Blending tradition with a restless spirit of exploration, Clay Hazey is part of a new generation of artists reshaping the boundaries of country and western music. Rather than adhering strictly to genre conventions, Hazey draws selectively from the sounds that inspire him—classic twang, folk intimacy, and a touch of indie grit—then fills in the gaps with his own instincts. The result is a sound that feels both timeless and distinctly modern. With sharp, unvarnished songwriting, a raw and expressive voice, and melodies that linger long after the first listen, Hazey creates songs that act as a gateway into the wider world of twang. His music balances warmth and melancholy, humour and vulnerability, offering listeners something that feels instantly familiar while still carrying the thrill of discovery.
Hazey first introduced that aesthetic on his self-titled debut EP in 2024. Recorded by Nick Lanyon of Rapallo and mixed by Jonathan Anderson, known for his work with Andy Shauf and Ocie Elliott, the EP marked the arrival of a songwriter with both a strong point of view and a knack for memorable hooks. The release quickly found its audience: songs from the project earned spins on CBC Radio 1 and charted on college radio stations in Burnaby and Toronto. The standout single “Past Two,” featuring Sierra Lundy of Ocie Elliott, proved especially resonant, spending more than six months in rotation on SiriusXM’s NorthAmericana channel. The EP not only showcased Hazey’s ability to craft thoughtful, melodic songs but also hinted at the depth and emotional nuance that would continue to define his work.
That same year, Hazey brought his music from the studio to the stage, building a reputation as a compelling live performer. He appeared at festivals including NXNE and Festival sur le Canal, earning new fans with intimate performances that highlighted the emotional pull of his songwriting. Industry tastemakers also took notice: he was named a showcase finalist for the renowned Mariposa Folk Festival and received recognition from Exclaim as one of their “Emerging Artists You Need to See.” By the time autumn arrived, Hazey was ready to take his music on the road. His November Daylight Savings Tour with Jade Hilton and School House proved to be a breakout moment, selling out venues in Toronto, Kingston, Montreal, and Ottawa. Night after night, the shows confirmed what listeners had already begun to suspect—that Hazey’s songs connect just as powerfully in a crowded room as they do through a pair of headphones.
Now, with a follow-up EP scheduled for release in spring 2026, Hazey continues to deepen and expand his alt-country palette. The new material reflects a wide spectrum of influences, from the weathered storytelling of Tom Waits’ Mule Variations to the hushed intimacy of Adrianne Lenker’s Songs and the pastoral honesty of Gillian Welch’s Soul Journey. Drawing from these touchstones without ever sounding derivative, Hazey leans further into the emotional and sonic textures that have become central to his work. The forthcoming EP is also his most personal release yet, weaving together dark humour with reflections on addiction, self-acceptance, and the complicated emotional terrain of modern relationships. It is music that acknowledges life’s rough edges without losing sight of the tenderness that exists within them.
One of the clearest expressions of that balance arrives in the song “Tulips.” Hazey wrote the track during a bitter January cold snap while working in a shared studio space in Montreal’s Village neighbourhood. The setting was far from romantic: the building sat above what he jokingly describes as “a skunk’s den,” and the only source of heat was a small gas stove that barely kept the chill at bay. Yet the strange isolation of the space—and the long, grey stretch of winter outside—became an unlikely catalyst for creativity. “The environment inspired the song as much as anything,” Hazey recalls. Surrounded by the stillness of the season and sensing that many people around him were carrying the same quiet heaviness, he set out to write something that captured that emotional atmosphere.
The result is a song he describes as “a love song for when it feels like the end of the road.” Rather than celebrating romance in its bright early stages, “Tulips” focuses on the quieter moments of endurance—two partners simply trying to stay warm together when that is all they have the strength to do. Like the flower that gives the song its title, the track suggests that resilience often begins in small, almost imperceptible ways. Tulips are among the first blooms to break through the frozen ground after winter, a subtle but powerful signal that the seasons are shifting again. In the same spirit, Hazey’s song carries a gentle sense of hope beneath its reflective tone, reminding listeners that even when warmth feels distant, renewal is already beginning to take root.
