Tired of being told to get married, especially because of money? Need a morale booster – a song to scream to? Well, you’re sure to find this and more in Hayley Marsten’s guitar-drenched anthemic song “I Am A Rich Man,” which is a tribute to CHER’s iconic quote, “I don’t need to marry a rich man, mom, I am a rich man.” We had the pleasure of interviewing Hayley Marsten, and here’s what she had to say:
Q: I love how empowering “I Am A Rich Man” is! How do you hope listeners will respond to it?
MARSTEN: Thank you! I hope that other listeners feel just that, empowered! “I Am A Rich Man” is lifted from my upcoming second album that really is for my younger self, who needed to hear this sentiment. So I hope it reaches young people who were like me then, now.
Q: Could you walk us through your creative and production process for this song?
MARSTEN: I had the idea to write a song around the Cher quote, ‘Mom, I am a rich man’ for a while but it was just never quite right. My good friend Imogen Clark and I sat down for a co-write to work on it and it just flowed out, she was the perfect collaborator! I recorded this new album over about a year with my wonderful production team. I think we spent the most time on nailing “I Am A Rich Man” out of the whole record, especially my vocals. I have never given a vocal performance like this, and it was very far out of my comfort zone but I’m so proud of how the song and the performance ended up.
Q: What is the best gig you’ve ever played? Why?
MARSTEN: I’ve been so lucky to have so many but just a few weeks ago I got to play at CMC Rocks which had a massive 23,000 attendance, I looked out into the audience during the set and there were people with signs with my lyrics on it. I will never forget that one!
Q: In what way(s), do you think your sound has evolved since the beginning of your career?
MARSTEN: I think as I’ve gotten older I’m just more comfortable taking risks. And that really feeds into my music, I would NEVER have written or released a song like “I Am A Rich Man” when I started out because I was so afraid of offending anyone or being too much. Now I think I’d rather be my full self and find my people rather than try to soften my edges for people who will never be in my corner.
Q: Are there any musicians who inspire you? What qualities do you admire in them?
MARSTEN I have been a massive Taylor Swift fan since her first record. I think she is just an incredible songwriter and I love how she takes risks in her own career. I also love Kacey Musgraves and the way she makes country music in her own way.
Q: If not music, what else could you see yourself possibly enjoying as a career?
MARSTEN: Honestly, I’m not very good at much outside of music! Maybe I could be someone’s manager so I can still use my skills or some career where you get paid to shop online? That is my very specific skillset haha!
Interviewed by Zoey King
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