Hans Halstead is a “neo-traditional country” performer and recent transplant from Duluth to Minneapolis. He is releasing an exciting debut album (Minnesota Girl) with a show at the Phoenix Theater on Augst 17. An artist to put on your radar for sure!
How did you get started and deeper involved in music?
I have always been a musical kid. My family loved to play Classical Rock songs like the Eagles, the Beatles, and were influenced by storytellers like Johnny Cash and Elvis. My parents were adamant about listening to kid’s music as well and would always have a CD readily available for road trips. I was always involved in choir in school and loved to sing. From first grade on, I was classically trained in Suzuki guitar and performed at recitals. However, it wasn’t until ninth grade, where my sister encouraged me to start voice lessons and do the talent show, that I fell in love with performing. Shortly after, I began to write songs in order to cope with break ups. I showed a voice memo of one of the songs to my friend on the soccer bus, and he inspired me to finish and produce it. That same friend got me tickets to the Basilica Block Party in which Indie Rock became a huge inspiration for me. As a result, I wrote and recorded a debut EP at Sacred Heart Studio which I released during the summer of 2019. After high school, I continued to write songs at college, delving into multiple genres and developing my voice. Shortly after college, I met Jason Orris, owner of The Terrarium, who introduced me to musicians in the area who have helped me to take my vision and make it into a reality.
I am a sucker for a Minnesota-specific song and Minnesota Girl is the epitome. What inspired the song – a specific girl or are you still searching for the one?
I love that question. I definitely think what inspired “Minnesota Girl” was a collection of many failed relationships. Like any other young person, I’ve experienced dating and have gotten my heart broken a decent number of times. These experiences have taught me a lot about life and myself. “Minnesota Girl” is really a detailing of a lot of these failed relationships explaining what ultimately leads to their demise. Some of the reasons are silly, like I couldn’t get over my girl being a Packers fan because I’m from Minnesota. Others are more personal, like a girl’s parents not liking me because I was a musician. I also tell of some relationships that never got off the ground and were just a one night kind of thing. It’s a song about thinking about all of my experiences that have led me to this point and developing perspective as a result. We all grow and learn from these relationships, no matter how painful it may be in the moment, and I’ve come to understand what I truly value in a partner, which has made me value myself more. It’s about the hope of finding someone out there who truly understands you which makes all of the painful experiences worth it.
The idea of neo-traditional country artists is compelling. How do you think your Duluth upbringing nurtured that style?
I think there is so much mystery and mythology in Duluth. It has infamous connections to immortal legends like Bob Dylan as well as modern heroes like Trampled by Turtles, Low, and Charlie Parr. People there are very particular about their music. There is definitely a shared identity within it. As an aesthetic, Duluth symbolizes the mystery shrouded in its music. It is a port town on one of the biggest lakes in the world where the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. There is a vital history tied to its vast waters which humbles you to the elements. However, It is a city not for the faint-hearted. Temperatures can be as low as twenty below in the winter, and the effect of the lake can cause fatal wind chill as well as hazardous road conditions. As a result, the people of Duluth are tough: There are still families around whose relatives were affected by the copper mines in the 1800’s, Duluthians have also gone to extreme lengths to protect the boundary waters from the dangers of copper sulfide mining, and hockey is celebrated religiously and embraced as it’s number one sport. There is also a rich history of indigenous culture that we learned and appreciated in school. Overall, I try to embody this attitude as much as possible in my songs and have developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors as well as carrying the values of hard work and integrity as I develop and grow as an artist.
How has the shift from Duluth to Minneapolis been? So many good artists from both cities. Do you notice a difference in the community/scene?
The shift from Duluth to Minneapolis has been fairly seamless. I have learned that Minneapolis is deeply influenced by Prince. Even to this day. I cannot count the number of times I have interacted with musicians and engineers in Minneapolis whose lives have been touched by Prince. This has been a surreal experience for me and a humbling one. I am honored to be a part of this rich history that has been part of the fabric of many people’s lives. I find it an amazing challenge to strive to his level of greatness and carry his name forward with everybody who I have worked with.
Please tell us about the upcoming album release?
Yes! I’ve got a lot of exciting announcements coming up. I’m releasing an EP in the fall which will be a collection of the singles I’ve released thus far and some extra one’s. After that, I’m planning to release a full length album sometime after that. A lot of the songs have to do with my experiences at college and all were recorded at the Terrarium with Jason Orris. Stay tuned!
Mostly Minnesota 