WILLIAMSBURG — Tunes in Town is an occasional series that catches up with some of the local musical talents that call Hampton Roads home.
Stella Haile recalls growing up around all different kinds of bands with a bass-playing father and a mother who was a member of several choirs. Haile picked up the guitar and ukulele and was hooked.
“I think I first started playing live when I was about 13. I did different open mics at restaurants around the area and just sang wherever I could, wherever they would let me. I’ve moved out now but it’s nice to still have that piece of home, playing all the time,” Haile said.
Haile, who describes her style as folk-country, performs at venues around the Hampton Roads area, playing a mix of covers and original music.
“The hits have to be Sweet Caroline, stuff people know that really gets people dancing. I think my favorite stuff to play is Kacey Musgraves. She is really good, because where I play, it’s a lot of hippies, for lack of a better word. She has these sweet, subtle songs but people recognize them. I love performing the songs people forget about,” Haile said.
The most important thing to Haile about performing is creating emotions for her listeners.
“At first, I did music just because that’s how I was raised. Everyone in my family played so I was around it all the time. Now, I do music because it just is the one thing where I can be creative and not have a bunch of people giving their input. It’s just me with my feelings and I think that’s what is so amazing about playing live is that you are there with your feelings and everyone else is there with their feelings,” Haile said.
At the age of 20, Haile has had to learn the ins and outs of the music industry.
“This industry has really taught me the importance of being patient and manifesting. Also, the whole starving artist mindset is such a thing. You just have to annoy every restaurant for every gig to give you a chance to play. You really have to put away your pride and get on your knees and beg for a shot,” Haile said.
Haile truly enjoys the creative process, from writing the lyrics to recording her own content. She also hopes to inspire more friends to begin playing.
“I would love to have people play behind me or friends to join me on stage. It’s so meaningful because when I see my friends in their bands, that community is so nice. Just having a musical community is something I’d really love to do,” Haile said.
In her short time involved in music, Haile has released two singles, “Getting Old” and “Overthinking and Drinking.” As a songwriter, Haile takes pride in creating music that people can relate to.
“A lot of the stuff you write, you don’t write it down until you’ve actually processed what you’ve been through emotionally. What I’m writing about, I’ve felt a while ago, I’m probably not feeling it now, perse. Sometimes it can also be what I am feeling in the moment. That’s the beauty of the creative process,” Haile said.
As for her dreams within the industry, Haile is hopeful to one day perform alongside Bonnie Raitt.
“I love Bonnie Raitt. I want to sing a Bonnie Raitt cover and have someone play a piano on stage. I saw her at the Amphitheater and she sang “Can’t Make You Love Me,” and if it could just recreate that anywhere, that would be good enough for me,” Haile said.
Haile hopes to release an EP in late 2024. Her two singles are available on all music streaming platforms.
For the most up-to-date information on Haile, visit this link.
