Meet Shay Hayashi | Musician (Drummer)

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

Hi Shay, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” -André Gide

I have always been a creature of habit. Familiarity brought me comfort. I spent my childhood in a small Saskatchewan prairie town that I hold deep in my heart. But comfort kills creativity. The scariest thing I have done in my life was uproot. When I decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue music, I couldn’t tell if I was excited or scared shitless. Perhaps the uncertainty of that was a good thing, courage is a mixture of bravery with a hint of stupidity. I remember those misunderstood jitters I felt in my stomach as I drove over the Canadian border to pursue a life in L.A. I had no one but my beloved cat in the passenger seat beside me, within my van, packed of a drum kit and minimal essentials. The most courageous thing I have done in my life was uproot. Here I am being interviewed about it…

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was living in Vancouver, British Columbia before coming to L.A. I had ran a successful D.I.Y. music venue and studio for the past decade. At age 19 I was co-managing this space and had no idea of the impact it would flourish into. I was thriving as a musician and business owner for live music. I was making a difference in my city and grateful for it. Twelve years later I found myself in a difficult post covid independent music business situation and I decided to give up my studio and business. My band that had started recognizable momentum was crumbling and I felt remorse to be letting down labels and managers with the halt of this project. I was spiritually aware of the shift that was happening in my life – the way everything is eerily calm before a tectonic crash. I didn’t want to wade in the swell of dissipation that was to come. So I left. Quickly and quietly, I left.

To answer the question, no it wasn’t easy. But it was necessary. I started doing session work as a drummer here in Los Angeles. Coming from a city where everyone knows your name to a much larger city where you are merely a dime a dozen of a decent drummer, had its daunting moments, yet again necessary uncomfortableness…

A dear green-thumb friend told me that an apple tree does not bear fruit until the seasons change to a state of almost too cold. The tree must feel a sense of doom to bear fruit otherwise it wouldn’t. I was an apple tree in this city for some time. With my visa, I was only able to work music gigs so I had a forest fire under my ass. I think that is what I am most proud of, forcing myself to bear fruit under extremely stressful conditions. A couple years later, I am grateful to be able to call myself a professional musician. I’m at a point now where I can frequently take gigs that I am passionate about because I have been lucky enough to find my frequency of humans and opportunities in the music community now. Every gig seemed to lead to another connection or opportunity, but I had to be the antennae for these opportunities as well as the catalyst. It took awhile but I’m getting more comfortable here, while refraining from getting TOO comfortable! Los Angeles music scene is truly a very small world. Or maybe this world is a very small world. Or maybe faith and fate have something to do with it. Regardless I’m grateful to be an artist in this city, right here, right now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Taco trucks. Hands down I would (and have) taken my best friend to my list of amazing taco trucks in this city. We’d finish the eve off hanging in the Hollywood forever cemetery.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The first obvious shoutout is to God and my Ma, who in my opinion, go hand in hand. Creator and nurturer; a mother’s love is the godliest thing. Thank you mom, for reminding me to have faith through the bad times and the good. Thank you for not only putting up with, but supporting my wayward ways. I love you.

A couple other names that come to mind when I think back to my manic decision process to pick up and go (who have no idea – until now, how significant their insignificant gestures were to me) is Kristen Gleeson-Prata. You inspired me to pursue Los Angeles, inspired me as a musician, gave me a hook up to my first apartment and let me pick your brain about drums while helping me with my first auditions. Thank you.

Lizzy Houston. You just believed in me. You gave me the push get out of my comfort zone. You were like a scripted life manager for me at the time. Thank you.

Steve Bays. You were there for me in a dark time. You know how much I appreciate you. Thank you.

Roxanne Hahn. As my best friend, you supported me through tears as we spent the last few weeks clearing out my loft studio and sitting on the floor of a couchless wooden home we once shared. Thank you.

Instagram: @phonopony

Other: https://linktr.ee/hayashi.drums

Image Credits
Image 1: @weirdo_music_forever

Image 2 & 3: Christopher Edmonstone