Ben Hazlewood has always worn his heart on his sleeve, channelling raw emotion and fearless authenticity into his music, and with his latest single 'Spiral', he takes that vulnerability to powerful new heights.
Written in New York alongside Austin Myles Grant and Lauren Little, 'Spiral' reflects Hazlewood’s deeply personal exploration of mental health, resilience, and self-acceptance. “I wanted something that captured a lot of angst but still held beauty,” he says, and the result is a cathartic anthem that strikes a delicate balance between pain and power.
So with the new single out now, we speak with Ben Hazlewood about his creative process, the healing power of music, and why using his voice for visibility and change is more important now than ever.
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What was the first instrument you really fell in love with?
The guitar. It was the first time I felt like I could express something beyond words—just through the strings and the way it felt in my hands.
What kind of music were you into when you were younger?
I was drawn to a mix of indie rock, folk artists my Dad was playing around the house and some early electronic music. Artists who told honest stories with a mix of raw emotion and melody really stuck with me.
Do you remember the first album you ever owned?
I think it was Joshua Tree U2 That album opened my eyes to how music could be both beautiful and powerfully intense at the same time.
Is there a song you wish you had written yourself?
There are so many, but if I had to pick one, it’d be something like “Take Me To Church” - Hozier. The way it carries so much heavy beautiful weight and simplicity in its storytelling.
Do you have any habits or rituals you follow when writing new music?
I try to find a quiet space where I can really listen to myself, to the world around me. Often, a melody or lyric will come out of a very still moment. I like to record those raw ideas immediately before they fade.
Who are some of your favourite artists you’ve been listening to lately?
I’ve been revisiting artists like Perfume Genius, Father John Misty, Laurel and some newer indie voices that blend vulnerability with bold production.
If you could open for any artist or band in the world, who would it be?
I’d love to open for someone like Haim, Florence + The Machine, Maggie Rogers artists who create immersive, emotional experiences.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a musician for you?
Connecting with people on a deep emotional level knowing that a song I wrote can resonate in maybe and entirely different way than I even Interpreted the song itself.
And what’s the most frustrating?
Sometimes it’s the unpredictability of the creative process when the ideas don’t come or when translating what’s in your head. You usually have three songs once in your head the one that comes out and the final recorded version. All in the same vein but not exactly how you set out… Which is a good thing.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received as a musician?
That is you don’t love the creative processes in any way its time to move one. Because everything out side of that is just noise.
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Ben Hazlewood's new single 'Spiral' is out now. Watch the video for it in the player below.