals and sang in my high school choir. Recently, I discovered that my great-great-grandmother used to sing, and after her husband passed away she used her talent and sang in soirees at parties in people’s homes to earn extra money for her family.

Your brand-new single “Just Friends” is it based on true events?

It most certainly is. A friend of mine started seeing a guy who was in a committed relationship and it didn’t end well. That’s what inspired the song. We had many conversations about it, and the phrase “we’re just friends” kept coming up over and over again. To which I would say – “there’s no such thing as just friends,” and that’s what sparked the song. As I started writing the song though, the lyrics became more about the advice I had given myself in the past – I always seemed to fall for the wrong guy. I think that’s why I was so invested in my friend’s situation – I knew from experience how it was going to end.

What inspired you to give it an 80s feel?

I knew I wanted to do something different, stylistically, from my other singles – so my producer decided to experiment with some iconic 80s synths and drum fills. It wasn’t what I initially intended when I wrote it, but it kind of just started going in that direction during the production. After adding a few 80s elements, I loved it, and then it was impossible to hear it any other way – so we just rolled with it.

How long did it take you to write the song?

The first verse and chorus were really quick – I wrote it in an hour or two. I then had a bit of a block, so I left the song alone for a few months before finally coming back to finish it.

Do you think “Just Friends” will relate to a lot of people and why?

I do think a lot of listeners will be able to relate to the song. I am sure almost everyone has been in a situation where they’ve had a friend or been the friend who has fallen for the wrong person. I am sure it will spark lots of conversations around whether or not there is such a thing as “just friends” or if one person secretly wants something more.

What advice would you have given your teenage self?

You won’t always feel this awkward. One day you’ll learn to love and appreciate your body. You’ll get over that heartbreak. Try your best, but if it’s not your thing, let it go. Care less about what other people think of you. Be nicer to your mom. Stop trying so hard to fit in.

Do you have any words of wisdom for our youth who would like to become a singer/songwriter?

I encourage you to keep going. It’s not always easy writing songs or getting them heard, but don’t give up. If you get tired, learn how to rest, not to quit! Not everyone will like everything you write. Don’t let that discourage you. Keep writing, keep singing. With every song you’ll grow and improve, and one day you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come.

What else can we expect from Haylea in the near future?

I am writing new music, but I am also exploring some of my favourite songs from the 80s to cover. So – watch this space.

The idea for the track came about after a heart to heart with a friend over a glass of wine. “My friend had fallen for a guy in a committed relationship, and we chatted in depth about it, trying to figure out what she should do,” explains Haylea. The conversation led to some soul-searching and a few weeks later, in collaboration with Thomas Watkeys, Haylea wrote JUST FRIENDS. 

“While the song is essentially a heart to heart between me and my friend, it also touches on conversations I’ve had with myself in the past – I always seemed to fall for the wrong guy. The lyrics are my advice to my friend and to my past self.”

Haylea uses the song to share her take on the widely-debated topic of whether a purely platonic friendship can exist between a man and a woman. “I have always questioned, in this situation, whether there is one person who secretly wants something more, and the song delves deeper into my views,” she says. On a more personal level, it serves a reminder to Haylea of hidden personal insecurities and past hurts.

The adult contemporary pop song has a distinct 80s feel, with glassy synthesisers, gated reverbs, and classic Phil Collins-style drums paying homage to that classic era. “I am a huge fan of 80s music, and it has been so much fun exploring this genre and choosing elements to include in the production. It has, however, been quite challenging to not take the 80s inspiration too far and still have a song that stands its ground in the present pop era.”

With its fresh 80s-inspired vibe the single is quite different from anything the singer-songwriter has done before. That said, the high vocal runs weaving in and out of the lead vocal, catchy melody and meaningful lyrics makes the song unmistakably Haylea. 

JUST FRIENDS marks a special milestone for the artist – it is her tenth original release. Following the success of Sorry and Cold Water, which were very well received and got play listed on several major radio stations, her latest single is sure to reinforce this versatile young singer-songwriter’s position as a rising star.

Haylea was born and raised in Empangeni and has always been passionate about music. After school she studied BA Music and Drama Performance and graduated Cum Laude.

She made her musical debut in 2018 and has had many career highlights since, including being named Durban Artist of the Year at the 2021 City Awards, having the honour of singing the South African National Anthem and the British National Anthem at big international rugby matches and working with several SAMA acclaimed artists like Connell Cruise and Mark Stent.

In addition to writing and recording music and doing live performances, Haylea is also a published children’s book author, as well as a skilled copywriter and content creator. 

Despite her packed schedule, she is eager to keep writing new music. And as for her future plans, she looks forward to being on stage again. With borders having opened again, she admits that she is also a little restless. “I long to fulfil my wanderlust and go travelling again.”

JUST FRIENDS is now available for download from Friday 2 September 2022.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hayleaheyns 

Instagram: @hayleaheyns

Twitter: @hayleaheyns

Website: www.hayleaheyns.co.za 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXggNfsmtEZwSTdYhLFqmBA 

TikTok: @hayleaheyns

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