31st May 2021, my first performance of the year. Opening for one of my favourite artists ‘This Is the Kit’ was an honour and a privilege. TWO shows, matinee and evening and all at my dream of a lifetime venue, the beautiful De La Warr Pavilion!
‘Hayley Savage grew up in Hastings, skating, sea-swimming by moonlight and playing the guitar. It wasn’t long before the alternative musical and cultural enclave she called home inspired her to begin songwriting.
Drawn to the music and voices of the likes of Neil Young and Sandy Denny, she immersed herself in music and the rich scene of her home town. Finding an ally in Hastings-based alt folk stalwart Tim Hoyte, she grew in confidence, finding her voice and committing to a life as an artist.
As with so many who stare out to sea, she set sail, and found herself performing in the bars and cafés of her new adopted home, Amsterdam. Here she honed her craft, becoming an established figure on the music scene. A local record shop championing her releases, and even having a large scale canvas made of her face to put on display!
Just like the tide casts out and draws back in, Hayley returned to these shores, bringing back with her a wealth of experience, and a new found motivation. She formed the Brighton-based American folk inspired trio ‘Grand Palace’ with Dan Harding (Benedict Benjamin) and Mark Benton (Seadog), supporting the likes of Steven Adams (Broken Family Band), Andrew Wasylyk and Minor Alps (Juliana Hatfield and Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws).
Returning to Hastings, since 2018 Hayley has performed regularly, becoming a firm favourite at the legendary acoustic club, ‘The Lantern Society’ run by Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou, as well as supporting William The Conqueror, Tom Williams and many others, both solo and with her three piece harmony group.
May 2020 saw her release the critically acclaimed ‘All Along The Railings ‘ EP, a raw stripped back acoustic record with subtle touches of Hofner Verithin fuzz. She says, ‘I like to sing songs about pain, and about hope.’
Hayley Savage is an artist who transcends categorization. Possessing a voice that would hold it’s own on any stage, in any era, her often self-conscious facade conceals a deep and unflinching artistic commitment. She is more than simply the product of the alternative towns she has called home, she is the very fabric of them.