This is the Things We Do podcast, a podcast about film life, television culture, mental
health and all of that fun jazzy stuff.
Today I've got my special guest all the way in Brisbane, my special friend Halle.
Halle.
Hello.
How are you?
I'm good, I'm pretty good thank you.
Can I just say, from listening, I spent a solid week listening to your music.
Not just a day, like a solid week.
That is like, yeah, that's so cool.
It's so good, so good.
And I think it's interesting because I get a lot of vibe of, you know, like when you
listen to music and you sort of just, everyone focuses more on the beat and the rhythm and
everything.
I think what I really focus on your songs particularly is like the songs and the lyrics,
everything about the lyrics.
Because it does feel like very genuine on someone who has this inner turmoil of how
they fit in and then sort of like ticking boxes.
Because I get a sense that like, especially, you know, particularly some of the songs that
are particularly about love are very much like, how do I fit this category?
How do I, you know, and then there's also like a bit of hatred towards situations.
Oh yeah, completely.
You get all the spectrum of emotions with it.
But I'm really cool.
That's really cool that the lyrics stand out to you because that's probably like where
I started by writing, like just with like lyric writing.
And I love it.
That's the thing I hear first in music.
So that's really cool.
Yeah, I think it particularly strikes out with Babysitter, which, you know, like I know,
I know was the one sort of really that skyrocketed you for foremost and forefront.
But it was kind of like, particularly for that song, because I had no idea what that
song was about going in.
So my initial reaction was curiosity and bewilderment.
And then just slowly like I did some background research on it.
And it's just, yeah, it's a very interesting because I've been in relationships like that
where I've had to baby someone or like, you know, literally look after them.
And it's shit.
It sucks.
It sucks so much.
And it's crazy to me the amount of people after I released that song that like related
to it or like felt like they finally had a way to describe what that is.
Like, yeah, it's just the shittest.
Like, no, like having to baby a grown person.
No, it's just not the vibe ever.
It's kind of like also because you know, now that I'm 30 and in a healthy relationship,
which is dear God, it does happen.
Amazing.
I don't know what happened.
Pure luck.
But one of those things that I always think about is like my young self and particularly
like, you know, being that trial and error where you do date people who are absolute
shitheads and you know, and you sort of write because I tended to write a lot of like stories
based on my exes.
Yeah.
So I would I would normally like scribble notes on how to turn them into evil characters.
Oh my god.
I was the worst because you know, like my childhood was just trying to write a story
about everyone that I thought was just not a nice person.
And I still do that now.
Like it's it's kind of amazing because it doesn't really stop.
And I often say this to people because like, you know, we reflect everything and sort of
especially as artists into creative things as as trauma.
And you know, like there is a distinct like thing of how do you how do we express that
self because, you know, it must have been like that when you were a young a young human
to be like singer songwriter.
Like where did this journey start for you?
Like how old were you like when you were like, this is how I'm going to process, I guess,
emotions.
Yeah.
Well, I my first memory of writing a song was when I was seven and I had a big, big
crush on this guy named Jacob.
Yeah, it was massive.
It controlled my whole life in grade two.
And I I wrote a song like I just was like, I don't know, like really why I wrote like
lyrics.
I think I was just like, obviously listen to music and I had this realization that I
could write lyrics and it doesn't have to be like a story or a poem.
I don't know.
And then I just wrote this song called and it was titled I Love You So Much.
I like still have the sheet of paper somewhere where I wrote it down on but it's like, I
want to like run in the clouds with you.
I don't know.
It was just super cheesy.
But I think that's when I realized that I could get out what I'm feeling and especially
if I felt out of control in a situation like that's the place where I could have control
and like reflect on my emotions.
And I don't think I don't know ever since that moment, I kind of used that medium to
release that feeling.
It's like basically journaling but like also in a way that made me feel more excited and
I don't know, I feel like just music in general makes me feel and being able to sing it because
I always loved singing just felt so much more connected spiritually to myself.
And yeah, it was just a really good medium for me.
And like I've basically done it my whole life kind of thing.
Yeah, that's that's nuts.
Like I mean, did you ever sort of see it as something you would ever do as a career?
And you were like, oh, people want to hear my emotions and thoughts?
Yeah, definitely.
I took it out to my parents.
I would have.
I for sure would have.
And I was like, guys, look at this really cool thing I just made.
It's super cool.
And then I would just sing it for them.
I was also like growing up.
My family were all quite creative and like musicians as well on my dad's side and a bit
on my mom's.
And so like, I don't know, every year we'd have Christmas plays and like we'd have full
on like sing, dance, musical numbers and we'd all have a go at writing it and everything.
So like performing was very normal for me.
So I think I always thought I would perform.
Oh, that's awesome.
I mean, like it's kind of one of those things that I think especially, you know, with growing
up, especially in a mass media like conglomerate that we are now.
Do you remember when you first uploaded your first ever song?
Was it independently and you just went upload to YouTube or was it kind of like, did you
do a formal?
No, I did the whole YouTube thing for a bit.
And I think when I was like 13, maybe, I released a song called Come and Go onto YouTube.
Wow.
Yeah.
And just me playing it, you know, with my guitar.
But that was my first release, I guess, now that I'm thinking about it.
Is that still up on YouTube?
I think so.
Yeah.
Oh no.
It's under my full name, but only the people that deep dive will get to find out what my
full name is and find it.
Yeah, that's a secret you will take to your grave.
Yeah.
That's awesome.
Isn't YouTube like, especially like since it became into popularity, the place where
your past goes to die?
Like there's some horrifying points of me when I was 18, but I'm like, no one should
ever see.
Totally.
I think the one, the, you know, the thing that I love is the fact that you had no shame
about going into it, you know, and like not, you know, not second guessing yourself.
Is that being like, has that changed though over time?
Are you kind of like a bit more self conscious about like some of the songs that you write
or are you kind of like still very much in that vein of I want people to hear them all?
I do definitely have a level of self confidence and self assurance that I know that I, like
I feel confident in myself and my abilities, but like obviously, yeah, like there's always,
especially when it became a business and it became monetized and you know, like coming
out of high school, I feel like it was really easy to be the best or like the like very
part of the scene.
And then suddenly there's a million people doing what you do.
And like, I think it's hard not to compare and to remember that you're like an individual
and special in your own way.
And I feel like I lost myself a bit like through just before COVID kind of, I was like, what
am I doing and what even is my music anymore?
I didn't really feel like writing much because I like didn't feel as passionate because it
just felt like it, you know, I had to prove something or write for someone else.
But I got back, I got back this year, I think a bit, but that's those insecurities will
always be there.
I feel like, but it's just like the way I manage them and the self talk, the conversations
I have with myself.
Are you a talk out loud kind of person?
Sometimes for sure.
Yeah, actually I am.
I really am.
No, I'm just realizing that I'll talk to myself in the mirror when I feel down and I'm trying
to give myself a pep talk.
I love that.
Yeah.
I'm the same.
I used to do that all the time.
I used to like as a young kid, entertain myself by talking to myself.
And that was kind of like how I dealt with a lot of like, you know, childhood angst and
everything.
Yeah.
It does help.
Yeah.
And you're just like, it's kind of a reminder for me that it's like, I don't know, like
everyone's here, but really it's just you.
And you can just be like friends with yourself or give yourself support.
Like I think it's cool.
Yeah.
And it goes back to that sort of like where we're constantly churning and stuff because,
you know, obviously, you know, monetization and, you know, like, you know, like gain is
important to, you know, keep living and keep running.
But at the same time, we do everything for the love of, you know, passion and art and
what we want to tell.
Yeah.
And it's reminding ourselves that to be grounded, especially in, I guess, the social media bubble
as well, because, you know, the one thing I notice, you know, especially is the comparison
that, you know, like, I think particularly like, you know, when you start ideas or you
start anything and you go, oh, well, someone else has already done it.
So why should I do it?
Like someone else is clearly doing it.
And it goes back to that individualism of like what makes my opinion so special and
my like thought process so special.
Yeah.
I think, like, do you find that you take periodic breaks from social media to kind of like step
away and not let yourself kind of go into this like big social media bubble?
I don't.
Or I never have yet.
Yeah.
Maybe it'd be good for me.
I also just haven't found a time where I don't need social media for my business.
Like I haven't really had a proper stint or time off where I can allow myself to do that
almost.
And it's definitely something I want to do soon because I'm starting to feel the burnout
and I feel like it would be really nice.
But I also, I don't know, I feel like there's when I'm on social media, I'm trying more
so to just be like frame it as a business thing now.
And that's kind of how I help myself not to compare too much, I guess.
Yeah, I don't know.
Do you take the times off social media?
I try to.
Not as well as I should.
I'm in the same boat where I like, you know, constantly have to promote like the podcast
or, you know, like little bits and bobs.
So it's like my brain goes into, as long as I'm doing something to brand, then that's
my excuse.
But I do think it comes down to that, like, it is good to sort of have that switch off
period.
And it's why I like, I embrace, you know, it's the difference as well between like working
holidays and holidays.
Like the excitement of, there's only a little bit of excitement of a working holiday because
the moment you actually get home, you're more exhausted than when you left.
Totally.
Like I imagine you, because you just got off tour.
Like how was your fatigue like when you got home?
I'm still exhausted.
I also, and I think it's a thing lots of musicians talk about, but I feel the post tour blues.
And just like, it's so weird when you like plan for something for so long and there's
so much like chaos and then you just come home and it's like stopped and it's like the
air's still and you're like, this is weird.
So I'm definitely going through that as we speak.
But yeah, I don't know, the fatigue's a real thing.
Yeah.
I think it like hits me like a brick.
But you know, then I think now that it's Christmas time, I'm looking forward to just like that
Christmas period break or I can not think about it.
Have you got like time off around, do you always make sure you have time off around
certain parts of the year?
Yeah, I definitely around Christmas I will have time off, but I'm also releasing an EP
early next year.
So I'm like, you know, still got to work really hard until then.
Is that basically still in recording phase or is it sort of in mixing phase at the moment
for you?
Oh, it's all done.
Oh wow.
Yeah.
I'm really excited to release it.
Yeah, but like it's more so you know, all the prep around a release as big as a body
of work, you know?
And because everyone goes away for Christmas, everyone has their break, you got to kind
of be prepared for that, you know, like to do it before that, I guess.
Yeah.
Because I mean, like, does this sort of EP, like, especially for you, encapsulate a moment
for you, you know, because I know, I know it's about love, but you know, what's the
biggest thing, do you think this slice of life is going to feel for you, maybe even
like five or 10 years?
Yeah, I feel like it's such a timestamp of like, a year of my life, probably ending,
like, yeah, beginning of this year, like, like, I don't know, it's, it's, it's kind
of my whole journey with kind of, I don't know, like coming out of like, a really serious
relationship that where I was really in love, and then like, heartbreak and finding myself
again, and exploring my queerness again.
So it's like, it's just such a little like, pocket of my life where I like feel like I'll
look back on in five or 10 years and be like, oh, that was such a pivot point for me.
Yeah, so it's really special that I get to put it out there.
Like I, I'm so proud of it.
I'm so excited.
I can't wait to hear it.
I've got like, like the pre-order on my Apple iTunes, so you know.
Oh, sick!
It's sitting there.
Thank you.
It's okay.
But I mean, like, one of the, one of the things as well, you know, because I know how much
you heavily talk about queerness as well, and you know, like, when did you find out
in yourself that you identified as queer?
Like how old were you when you kind of went, this is who I am?
Yeah, well, I didn't clock it.
And like when I say I didn't clock it, because I'm so, I'm pansexual.
So I dated a lot of like, men experience a lot of heteronormative relationships and still
really enjoyed them.
So I feel like I didn't really have the, the realization until I met a woman that I liked.
And then I was like, oh my God, no way.
And then I met her first year uni.
And then I was like, oh, true.
Like, I think I might be queer.
Yeah, and then I like had that relationship.
And I think from then on, like, I kind of realized, realized that that was kind of to
18.
And I kissed her on my 18th birthday.
It was super dramatic.
Oh, that's really cute.
So you two date dated for a while or?
Yeah, we did.
We did.
It was a typical kind of lesbian intense couple of months and then it ends.
But it was it had to happen and it was great.
Yeah, I'm still I'm still friends with her.
Like it's all it's all G. Oh, that's great.
Yeah, yeah.
I love that you just say it's lesbian intense, you know, because that is that is clearly
like one of my really good friends had a similar situation where she discovered her queerness
and dated a girl and they're still together.
Oh, lovely.
Like, yeah, I remember you didn't see them for like three months.
Yeah.
It's like MIA, especially when you first realized that it's like the feeling is like, no way.
And you're like, so into it.
You don't want to think about anything else because you're like, this is so cool.
What the hell?
Yeah.
Especially being that young, you know, like, especially like, you know, people coming out
now and you know, because I didn't I didn't realize my own sexuality until I was about
26.
Oh, wow.
That was a long process.
And it wasn't for the fact that it was just because I was so I worked in a lot of heteronormative
like, you know, departments and places.
So it was very standardized to be like, you know, this is what you are.
Yeah.
And and liking men is is weird.
That was that was the norm.
So I think, you know, it's funny now being on the other the other foot and just being
like, oh, yeah, whatever.
But yeah, until I was 26, it was kind of just like I knew guys and I had gay guys and stuff.
And they'd always been like, no, you clearly like men.
Same with all my best friends.
Same with everyone.
They were just like, there's something like, why aren't you clocking this?
We've all clocked it.
So I think I think it's one of those things that I'm glad you discovered at 18, because
my cousin's kid who goes by they them have also discovered their queerness.
And they're 12.
Oh, I'm like, I wish I had that.
That is amazing.
And it's like, honestly, times are changing, because I hear more and more stories of that
from like, my friends, younger siblings being like, Yeah, I think I'm bisexual.
And it's just super casual.
Yeah, it's so exciting to see because even like, I don't know, I was in high school like
six years ago, maybe.
I don't know.
And like, that was not something like there were a couple of queer people at my school.
And that was crazy.
Yeah.
And it's so cool to see that it's so normalized now.
I think it also for me in particular, like it was kind of like a huge stress off my mental
health.
And you know, like, and pretending I wasn't somebody else.
Because I find like, it's the great thing when you sort of hear, you know, people because
it's funny as well.
Because I think, particularly Sydney, I think there's pockets of Sydney, which, you know,
I love Sydney, but it has pockets where there's just a lot of we heteronormative people.
And I'm like, what is it about?
Especially Australia?
Like, what is it about Australian people who think that is normal?
I know.
And like, we, my partner is amazing.
And like, we chat about it on a regular basis about, you know, like things that, you know,
we want to tell our parents and then things that we don't.
But obviously, like, yeah, it's it's funny, because I know, I know some family members
who will just refuse, like, even if if, you know, like, people want to change their names
or anything like that, they're like, nah, you know, it doesn't matter what they want.
It's not what's proper.
And I'm like, that's so bizarre that I think in this modern, like 2022 society, that we
still think that rigid regimented lifestyle is normal.
And especially what queer actually means.
I know.
It's so interesting that people think that because you're queer, you have to wear colors.
Totally.
I remember the first time I dyed my hair, everyone was like, you're gay.
And like, why, why do I just have to be gay?
Right?
Totally.
Yeah.
That's so interesting.
My brother's straight.
And whenever he dyes his hair, everyone's like, oh, you're gay.
And he's like, well, I mean, it doesn't matter.
But like, yeah, no.
Like it's that's such a good point.
Because is it just the two of you?
Yeah.
So who's the oldest?
So you've got all the Kremlin of Krem.
You can kind of tease him.
Yeah.
Oh yeah.
I'll be.
I love that.
But it's interesting because my older brother is very straight.
I think I've always been the one who I was like, I always knew.
And I think I remember being about like six, six or seven being like, what if I liked this
and what if I did this?
And I think it was like, you know, my mother's amazing now.
But I think back then when it was like, you know, late nineties, early two thousands,
she was like, but I know you like girls.
Yeah, totally.
Did you ever like what because your family was so creative, did you sort of like how
did you discover yourself with a very easy process?
Were your family always very supportive?
Yes.
So back on my brother, he's the best.
But my parents always would like sit us down and have these chats growing up when we were
in like late primary into high school and be like, just so you know, guys, like if you're
ever gay, that's OK, you can tell us.
And I was always there like, I'm so into men, like what, whatever.
But they used to say it because they thought my brother was gay.
And then I, yeah, then I was shocked them all.
And then I would just said, oh, I'm dating a girl now.
And then just kind of explained that I don't think it's one or the other.
I think it's just both.
And they were like, and then my brother was like to my dad, oh, you owe me five bucks.
And they already placed bets on it.
So I think they had a feeling that this friend that I was bringing over wasn't a friend.
So yeah, I was quite lucky.
Only with my grandma did I have some issues there.
Like she wouldn't vote for gay marriage, things like that.
But I also feel like that generation, like those expectations are just unrealistic, I
think.
I think it comes out of like religious status or, you know.
Exactly.
Yeah, it's, I think, I think it's like, I also just felt it was very ridiculous that,
you know, the government didn't just go straight to the board.
We're just going to legalise this.
It has to be a voting system, which, you know, even then divided the country a fair, fair
little while.
I know.
And it's so weird.
It's so weird.
And it's also like, you know, people like us, you know, who talk so openly about, about
stuff like this, like, what the plebiscite was only like six years ago or something like
that.
It wasn't that long.
Yeah.
And now we're just all kind of like living this, you know, still kind of dream, but there's
still a lot of like, you know, I guess, critiques and, and decisions about how people live.
Like have you, have you managed to avoid the haters of, of like your identity throughout
your life?
I think initially when I first, yeah, came out as, I wouldn't say coming up, but when
I first realised I was queer, I was really naive to it.
And I thought everything was just like really fine.
Like, like I was like, yeah, this is so cool.
Like, or whatever.
And yeah, as I've gotten older, I've definitely noticed more so the microaggressions within
just having more of a platform.
And I don't know, just the way people treat you.
I don't know.
Yeah.
I've definitely experienced, like, I wouldn't say I've had, I have had hate on things like
my body hair and stuff on TikTok.
What?
Yeah.
I think it's just bizarre because I'm like, I just forget.
Sometimes I'm like, I must be living in a bubble because who cares about armpit hair?
Like it's so weird.
Yeah.
But that's like the kind of hate I've received and not so much for being, you know, went
for when my music videos have like a woman or an aphab in them, I don't experience it
so directly like that.
But I also feel like that's the way, I don't know, homophobic people work in Australia.
I feel like it is microaggressions.
Sorry, I'm going on a tangent with this now.
No, I love it.
I love it.
Give it to me.
But I also think because I am, a lot of the time, femme appearing, like people treat me
differently because they think I am straight.
Yeah.
So I feel like in a way it feels really invalidating, but it also is lucky because I have it.
I haven't experienced as much of that hatred directly.
Yeah.
I don't know.
It's, it's, oh my God.
No, I did experience, sorry.
I had an article written about me recently that was saying that my, my, I played Big
Sound in September and that my, my presentation was this weird fake queer.
I was trying to be queer or something, but it didn't hit the mark and it was like this
straight cis van riding about it.
And I was like, yeah, that I did, I have experienced it quite recently.
Oh my God.
Yeah.
But yeah, that's like, that's kind of my journey with it.
Wow.
Why does it only come from cis white men?
Why is it only, um, it's like, I think, I think it was over to, you know, like particularly
to me, it's very often like a lot of the times I'll sign off emails with my pronouns and
everything and like, you know, but I, I'm like you most of the time I just present very
like heteronormative because it's like day to day life.
And then like, um, you know, when I paint my fingernails and stuff, I kind of like,
I remember there was a bit of time where I was like, Oh no, I, oh, my friend did that.
Like, you know, it wasn't, it wasn't me.
It wasn't like, it couldn't have been me.
And it was all like sort of like trying to usher away kind of like that, that weird hatred.
But um, you know, like the conversations I think also that I have on a regular basis,
like at the, at the moment, um, we're like my partner and I, we're deciding on engagement
rings because we're getting engaged and it's very exciting.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
That's cool.
So cool.
But I mean, like we're, we're looking on Etsy and then like looking at like rings and a
lot of them are just, you know, like if you get a masculine ring and I'm doing this in
very big quotation marks, um, they're like very thick rings.
And if you get feminine rings, they're like dainty and pretty.
And I'm like, we both just want like pretty and simple.
And we're like, it doesn't matter.
And it's so interesting that even like rings, like, uh, such a go to a jewelers and they're
like, Oh, you want a man's ring.
So therefore here's the man's selection.
Totally.
And this is what I mean about the micro things.
Like they're the most detrimental things because people don't notice them as much.
No, I mean, like, you know, particularly because your, your music videos, especially like your,
your outfits, which I love.
Thank you.
Who does I, do you decide on your own outfits when you do a music video?
Yeah, I've been more passionate about it lately.
So I've been styling myself.
It's been fun.
I love it.
I love, um, you know, the, the recent, you know, uh, love music video, which was, I had
a good local watch of that and that was quite fun.
Oh, thank you.
How long does it take to film one of those?
Oh my God.
This one, it takes a while.
Like, so this one, all the footage got lost after the first day of shooting.
Yeah, it was devastating.
I, it took like, it was like a full, full day, like a, like a 12 hour day to shoot it.
And like the pre-planning is hectic, you know, you got to make sure you have every light
right organized.
Every person has all their props, like, you know, you know how it be.
Just lots of stuff.
And I was very in charge of that process because I wrote it all.
And so it was, it was stressful and then all the footage got lost.
Anyway, so this one took a little bit longer to shoot, um, like two full days.
Um, it, yeah, it's just such a process to get every angle and like, but I love it.
I love shooting music videos.
Cause I've, I've watched, I, I think like each one has a very distinct vibe and, um,
and kind of like, I love the ones probably like do it is also a great, great one, even
though like there's a lot of string involved in that one.
There's a lot.
Do you like symbolism?
Is that a thing that you drive for in your music videos?
Oh, for sure.
Yeah.
Um, well, I feel like for do it, that felt appropriate.
Yeah.
Um, like for symbolism kind of, but like the string was like meant to be kind of like a
maze slash laser beam kind of thing.
If you can imagine like that I had to get through to get to the other side.
Yeah.
So it's like a simple, I guess of my imposter syndrome in my queerness kind of, um, and
orange is like got its own like representation there cause it was orange string anyway, you
know how that all goes.
But yeah, I loved that.
Um, cause I, I think that one of the things that I always vibe about your music videos
as well is it's sort of like a hits me with nostalgia for like early 2000s music videos.
And it's so much, it's very, I want to say lovely and simple.
There's a distinct simpleness about them as well.
Cause it's like, you know, it's a lot of the time they're sort of like pretty self-contained
storylines.
Um, and I think that's what makes them quite interesting because when you have a lot of
like, um, going on, you really kind of like, you know, you're tuning into the performance
of the artist more than I guess all these like side characters.
Cause um, my partner is a massive fan of Taylor Swift.
So we watch a lot of her music videos.
And they're like, she's great.
I love Taylor, but it's like, you know, like this insane elaborate, um, music videos.
And I think, you know, what, what drives me about like particularly yours is it feels
like early 2000s where, you know, um, your budgets kind of like, you know, a bit in between
and everything is like, okay, well, what can we do with like a room or what can we do with
a couple of rooms?
Like, you know, let's make something.
And I love that sort of ground feel up of, you know, um, you know, just everyone sort
of feeling like this vibe and it's, it's very kind of like, yeah, listening to your music
just like throws me back to when I was like 10 or 12.
Honestly love that.
Do you, are you a big fan of like particularly like any sort of era of music?
I mean, isn't it obvious?
I did the 2000s.
Um, yeah.
And I just love all the aesthetic of that era.
Like, you know, just Avril and Britney, I don't know, there was just so much good stuff
happening then.
I'm like, I want to bring it back.
And also all the movies from that era, you know, lots of them are problematic, but we
skim past that.
And and like, it's just, it evokes such a happiness and a nostalgia for me when I watch
them and it's such a comfort zone.
And I feel like I, I just love it.
So I definitely, that's why it's very present in my, in my stuff.
Also the feeling of nostalgia is just like one of my favorite feelings.
So I just wanted to evoke that for people, I think.
Yeah, I love it.
I think it's like, what I love is the Avril Lavigne kind of angle because all I think
is, um, you know, um, girlfriend, the song, girlfriend and stuff like that, where it's
just, you know, years, years of being a kid listening to that on repeat.
Um, and you know, and Britney Spears and everything.
And I just think that I kind of miss that era of like music where everyone's kind of
just doing this weird vibe, but it's also like sparkly outfits or kind of insane flared
pants.
Can I also say though that the sparkly flared pants look great on you.
That is, that is a look.
Thank you.
Do you often go to Vinnie's and try on most of their outfits?
Um, I love Vinnie's, um, but this one was already in my cupboard this fit.
Really?
Oh yeah.
I had it from like a couple years ago for some like shoot, I don't even know, like uni
shoot thing I did for a friend.
And then I was like, oh my God, it's the perfect outfit.
But yeah, I love Vinnie's, love Vinnie's.
Do you like, have you got a massive closet at home where you just like have heaps of
clothes these days?
Um, my closet, I wouldn't call it small.
Um, but I think, yeah, it, look, I've got a lot of costume stuff in there.
You just never know.
You just don't.
When did you, you know how like, you know, people probably say you have a vibe, especially
with like, you know, your coloured hair and everything sort of changing, like particularly
all the time, um, in press release photos or publicity photos.
Do you, do you feel like there's an advantage of people not always, you know, recognising
you when you walk on the street?
Do you feel like people won't always recognise you?
I feel like my hair colour doesn't change that much.
Like the orange is the new vibe.
And then before that it was like this weird ombre for like two years.
Oh really?
Yeah, I'm pretty sure.
Oh, you're right.
I had the pink stage.
Yeah.
And that was specifically for Lava Girl Halloween costume.
So I forgot about that.
Yeah, you're right.
Um, but I don't know.
Like, I feel like I'm done at the stage of being recognised on this street all the time,
but I feel like surely it wouldn't change my look that much.
No.
Look, honestly, I'll get back to you in a couple of years when that's an issue.
Yeah, please keep me updated because I'm genuinely intrigued.
I want to move us on to mental health as well because you know, I know you're a big talker
about mental health.
Like how do you deal with, I guess, like with the touring and with the, you know, like emotional
keeping yourself together all the time, you know, because there must be an emotional overload.
Are you one person who decompresses by yourself or how do you sort of like choose to decompress?
Like to be honest, I'm still working this all out.
Um, I don't have answers yet fully.
I don't like do people find answers eventually, like fully?
I don't know.
But I, um, I, yeah, like I think, you know, just getting back into touring as well after
having a couple of years off because of obviously COVID.
It's just kind of working out those routines again, or like what is good for me and stuff.
I definitely, I'm an extrovert, but I need, I've realized as of recent, I need my time
alone to reflect and connect with myself as I feel like everyone does.
But yeah, I don't know touring, like definitely it takes it out of you.
And it's like hard when you're in so many different places to try and feel grounded,
I guess, or like feel at home.
And I think it's like trying to, I don't know.
I feel like my main goal is to just try and connect with myself and trust myself as much
as possible so that when I am touring, you know, I can find that comfort with me, but
yeah, I'm still working it out.
I think
I love that.
I mean, it's look, I'll tell you, I'm 30 and I still haven't walked all the secrets.
I don't think anyone really does.
I think it's like, um, it's a constant journey to work out what works for you and what doesn't
work for you.
Um, it's one of those things I feel like, you know, I sort of like diary to myself now,
you know, I sort of realized particularly with 2020, I sort of was, went from an extroverted
life to a very introverted life.
And that caused me to kind of like really reflect a lot of my mental health and everything
and you know, um, how, how all my thoughts circulated.
And you know, one of the, one of the biggest challenges was, you know, living on my own,
which, you know, for that, for the first two years of the pandemic.
So I really learned how to deal with myself, especially in crisis mode, um, how like my
panic attacks and stuff like that would, you know, formulate, um, because I didn't have
that support network all the time.
So you do kind of develop defense mechanisms and, or, um, you know, but are you, are you
like, do you currently, um, are you back at home with your parents or are you kind of
living out at home at the moment?
No, I live, um, with housemates or like my best friends, basically.
Um, basically all the ones that were in the love music video, um, I live with.
Um, yeah, but I, yeah, I don't know.
Like living out of home is also like, I've been out of home for two years now.
I don't know why I still say it like that, but I, yeah, it's just like, I feel like it's
really that step up of like, I don't know, I'm 23 and I feel like it's the prime time
people talk about where just like you're working out what is going on.
Like, I just feel like me and all my friends are just kind of like, what, like what is
going on right now?
I don't know.
Um, and still trying to find rhythms in our life that work for us.
It's kind of like that exploration stage where you're like trialing all these different things
that might work for you to help you better yourself or to, to help, you know, as a tool
that you can use, um, but it's like kind of trialing them all.
It's trial and error stage, I feel.
And then you find a couple and you keep them and then you, I don't know if that makes sense,
but I feel like that's what right now feels like.
Yeah.
I love that.
I think that makes sense.
Good.
I think it's also like, you know, particularly I like that sort of theory that you're throwing,
you know, like things and tools that might not work for you, but trialing them anyway
because I feel like the, the, you know, problem, especially because I, I, as much as I love
working, I do get overwhelmed sometimes when like chaos happens, you know, and I thrive
on chaos, but I also get overwhelmed.
It's one of those two, like double-edged swords situations.
I'm the same.
Yeah.
So it's like things could be going right one day and then suddenly things could still be
going right the next day, but I might feel like they're all going wrong and everything
that I've approached is bad or terrible or, you know, like the way my brain is operating
in this system is just going, this is the worst thing since, you know, because it's
not up to this weird perfection level that I have in my head.
Like are you, are you very much that like little voice in your head going, it's got
to be here rather than just being sort of content sometimes with what it is.
Totally.
I mean, and you're right.
Like it depends on the day.
Like some days I'll wake up and I'll be like, oh my God, this is, I'm killing it.
Everything's great.
Like everything's fantastic.
I couldn't want any more from this.
And then I wake up the next day and be like, wow, like I've really just dropped the ball.
Like nothing sounds good.
Nothing feels good.
Like, yeah.
So I definitely like, it's confusing that back and forth as well.
Like it feels like whiplash.
Yeah.
I definitely get that and put that perfectionism is so annoying, but it's so present.
I feel like it's, it's so, um, that hard to know when the right time to let go is as well,
because especially in creative stuff, you could just go forever.
Yeah.
Like there's not really an end point.
It's like knowing when to cut off and just stop and be like, this is enough.
This is great.
It's kind of hard sometimes.
Yeah.
It's a hundred percent.
It's hard.
And I think, you know, I, I think also particularly it's like some days when I wake up and especially
I just know then, you know, whether my mood and I've had that thing where, you know, like
you wake up and everyone thinks you're an awful person because you've had a bad day
or you've, you're not in the mood.
Totally.
I think that's sort of like the challenge that I have with mental health, because what
I have is like a depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which if most
people don't know, it basically means that I get hyper-focused or I completely can emotionally
lose interest in things.
Right.
Okay.
And it can, it can fluctuate.
Like the little things can fluctuate and stuff, but it is very like, um, I think a lot of
people who don't have it diagnosed or you, you know, haven't had treatment for it, it
can have more severe effects.
Luckily I was caught when I was five, but, um, the depression like happened much later
in life and I think was partially genetics and partly because of that.
So it was like, um, and you know, trigger warning for anyone who is listening, it's
going to get really real.
But, um, yeah, it was like a lot of my, um, you know, teenage years and stuff where we're
dealing with like, you know, um, you know, suicidal thoughts and, you know, and depression
and everything like that.
So I feel that that always came out of perfectionism.
Right.
Yep.
Uh, you know, like that, that sort of comparing yourself to your peers and you know, well,
these, you know, cause I think with ADHD, I didn't do as curriculally as well as other
students because my strengths lied in more creative things, but because the way school
was structured, it was academically based.
You know, it was like, if you're going to do school, you want to become an academic
or at least a, you know, uh, an English major.
And I was like, no, I want to be in either an actor or a musician or, or like, uh, theater,
you know, creator or like something like that.
I wanted to be in some sort of capacity to be a creator.
Like did you find with, you know, with yourself, especially in your teenage years, like when
did you, you realize, did you have a divide as well with school and the curriculum that's
structured?
I don't know.
I, I, my high school was like, I actually performed quite well, to be honest.
I, um, I didn't like school, but I thought I had to do really well.
So I worked really hard, which is kind of just like, like looking back, I'm like, like,
for instance, to get into my uni course, it was an audition, but I still really thought
I needed to work hard to prove something to someone.
And I feel like it's similar, it kind of shows that perfectionism vibe.
Um, but I think, you know, because I didn't have ADHD or something, it was like, I, I
just put that in, but then didn't really get to write or be creative as much as I wanted.
And although I like did music and drama, like it's still, I wasn't getting that fixed because,
you know, it's still curriculum based.
Um, I don't even really know where I was in high school.
Like looking back, I'm just like, like, it's such a bizarre period for me that I just feel
like I kind of zoned out and did what I was told.
And then like stepping out of high school, I'm like, oh, why did I do think I had to
do that?
Yeah.
I don't know.
Like I was almost like, thought I had to be this really good girl.
Like that was my experience with it anyway.
Um, and not step on anyone's toes also because I'm a massive people pleaser.
I was really, yeah, fully.
Um, yeah.
So that was my high school experience.
I think.
So do you, do you kind of look, cause I'm really intrigued about this, but do you kind
of look back at your younger self and sort of see the same person or do you see elements
of that person now?
I see, I think I see the same person kind of a definite actually elements, but I think
I see that I was trying all that.
I was there, but like, I was so stuck in something like, like holding myself back kind of.
It's like, I was like inside there and there were elements of me that were present, but
like, you know, just high school is cruel too.
So like, I feel like you can never fully flourish and be like your full self in that environment,
um, without like judgment and backlash.
Um, so yeah, I do.
I do see them.
I think I see it more in my inner child meaning more so when I was really young, I see Halle
that I kind of am now or like heading towards, I guess.
Yeah.
I, I love that.
I think, um, did you get particularly bullied in high school as well?
No.
Um, I was bullied in primary school a bit, but like, okay, I went to an all girls school
and people were just mean.
And if you didn't fit in, you, you, like, I, I don't know if I, I like, I wasn't uncool
and I'm only using these terms because that's just the high school terminology.
Yeah.
You get it?
Um, and I wasn't uncool, but I, I was like going to these parties, but I never fit in
at them.
So I was kind of left out in that realm, if that makes sense.
Like I was invited and going, but like I never, I was always judged because there was something
that was like a bit different.
I don't know.
It's, it was, it's weird.
It's like things I still need to unpack because high school is just random.
I, I, I don't know if this ever happened to you, but I remember like when everyone was
organizing a house party and it was always a big thing.
Like everyone was like, go to this house.
And I always just like, whenever I went to house parties, I thought it would, I don't
know, it was me, but I just felt they were the most boring thing ever.
I know, completely.
I don't know.
I didn't fit.
I didn't fit being a teenager.
I fit more being an adult than I ever did in my teenage years.
For some reason, I think puberty just did me a one-off.
Made me go, fuck it.
You know, but, but I think being an adult, especially when you get rid of that curriculum
of what's cool and you know, who's, you know, who's hot and who's attractive and all that
bullshit that teenagers talk about, it's very easy to be like, just appreciate everyone
for individuality.
Exactly.
Yeah.
And, and it's funny because I'm sure there's people out there who just go, oh, Hallie's
really cool.
And you know, and the coolest person ever who have never met you, who have never like,
you know, and, and assume, assume knowledge.
Like this is the wonderful world of internet, but it's, it's so surreal because I think
like one friend in particular said to me is like, I've learned more about you through
doing your podcast than, you know, ever ask, really asking because I don't feel like people
actually ask us who we are as individuals.
Like they don't go, well, who's the real you?
Because you know, from a social media point of view, we, we just want to obsess over,
over the, over the person and the idea of the person.
Are you, do you like being quite transparent?
Or, you know, especially with your socials and what you appreciate.
Definitely.
I like, I want to be as honest and transparent as possible.
The only issue is that like, like sometimes you can just feel like you're putting it out
there and then you, you're, you're not getting any validation back or anything.
So you're just kind of like, uh, like putting your heart on the line and then for what?
Like, but also then, and then I just, I do like to do it because I think it's important
when I feel like I'm in the mental space or the position to do so, to open up dialogue
in whatever way so that other people can feel like they can be open and you know, I think
it's just, it's just good.
But yeah, sometimes it feels a bit vulnerable, I guess.
Yeah.
Cause I, you strike me as a person who wears their heart on their sleeve.
Yeah, you could say that.
Yeah, for sure.
I enjoy, I do enjoy being honest when I'm in the mood.
Yes.
I mean, like it, I always say it's the thing as well, which is I choose to be honest with,
you know, like you choose to be honest with certain people and you know, and it's not,
I feel like nowadays it's less if I'm in the mood and more of I, if someone's honest with
me, I'll be honest with them.
Totally.
What's that saying of like, um, uh, I'll give you respect if you give me respect or vice
versa because respect is earned.
And I, it's a very funny thing because I feel like there's, I've become less of a people
pleaser now as I've gotten older and I'm like, I think it's also because, you know, like
particularly like I have all the time in the world for you because you are so transparent
and you are so honest.
But that's like, I haven't done anything to warrant you being so honest, but I love that
already.
So I'm like happy to give you like tenfold.
Totally.
But it's funny when people don't do that because if they're not honest or they're not like,
you know, you want to hold yourself back a little bit and not be as vulnerable.
Do you, do you worry as well, you know, particularly now, um, with becoming more and more famous
and, and more and more in the limelight that people are going to take what you say out
of context and try and twist the world.
To be honest, I hadn't thought about this until last night.
Um, Oh, I thought about it a bit, but I really thought about last night cause I watched Selena
Gomez's new documentary.
Have you seen it?
Oh my God.
I was raved about that and I fucking love it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Okay.
So good.
Um, so honest about her journey with mental health.
Like I just, I thought it was so, um, honest.
Whoa.
Yeah.
Like we were saying and, um, yeah.
And then last night I just, I just saw in this documentary and I already had awareness
around this and like, but like, like just how much people took things out of context
or just made things up, like fully just pulled out of their ass, like not even factual.
And it just sucks because then it's just not the truth of then Selena's reading this already
in a bad mental state.
Anyway, I just, I, it baffles me that humans do that.
But so last night I had the fear.
Yeah.
And I was sitting there with my friend Sasha also is in music and I was like, Oh God.
Like this, this sucks.
Like at this level, that would just be intense.
Yeah.
I think I, you know, and I'll, I'll, I'll try and put you at ease, but like everything,
everything that you do send the podcast is also like, you know, I want it to be open
and honest about you and how you feel comfortable, but because it's sort of one of those things
that I guess, um, I created this for that very reason.
And I think it kind of baffled me that we had this so backwards view of how we treated,
you know, celebrity or royalty to games and, and jokes and how messed up a massive amount
of pressure is, um, to, to appeal to people.
And I think I like, it took me a while to watch that doc, because it was actually like
really partly quite triggering for me.
Yeah.
So like I had to pause it.
I think every like 15, 20 minutes to just kind of like recheck my head and go, okay,
well I'm, I'm still here.
So fair.
Yeah.
But I mean, like, you know, it's, it's also like particularly you checking in on yourself
on a daily basis because, um, you know, like you, you know, you, you were very transparent
with me with via message to check in of how you're feeling and let me know how you're
feeling.
Like do you, when do you know that it's a safe space for you to be honest and open with
people?
Like, when do you feel like you're in the right zone to be very transparent?
To be honest, when I, I think when I know that they're queer, I am some reason, I don't
know.
I don't know.
I just am like, cool.
Like they gonna understand me a bit more automatically, probably a bad assumption, but like, it's
just, it's just how I feel.
Cause the queer community is a safe space for queers, obviously.
Yeah.
And also like, I think, I don't know, sometimes I feel like I like to assume that people are
good and people will get it.
And that I can be honest with them.
And if they don't get it, that can't be my problem.
I don't know.
But like, obviously it's a hard thing to tackle, but it's like, like trying to, but then, then
again, sometimes I do that and then I'm left with an open wound and like, you know, and
then I'm like, oh, why was I vulnerable?
But I like to assume the best in people, I guess.
I mean, I always use like social media as well.
And I think I always try and like be arms wide open kind of person because it's, you
know, especially, but I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt, which is
like, be kind, be considerate.
And it's funny because I think like there's, there's often a time where I see people act
like, you know, it goes back to when you're an adult and people start acting like teenagers
and you do start, you know, start mistreating each other.
And I'm like, what is the point?
Yeah, I know.
Like, you know, we're all, we're all coexisting.
And I think the thing that I automatically love about your passion and your, you know,
I guess online presence as well is you seem automatically so genuine.
Oh, I'm glad.
Yeah.
And, and, and the transparency and everything, but it's, it's just, you're so excited and
kind, and kind and warm.
And I think that comes across more often than, you know, like a lot of people would probably,
you know, just with social media platforms, you just come across as a very genuine person.
Oh, cool.
Yeah.
I try and be genuine on there.
That's good.
No, that's really good.
Yeah.
I'm actually really glad to hear that.
I mean, I think it, I was like sitting there the other day going, I can't wait to chat
to you.
Aww.
And talk random shit.
It's going to be great.
Yeah, I'm having a great time.
Yeah.
I'm glad.
You sort of like feel, especially, you know, when you look at social media and everything,
and I think, you know, we look at, we look at people all the time on social media and
they do have that sort of like non-genuine glaze.
And I've met people in the queer community who are very hostile as well, unfortunately.
Like not everyone's as forgiving.
And totally.
I think it's, what's that thing of just being like, you know, one of my friends was like,
you clearly haven't dated enough guys to know.
And I've had those comments thrown at me and stuff like that.
I'm like, don't think that.
That's like the biphobia shit.
Yeah.
No.
People are like, well, you haven't, like, shut up.
I know, right?
What's, why are you having an opinion on it anyway?
Yeah, I'm sorry.
But it's also interesting because I'm very enthusiastic and I think my hyper excitability
is things that people don't know how to deal with.
And I often find that incredibly frustrating because it's like, well, I haven't done anything
different and it's not like I'm being like super, you know, out of the ordinary.
But I do find that because of the way like social media travels now and, you know, and
word of mouth travels, I think in particular.
People just automatically go, that person's weird, so don't associate.
Have you ever had that, like, particularly now when you get excited about things or have
you had like people sort of say things to your face that you were kind of like, that's
uncalled for or kind of unnecessary?
I get, you know what I get a lot?
Well, this is the first thing that popped into my head, not specifically with queerness,
but so many times after shows people will say like, yeah, from like the look of your
socials, like, I thought I wouldn't like your music.
But then no, I do really like it now.
And I'm like, okay, cool.
Or like, they'll be like, I thought you were just really fake, but like you're actually
just like this in real life.
Yeah.
Which is such a weird thing to get.
I don't know, perception is so weird.
People will just perceive you forever.
I love that also, both your impressions of people sound like valley girls, like from
California.
That's so true.
That's so silly as well, because lots of time, like men or like AMAPs are the ones that say
this to me.
So I'm like, yeah, don't know why I put that voice on.
I think I think it's like it must be frustrating as well as being, you know, with a femme appearance
and you know, everything, it must be very frustrating because people must just always
be like how you look and base everything off how you look rather than some of the music,
especially with men.
Do you find that frustrating?
Oh yeah, so frustrating.
And I've like, obviously had the thoughts of like wearing different things to stop that,
but I don't want to.
Like, and then I'm like, no, I shouldn't have to do that.
But yeah, like definitely just get sexualized and heckled and people will ask for photos
with me and then like just touch me a bit too much.
I don't know, and it just gets a bit like, it's just gross.
And I, yeah, and I've had lots of like, I don't know, just lots of weird instances,
obviously as every AFAB experiences, like it's just gross.
But I think definitely also the like, oh, you're not actually queer because you look
so feminine.
And it's just like so bizarre.
I don't know.
How dare you look feminine and you're not.
I know.
This isn't right for my queer book.
This doesn't make sense.
I know, they're like, these don't fit into my stereotypes.
I think it's also like the thing as well, you know, because I know I sort of like find
it really weird, especially like coming out of high school as well when you're in the
early stages of your twenties and everyone's trying to sexualize you from being a kid to
being a young adult.
So true, yeah.
I think it's more prominent then, but particularly like my partner, because of her height, she
actually gets a lot more people commenting that she looks like a kid and she's 27 and
it drives her up the wall.
Oh God.
You have these sort of, and I often have discussions with her about like, you know, the problems
because I have to go to sometimes mechanics and stuff and have to put on that bloke voice
and you know, like, hey mate, how you going, let's fix the car, let's get it done, let's
pay the bills and go home.
I hate that.
And I remember like particularly when I was young, I had a lot of female friends growing
up and one of the things that I was always commented on, and I think that's where all
the gay jokes probably stemmed in, but they were just like, oh, why don't you just like
sleeping with half of them was always the question.
I'm like, why would I?
That's the generic, like weird thing that I always find is when you have like same sex
or different, you know, opposite sex friends that people just go, oh, that's so weird.
Why would you do that?
Have you always kind of had a very mixed friend group?
Oh God, that's, I hate that stuff.
Yeah, like I have on and off, but I've really found safety and security in my AFAB friends.
But I definitely know I have a mix of all different friends.
I think they're just my immediate friends at the moment, but I have lots of, you know,
trans friends and non-binary friends.
And so, you know, it's very mixed and I feel like that's kind of people that would say
things like that are kind of out of my life now, or maybe like not in my immediate bubble
that I'd see all the time, which I'm really grateful for because those conversations are
painful.
Yeah.
I mean, like you want to avoid them.
I love that you kind of like shuffled them out of your life now.
Yeah.
I mean, do they come along to gigs and stuff?
Do you still encounter these kind of people at gigs?
Yeah, for sure.
For sure.
I encounter these kind of people, and also my family, as open as they are, don't get
the ins and outs of it all.
So I still get them being like, well, what about like, and you're just like, okay.
But yeah, definitely, I'm just like, I don't experience it as much anymore, but I know
it too well.
Yeah.
It's a weird kind of state, isn't it?
And I think automatically I often roll my eyes when people go, oh, but it doesn't fit
the English language.
Like I can't say they them.
Oh, don't.
It's so, it doesn't even make sense.
But anyway, yeah.
I felt like I broke you just then.
Because the amount of people who say that and they're just wrong.
I know.
Like you're just being so silly.
But apparently people think it's fine.
They're like, oh, oh no.
You know what I mean.
I'm like, yes, I do.
But say it properly.
Be respectful about it.
Exactly.
But I mean, it's very interesting because like I've worked, you know, with the whole
pronoun things and stuff.
Like if people check my Instagram and LinkedIn and stuff like that, go ahead.
My pronouns are all over that stuff.
But I haven't had that conversation where it's like with my parents of like, how do
I identify?
Because I feel like it was bad enough having the conversation that I was by.
Not that they weren't sort of like, but it was just kind of like still a conversation.
I was like, I don't want to have another one.
Totally.
Like it's the worst stress in the world.
But I encourage you, if you're anyone out there and if you identify differently and
you want to come out to your parents, do it all as a joint package.
Just get everything out in one sitting.
That's actually great advice.
Just hit them all at once.
Because they can't argue with it.
They can't be like, oh, you came out as this before and now you're coming out as this.
They're like, well, I guess they gave me the whole package.
Yeah, completely.
I'm done.
No, I think that's my mentality.
But I've also said like, Emily and I have often said that if our kids, you know, if
we have kids and they come out as queer, we're just going to be over the moon.
But also like, you know, just make sure they feel safe and accepted even.
Because I don't think particularly, especially with like our influence in the next like 50
years, it's going to be fixed.
I don't think this issue is going to be fixed probably in our lifetime.
It's too deep.
Yeah, it's rudimentary.
Yeah.
But I do think that, you know, like we're making the stepping stones to make it very
clear and concise.
Totally.
And I think, you know, like, particularly, I love, I also love how, how in touch you
are with, you know, the use of checking in on people and, you know, and, and, you know,
like checking pronouns and everything.
Because like, there's not much of a difference in age between us.
There's like about seven years, but it's not as ingrained in me as it is in you.
And I love that.
Did that take training?
Yeah.
But it's also just because of the wonderful people I'm surrounded by.
So I think being around transgender people specifically as well, like pronouns are so
important to get right.
And I then, as soon as I kind of learnt about it a lot, I was like, wow, this is awesome.
So good that there's this other, you know, way that we can identify ourselves in so many
different ways and like just opens up a whole new thing of freedom and expression.
But yeah, I just think, yeah, we just all like make sure that we're always on it.
And we also like very much correct each other a lot and like pull each other up on it a
lot.
So I think it is just the environment I'm in that I'm really lucky to be in where like,
we're like, ah, wrong.
And then you're like, oh, cool.
Yeah.
I love that.
It's good.
Yeah.
It's important.
I'm going to constantly pick your brains about stuff like this.
Constantly, constantly, I've got to pick your brains.
I hope you know this now.
Go for it.
But no, I think, I think that's one of the things that I get.
You just astound me with how on top of you on top of it you are.
Because I think it's such a yeah, with people coming into it, like in the generation, even
like the difference between age of you and my cousin's kid are like, you know, even they're
like super aware of and I'm like, how?
Yeah.
You know, like 30 years of jadedness has gotten to me.
And I do think even in the seven year difference we have, like, it would have been harder in
those seven years than it was for me.
Like just generally, like, yeah, it's changed quite quickly, quite, quite rapidly.
And I think maybe there is more freedom for me and my, I don't know, people my age are
like to be open with that, even though the gap's not that big.
Yeah.
It's very minor.
It goes to microaggressions back in, you know, and like what kind of microaggressions each
generation and each year has dealt with at certain turning points in our lives.
And then how does that like affect us?
Yeah, it's like my teenage years would have been different to yours and how we sort of
like identified and discovered ourselves would have been very different points.
But you know, like all the friends that I came, you know, that I was close to were stuff
are all queer.
So it's like one of those things that I think I, if I hadn't realised I was queer at 26,
I would have worked it out by now as well.
Yeah, totally.
It's very, it's very obvious for all the things that I follow.
Before we wrap up though, I'm going to ask you about some Taylor Swift stuff.
Oh my god.
Hit me.
Let's do it.
So favourite album?
Speak Now, Deluxe Edition.
Ooh, Deluxe Edition.
Favourite song?
No!
Favourite song?
Just one?
Yeah, one song, okay, let's stick with that album.
Favourite song of that album.
Of Speak Now?
Yeah.
Okay, The Story of Us.
I've seen a live performance.
Which one?
Well, any of them, like pre pandemic.
Oh my god, yes.
Oh, yes.
Are you going to go to the Eras tour?
Surely, yes I am.
I've already been to two Taylor gigs and I cried a lot.
Continue your questions, it's fine.
I love this, this is like a speed fire round.
Least favourite song on that album?
I'm going to have to say, this isn't an easy decision, please don't take this too seriously,
but I am going to say Innocent.
Okay.
Do you know that one?
I do, yes.
Yeah.
Also, I will say your favourite album is Em's favourite album.
Oh, okay.
We'd probably get along.
Yeah, you two would get along.
I'm already vibing it, I'm just like, oh my god.
There's currently like Taylor Swift merch over in the corner of the house.
Oh, I love it.
Not many people have Speak Now as their favourite album, so this is big that we have the same
one, the same fave.
My first ever album will also be my favourite, which is Red.
My favourite song probably, it's actually in the re-release, which is the 10 minute
version of All Too Well.
Oh, B.
It's so good.
It's fucked up.
And probably my least favourite song on that album, probably Trouble.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I knew you were Trouble.
Yeah, I knew you were Trouble, yeah.
I'm really not as fan of how that's structured.
I don't know why.
So fair.
I've listened to it a fair amount, but I think she did something with the re-release of remixing
it, and I just preferred the original mix of the song.
It's very funny.
Actually, that's a point.
Are you ever going to, in 15, 20 years time, remix some of your old songs?
Do you think you'll ever do that, or do you think you'll kind of just leave B?
I'm never going to say never, but I don't know.
I don't know, probably.
It'll cross your mind.
Oh, yeah.
Like, surely.
Surely there'll be some remix type situation going on.
But hopefully I don't end up in a situation like Taylor where I have no choice but to
remix them.
Oh, yeah.
I don't think you'll ever.
I think the music industry is going to change forever due to that situation because that
was appalling.
Totally.
And she deserved way better.
And it's so funny as well because I've listened to Midnights.
I enjoy Midnights as an album, but it's so funny that it's sort of a big fandom and
the culture of fandom should never really berate anyone on how they'd be creative because
they're all like, we want an album-like reputation, and then she releases it, and then they're
suddenly like, oh, okay, this isn't what we expected.
And some of the fandom is really divided.
I know, the culture of fandom, especially for Taylor's fans, is hectic.
One of my friends said the other day, I'm not really the biggest fan of Taylor Swift,
but I am a fan of Taylor's fans because they're just like their whole new own world and it's
crazy.
Oh my god, they're all savage.
They're all so savage.
They're so savage.
And you've obviously heard about Gaylo.
Yes.
Yeah, cool.
Cool, cool, cool, cool.
I don't.
It's all black hole, that place.
Everything's a black hole.
I just, it sounds really bleak, but it is.
Actually here's my final question for you, though, Halle.
Yes.
What's your go-to chill session after a big day?
Are you normally a whine and chill and listen to music, or what's your go-to?
No, it's bong.
It's bong life.
I have a whinedown bong, just to be honest with you.
I love that.
Yeah, yeah, but I also just shower.
Oh, a shower.
Crazy I know, but I shower.
And that always makes me feel relaxed.
How long is said shower?
Like a decent shower, or if I'm feeling really dramatic, I have a bath.
There you go.
Yeah.
You've heard it here first, folks.
Do you enjoy a bath?
I love a bath.
Baths are the bee's knees.
Yeah, completely.
And I don't have one here in this house, so I'm very disappointed.
There is only a shower, so I can only enjoy a shower.
I know.
Damn.
It's going to make when you have a bath again so special.
Oh yeah, I'm going to utilize it all the time.
That is the plan.
Yeah, exactly.
But thank you so much for joining me.
I've actually loved chatting to you.
It's been an absolute blast.
Same.
Thank you for having me.
This has been lovely.
Yeah.
And Halle, where can people stalk you, obviously, and where can they find you?
Where's the easiest place to stalk your friends?
Sorry, I just thought they'd like to stalk me and giving out my address.
Please and no.
No.
You can find me on Instagram, Halle with four E's, and Spotify.
I'm in all the places, Facebook, Twitter.
I don't really use Twitter though, don't go there.
TikTok.
I try and be funny on TikTok.
And yeah, I don't know.
And then Spotify and Apple and things like that.
Amazon, whatever you use, Tidal.
Find it.
Go and type Halle's name into things.
You'll find her.
YouTube!
Go and find Halle's first ever video.
Go and stalk the deep web.
Oh God, don't do that.
Yeah, I know.
We've opened a can of worms here today.
But no, thank you so much for joining me.
And if you want to go and check out more episodes of Things We Do, you can check them out on
Apple and Spotify.
I'll be speaking with another guest next week and I'll speak to you all later.
Bye!