BOBBYCAST - Hunter Hayes on Child Stardom, Leaving Nashville, His Love of Coldplay & New Music

Hunter Hayes joins The Bobbycast for an intimate and reflective conversation about his journey from child stardom in Louisiana to becoming a platinum-selling, multi-instrumentalist artist. He opens up about his early musical genius—playing the accordion at age four and performing for the president at seven—and how that fame shaped his identity. Hayes discusses his decision to leave Nashville for a period of self-renewal, emphasizing the need to 'reset' and reclaim his humanity after years of nonstop touring and creative pressure. He shares how being away helped him fall back in love with music and his hometown. The conversation dives deep into his new album, Evergreen, which he describes as a sonic tapestry of his life’s travels and emotional evolution, blending elements of pop, rock, and country while rejecting genre constraints. Hayes also reflects on his creative process, his love for Coldplay, and the profound impact of music on his mental health, particularly using albums like Viva La Vida to help with sleep. He candidly discusses his ADHD, his struggle with social connection, and the pressure of being a 'genius' at a young age, ultimately framing his artistry as a lifelong journey of growth rather than a fixed destination.