Check out Haley Lynch’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Lynch.

Haley, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up on the Northwest side of town, near Cypress / Tomball. I had always been a big fan of music – my mom used to cart my friends and I to touring band shows. We would frequent Numbers, The Meridian, Warehouse Live etc., But It wasn’t until my last couple years of high school (2008-2009) when I became aware of the local music.

I found out about a band named Buxton and was instantly enamored with the songs. A few years later, through the power of Myspace, I was invited by lead singer, Sergio Trevino, to try out singing on some songs – and that’s how I got started playing music in Houston.

Today, after playing with Buxton for a couple years, starting a side project called Ancient Cat Society with Sergio Trevino and Austin Sepulvado, I am now spearheading my own full band project called “Dollie Barnes,” as well as playing guitar and singing harmonies for my husband, Tom Lynch’s band called Vodi. We live a bit a crazy life juggling day jobs, three bands and time at our home on the East End with our dogs, Birdie and Ethel – but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
What I do is I write songs that draw, in some form, from personal experiences and I try to present them in a fun way that will speak to people in a global sense. I’m hoping each song could be easily molded into whatever is happening in the listeners lives. We all want to feel connected or understood, and that’s what I’m trying to do for myself as well as for others with my songs.

I self-released my debut album, “Caught in a Phase” in February 2017 that drew from a lot of experiences I had when I was younger. It’s a very transitional collection of songs for me – hence the title. They are a little broody and emotional, but I like to think there’s a little pang of humor hiding in each one. The presentation of this album was inspired by various artists from the 1960’s / 1970’s.

I’m now onto writing and recording my next collection of songs that will eventually be released on Houston’s, The What of Whom Records that is spearheaded by Kim Hill. I am very excited to be working with his team as well as my team of good friends and musicians – Tom Lynch (my husband), Kelly Doyle, Marshall Graves, Tank Lisenbe, Austin Sepulvado and David Lascoe. The new songs have a lot good life in them and I can’t wait to share them.

What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
My advice for others (and for myself) is practice your instrument with consistency. For a couple years there, I wasn’t playing guitar in a few bands and so I let my skills slip. You can always get back on the horse, but you need to give it your all and practice like someone’s paying you – because eventually someone will pay you (if they aren’t already) and you need to be able to deliver. But also have fun! You just need to do the leg work to get there.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
The best way to support us is to follow us on Instagram or Facebook to see upcoming dates and come out to see us live but if you can’t make it, “Caught in a Phase” is streaming on Spotify, iTunes and Amazon. Another great way to support from afar is to purchase an LP, CD or T-shirt at thewhatofwhom.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: dolliebarnes.com
• Email: dolliebarnesmusic@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dolliebarnes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dolliebarnesmusic/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dolliebarnes?lang=en

Image Credit:
Karo Cantu

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