Personal love songs aren’t typically his thing, but sometimes they’ve just gotta be written, and for Tāmaki Makaurau RnB specialist HALES he probably wouldn’t have it Any Other Way. The first released single since his debut EP that came out at the end of 2024, NZ On Air Music funded the song and included it on the July NewTracks compilation.

What’s your given name, where are you from and what instruments do you play?

My name is Jeremiah Fale. I play guitar, bass and a bit of piano. I live and grew up in South Auckland in Otara.

Any other projects that we might know you from?

I currently am in a band called MAYJUN, which is a Polynesian pop/rock band tryna push the non-brown sound to a brown audience.

What’s the background of how HALES came to be a recording artist? 

The HALES project came about towards the end of my studies at SAE. I started HALES with my good friend and producer EDY as a way for me to develop my talents as a writer and producer and we naturally just started releasing music under the name.

How did you come up with that artist name for the project? 

HALES is actually from the word Selah, which appears in the bible more specifically in the book of Psalms. The word appears after verses and typically would indicate a pause or time of reflection. It’s a reminder of my roots and where my gifts come from.

How has your music evolved from your earliest songwriting to now? 

I actually have a really interesting story about how I think the songwriting thing came about for me. I didn’t have a phone in high school, but I did have an ipod nano which had no internet capabilities and a radio. So to find new music I used to listen to the radio at night. And because at night the presenters weren’t on to tell you what was playing, if I wanted to figure out what a song was I had to write out as many lyrics from the song as I could so that I could find it the next day, or whenever I had internet. Since then I think my writing’s matured, which comes with lived experiences and actually experiencing it for yourself.

Aside from this release, what’s been the big highlight to date?

I don’t really have many highlights. I think just being able to do what I do for a living and to do it with my friends has been the biggest one so far.

What made Any Other Way stand out for you as a single choice?

Any Other Way is the first love song I wrote about someone specifically. I don’t really write about people and I always tend to write about scenarios that I’m not even in, but this one is special because it comes from a real place.

What is the story behind Any Other Way?

I fell in love. I’ll leave it at that haha.

What’s your favourite moment, musical or lyrical, of the single?

There are some stabs in the chorus which I love hearing live as well!

Who did you record/produce the single with? 

We produced this track in Sydney with Chelsea Warner (Kid Cudi) and EDY (Will Singe, Kennyon Brown) and partnered with ASTRO (Chris Brown) to finish it. The song’s got a really good team behind it and I’m happy with how it turned out.

What would you like listeners to take away from this song?

Have fun with your music. I feel like my last project was very ambitious in its approach to getting a really deep message across, but this single has taught me to just have fun with it.

Who else is in your team?

My producer EDY.

Are there any other musical endeavours you’re working on that we should keep an eye out for? 

My band MAYJUN have a single called Secret coming out soon so look out for that one!

You collated several singles into your EP ‘it cost me everything.’ last year. Is Any Other Way the first of a new musical collection?

Yes! I’m still thinking about a name, but it should be out this year hopefully.

That EP title was about love, but are you able to earn a living from music? How?

Yes! I think by staying active and always hustling and moving, that’s how I’ve been able to stay afloat financially doing music.

In early 2023 you spent a few weeks in LA with Edy Liu and Sam V. That must have been an eye-opening experience?

Yes it was really cool to experience a different type of grind and hustle, and I feel like I’ve taken that on board in my approach.

Can you please name three other local tunes that would fit well on a playlist alongside your song.

Sam V – Come Through
JUGA – Right Now
TheWesternGuide – Still Feel like Yours

Have you previously received NZOA funding? Was there any criterion you struggled with in the application? 

Yes – I didn’t have any trouble with funding criteria and have had funding for a few singles. [New Music Single funding for Any Other Way, In Denial, Look Up, Still Be Here with Lepani, In My Head; New Music Single Pasifika funding for Just My Type feat. Glisha.] 

Are there any musical blogs or podcasts you’re into?

I really enjoy Tahi FM and what So’omalo and the team are doing!

How can we find you on social media?

https://linktr.ee/musicbyhales