Freddy Hall

I grew up just down the street from a dinner theater called The Lazy Susan. They put on three productions a year, and my family made it our mission to see as many as we could. One time, someone gave me a tour of the “backstage”—which was basically a cable closet and a mirror—but stepping onto that stage felt like magic. I didn’t want to leave.

I was a proud member of the Boyz II Men fan club when I was a kid. They showed me what music really is—how it can move people, tell a story, and be full of rhythm and drama. In high school I was in a band called Blue Jay Walking. That was where I really got to practice songwriting and performing. I had to figure out how to get my friends dancing and singing along, and it helped me find my footing as an artist.

I’ve started using the term “funky-folk” whenever people ask what type of music I write. I’m not sure if I made it up or not—but it feels right. Those are two genres I admire and try to blend into my own work. It’s a label that offers a little insight into how I approach creating music: rhythm you can move to, wrapped around honest storytelling.

Lately I’ve been obsessed with the idea of using my songs as a way to document my life. I’ve released four albums over the course of my (many) years on this planet, and I can go back and listen to tracks I recorded in high school—or even just three years ago—and instantly tap into the emotions I was feeling at the time. It’s like a form of time travel that really fascinates me.