We had the good fortune of connecting with Charlie Hay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charlie, what do you want your legacy to be?
To be honest this feels like such a big question. But I understand that thinking about these things will help me live life more aligned! And I can only try my best.

I want to have spread light to the people I meet, no matter if it’s my Uber driver, a friend, producer, the cashier at Trader Joe’s, family or my life partner. I want people to remember that their light, no matter their life circumstances or struggles, was seen by me. I want to live life brave enough to follow my truth, to always grow and evolve. I want to leave behind music, conversations, art, poems, books, moments that touch people’s hearts, and that somehow help them follow their own truth, break “suffering patterns” and live authentically so that they can be more of themselves for other people. That would feel beautiful to me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Singer & Songwriter, born and raised in Sweden. Ever since I was a kid I’ve used storytelling, journaling, and poems to express and understand myself. So my music has become a process for me to seek my own truth on this journey, in love, joy, confusion, mental health struggles – everything that we go through in our own ways. I want my music to be a space for allowing the listener to be, think, feel, and process. There are a lot of challenges of course, but self-belief has always been a strong one, coming from a country where it’s somewhat “ingrained” to stay “small”. So to overcome those challenges I really need to sit, by myself. Listen to my body, and follow whatever comes up. Question my mind and all that we’re told. That journey helps me be more of my authentic self, which is the voice that hopefully comes out in my music. I want people to know and feel that there is space for them in this world.

I’m currently working on a Swedish theme with my songs, and I feel excited to share more of them this summer!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a nature addict, so I would take my best friend to see some beautiful spots around Los Angeles. My morning hikes around Griffith Park, a drive through the coast of Malibu, walking around the Venice Canals, go horseback-riding in Topanga, do a surfing lesson by Ocean Park, walk around Hollywood Forever. We would go visit my old UCLA campus and enjoy the architecture and gardens. When my mom visited we went to an old, huge mansion and got a round tour of the house and garden (that was fun). We would drive around Beverly Hills and The Hills and look at beautiful houses.

We would also eat so much, in so many places. Have breakfast at the Great White in Venice, and Joan’s on Third by The Grove. Have a beautiful lunch at the recently opened Grain Traders on Fairfax (amazing, healthy food!). We’d have dinner and eat everything at the rooftop of Catch, have a beautiful meat buffet at Fogo De Chao, and enjoy the lemon pasta, and mozzarella sticks from Jon & Vinnys.

I’ve been sober for 5 years so I wouldn’t be good at recommending the best drinks in town, but I’d love to take her dancing, trying some salsa clubs, experience a fun Speakeasy in Hollywood, go watch some friends dance professionally at The Sayers Club, and definitely watch some Comedy at the Comedy Store. I would also take her to one of my favorite dance classes, by Alexis @bealeexx and my friend @adisonbriana ‘s “Floorwork” dance class in Burbank. It’s such a fun way to express the divine feminine.

We would also have to go watch two movies so that she gets to experience a rooftop cinema and IPIC Theatre. Those experiences feel special and cozy for me who didn’t have that at home. And then do some fun adventures like Universal Studios or Six Flags (I don’t do roller coasters anymore, but I’d happily watch my friend go lol).

I’m also all in the holistic health world so we would enter some outdoor fitness events, or classes like my friend Eddie’s Lobos Boxing (on Melrose), or goat/puppy yoga out in Malibu. Go do a beautiful sound bath or Kundalini yoga, meet people, move, and have fun. LA literally has everything so I’d happily show her the best time! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to all the amazing people in my life. My family, who supports all of my ideas and dreams, for the other side of the world. My partner for believing in me (sometimes more than I believe in myself), and my UCLA teachers and fellow students that I’ve gotten to work with and learn from. I’m so grateful for them all.

Website: www.charliehayofficial.com

Instagram: @charliehayofficial

Facebook: Charlie Hay

Youtube: Charlie Hay

Other: Spotify: Charlie Hay

Image Credits
Main photo: Colleen Allison Cover art photos: Blake Eiermann

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