Hayley Jensen

Hayley Jensen
Hayley Jensen performing at the Broadbeach Country Music Festival 2017
Hayley Jensen performing at the Broadbeach Country Music Festival 2017
Background information
Birth nameHayley Jane
Born (1983-01-07) 7 January 1983 (age 41)
Albury, New South Wales, Australia
OriginCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
GenresCountry, alternative rock, pop rock, pop, roots music, folk rock, dance-rock
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, keyboards
Years active2004–present
Websitewww.hayleyjensen.net

Hayley Jensen (born 7 January 1983) is an Australian singer and songwriter who became known after appearing on the second series (2004) of Australian Idol. She was the fourth finalist, leaving the show on 1 November. She spent three years as the lead vocalist of alternative rock band Seasons and dance-rock outfit Silver Cities. Jensen's EP Past Tense and Present Peace was released in February 2017 and reached #1 on the Australian iTunes Country chart[1] followed in 2018 by the album Turning Up the Dial which she toured across Australia, the UK and Canada. Hayley's third studio album Breakin' Hearts was released on 22 October 2021[2] and came in as the #1 ARIA Country Album[3] and #4 ARIA Australian Albums (all genres).[4]

Early life

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Hayley Jensen was born in Albury, New South Wales, but has lived in Canberra for most of her life. Before entering the Australian Idol competition, she studied Jazz vocals at the ANU whilst completing year 11–12, and then went on to study Economics and Management at the University of Canberra.[5]

2004: Early career and Australian Idol

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In 2004, Jensen auditioned for Australian Idol. She did not progress from her hometown of Canberra, but travelled to Sydney to try again and was successful.She was selected for a spot in the Final 12 and continued in the competition for a number of weeks, eventually placing 4th.[6]

2005-2013: Post-Idol activities

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After Australian Idol, Jensen formed her own record label (White Dove Music), released a solo album, Note to Self and released a number of singles, music videos and toured the country. She performed for Coalition Forces in Iraq,[7] for the Prime Minister on a number of occasions, and at entertainment centres around Australia.

In March 2010, Jensen co-founded alternative pop/rock band Seasons with drummer Peter Wright and guitarist Sam Young. The band released their debut EP A Moment of Clarity on 15 April 2011. In late 2012, Seasons changed their name to Silver Cities, and released their first single, "Lights" was co-credited to Jensen. They toured as a supporting act for Evermore on their Hero National Tour. In November 2013, Hayley and her band received an award for their single "Lights" at the 2013 Australian Independent Music Awards.[8]

2014-2015: The Voice Australia

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In 2014, Jensen auditioned for the third season of the Australian version of The Voice.[9][10] She performed the song "Freefallin" in the episode broadcast on 7 May 2014. Coaches Will.i.am and Kylie Minogue pressed their buttons on time and Jensen chose to join Kylie Minogue's team.[11]

In 2015, Jensen joined Casey Donovan, Doug Williams and Darren Mapes, in a concert celebrating the songs and life of Burt Bacharach.[12]

2016-present: Return to country music

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2016 saw Jensen return to country music with her single "The One" released on Friday 15 January. She was nominated as a Toyota Star Maker Finalist at the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2016 where she performed at the Tamworth Town Hall on Sunday 17 January together with 9 other finalists from across Australia.[13] She subsequently released the single "I'll Always Love You" in June 2016 and "Young Years" in December 2016, followed by the EP Past Tense & Present Peace which made it to #1 in the Australian iTunes Country Chart.[14]

Jensen's single "Summertime Soundtrack" was released on 6 November 2017 under the Social Family Records label.[15] She was a finalist in the 2018 Country Music Channel Awards for New Artist of the Year. She released a second single "Saturday Night" from her album Turning Up the Dial on 26 March 2018.[16] Two more singles from the album were released, "Forever Won't Be Long Enough"[17] and "This Love", both were accompanied by music videos.

At the end of 2018, Jensen was announced as the winner of the Australian Female Artist of The Year award in Planet Country's Music for aNew Generation Awards.[18] She released 2 more singles of her album in 2019, "Next Big Thing" and the title track "Turning Up the Dial".

In 2018, Jensen toured Turning Up the Dial across the south east coast of Australia[19] before heading to Manchester in the UK in 2018 to perform as a headline international act at Buckle & Boots Country Music Festival[20] and to Canada in 2019 to perform at Calgary Stampede[21] (Alberta) & Dauphin's CountryFest (Manitoba).

Early 2020 Jensen released a version of Sarah McLachlan's "Angel", the song which got her to the top 12 in Australian Idol, this time as a duet with Australian Country Artist Beccy Cole.[22] With most of her shows and touring cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, Hayley started writing and producing new music with Canadian producer Troy Kokol at Reluctant Cowboy Records.[23] The first new single "Breakin' Hearts" was released in August 2020 as a radio single both in Australia and Canada and made it to number 2 in the Music Networks' Country Hot 50 chart.[24] Following on later in 2020 was the single "Fireworks" co-written with Aussie ex-pat and Billboard Country #1 songwriter, Phil Barton, and writing partner, Dana Heaton-Perdue,[25][26] with single "Just Gonna Party" released in March 2021.

In July 2021, Jensen released her swampy, soulful single "Karma" and announced the release of her third studio album, "Breakin' Hearts", scheduled for release in October 2021.[27] When released on 22 October 2021[28] the album Breakin' Hearts shot up in the ARIA charts coming in as #1 ARIA Country Album[29] and #4 ARIA Australian Albums (all genres)[30] for the week of 1 November 2021. Two more singles of the album were released: Better Than That in December 2021 and Shake My Bones in June 2022.

Discography

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Albums

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[31]
Note to Self
  • Released: 16 September 2007[32]
  • Label: White Dove Music
  • Format: CD, digital download
Turning Up the Dial
  • Released: 11 May 2018[33]
  • Label: Hayley Jensen, Social Family
  • Format: CD, digital download
52
Breakin' Hearts
  • Released: 22 October 2021[34]
  • Label: Hayley Jensen, Social Family
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
25
[35]

Extended plays

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Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
Past Tense & Present Peace
  • Released: 3 February 2017[36]
  • Label: Hayley Jensen, Social Family Records
  • Format: CD, digital download

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[37]
"Alive"[38] 2006 68 Note to Self
"Stronger"[39] 2007
"Lights"
(with Silver Cities)[40]
2012 Lights (Silver Cities album)
"What You Waiting For?"
(with Silver Cities)[41]
2013
"The One"[42] 2016 Past Tense & Present Peace
"I'll Always Love You"[43]
"Young Years"[44]
"Summertime Soundtrack"[45] 2017 Turning up the Dial
"Saturday Night"[46] 2018
"Forever Won't Be Long Enough"[47]
"Next Big Thing"[48] 2019
"Turning Up the Dial"[49]
"Angel"
(featuring Beccy Cole)[50]
2020 non album single
"Breakin' Hearts"[51] Breakin' Hearts
"Fireworks"[52][53]
"Just Gonna Party"[54] 2021
"Karma"[55]
"Better Than That"[56]
"Shake My Bones"[57]
"Flirtin'" (with Petric)[58] 2022
"Rock Bottom"[59] 2023
"Stomping Ground"[60] 2024

Awards and nominations

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Country Music Awards of Australia

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The Country Music Awards of Australia is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. They commenced in 1973.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Hayley Jensen New Artist of the Year Nominated
2022 Nominated [61]
2023 Hayley Jensen Female Artist of the Year Nominated [62][63]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Doherty, Megan (10 February 2017). "Canberra's Hayley Jensen sings from the heart about a past abusive relationship in her chart-topping new EP". Canberra Times. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  2. ^ O'Brian, John (23 October 2021). "Elton John, Hayley Jensen, Bagful of Beez: New album reviews". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  3. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Country Albums for week of 1 November 2021". Aria. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  4. ^ "ARIA Top 20 Australian Albums for week of 1 November 2021". Aria. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Hayley hits the road". The Age. 2 November 2004. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Hayley hits the road". The Age. 2 November 2004. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Australian troops in Iraq treated to Christmas show". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 December 2005. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  8. ^ Nott, Jemma (10 November 2013). "Australian Independent Music Awards – The Star, Sydney (07.11.13)". Moscamedi. Archived from the original on 30 January 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  9. ^ Doherty, Megan (3 May 2014). "The Voice brings Hayley Jensen back to the small screen". Sydney Morning Herald, Canberra times. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  10. ^ Booker, Chloe (7 May 2014). "The Voice for Border vocalist". The Border Mail. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  11. ^ ""Hey, if I make it through that's awesome": Ten years after Australian Idol, Hayley Jensen goes for glory on The Voice". Daily Telegraph. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  12. ^ Ball, Jack (19 December 2014). "BURT BACHARACH CELEBRATORY TOUR ANNOUNCED FOR 2015! (19.12.14)". theaureview. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  13. ^ "Star Maker top 10 announced". The Land. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Canberra's Hayley Jensen sings from the heart about a past abusive relationship in her chart-topping new EP, Past Tense and Present Peace, and of finding happiness with her fiance". Sydney Morning Herald. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  15. ^ "Exclusive: Country music label Social Family Records & Market the Music ink new artist development & distro". The Music Network. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  16. ^ "HAYLEY JENSEN - SATURDAY NIGHT". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 27 May 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  17. ^ "Hayley Jensen's real-life wedding features in her latest music video". The Canberra Times. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Planet Country Radio Show". Planet Country Radio Show. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  19. ^ Doherty, Megan (3 May 2018). "Hayley Jensen to perform in Canberra as she tours new album". Canberra Times. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Buckle & Boots Join Forces With Australia's Tamworth Music Festival". LifeInASong_UK. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  21. ^ "Australia singer-songwriter Hayley Jensen plays 2019 Calgary Stampede". Global News Calgory. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  22. ^ "BECCY COLE JOINS HAYLEY JENSEN ON STAGE FOR BEAUTIFUL RENDITION OF 'ANGEL' (WATCH)". Kix Country. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  23. ^ "HAYLEY JENSEN BRINGS A SPARKLE TO 2020 WITH NEW POWER POP-COUNTRY SINGLE 'FIREWORKS'". Rocknloadmag. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Country Hot 50". The Music Network. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  25. ^ "HAYLEY JENSEN BRINGS A SPARKLE TO 2020 WITH NEW POWER POP-COUNTRY SINGLE 'FIREWORKS'". Rocknloadmag. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  26. ^ "Fireworks by Hayley Jensen – Song Of The Day". CountryTown. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  27. ^ "Karma by Hayley Jensen - Video Premiere". Countrytown. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  28. ^ O'Brian, John (23 October 2021). "Elton John, Hayley Jensen, Bagful of Beez: New album reviews". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  29. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Country Albums for week of 1 November 2021". Aria. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  30. ^ "ARIA Top 20 Australian Albums for week of 1 November 2021". Aria. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  31. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #473". auspOp. 19 May 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Note to Self". Apple Music. September 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  33. ^ "Turning Up the Dial". Apple Music. May 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  34. ^ "Breakin' Hearts". Apple Music. June 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  35. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Past Tense & Present Peace". Apple Music. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  37. ^ "The ARIA Report issue 865" (PDF). ARIA. 20 September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 September 2006. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  38. ^ "Alive - single". Apple Music. September 2006. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  39. ^ "Stronger - single". Apple Music. June 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  40. ^ "Lights - single". Apple Music. February 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  41. ^ "What You Waiting For? - single". Apple Music. February 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  42. ^ "Hayley Jensen - The One (Official Music Video)". YouTube. February 2016. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  43. ^ "Hayley Jensen - I'll Always Love You (Official Music Video)". YouTube. July 2016. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Young Years (Official Music Video)". Facebook. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  45. ^ "Summertime Soundtrack - single". Apple Music. October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  46. ^ "HAYLEY JENSEN Releases Fund Video for New Single "Saturday Night"". rockclub40. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  47. ^ "My new single "Forever Won't Be Long Enough" is released to radio today!". www.hayleyjensen.net. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  48. ^ "Next Big Thing - single". Apple Music. April 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  49. ^ "🎥❤️🎶🙌 HERE IT IS! 'Turning Up The Dial' music video! 🎸✨ This is the final single to be released from my latest album of the same name & with it". Facebook. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  50. ^ "Angel - single". Apple Music. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  51. ^ "Breakin' Hearts - single". Apple Music. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  52. ^ "Fireworks - single". Apple Music. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  53. ^ "Sigles to Radio w/c 6 November 2020". 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  54. ^ "Just Gonna Party - single". Apple Music. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  55. ^ "Karma - single". Apple Music. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  56. ^ "Better Than That - single". Apple Music. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  57. ^ "Shake My Bones - single". Apple Music. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  58. ^ "Hayley Jensen Partners with Petric for "Flirtin'"". Sounds of Oz. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  59. ^ "[News] HAYLEY JENSEN RELEASES NEW SINGLE 'ROCK BOTTOM' + ANNOUNCES 'THE ACOUSTIC EXPERIENCE' SHOW DATES". Reverb Street Press. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  60. ^ "Hayley Jensen - 'Stomping Ground' - VIP Single Launch". Human Tix. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  61. ^ "Toyota Golden Guitar award nominees announced for event's 50th year". On with the Show. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  62. ^ "Tamworth Toyota Golden Guitar Award Nominees Announced". The Music. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  63. ^ "2023 Toyota Golden Guitar Winners Announced". Mirage News. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
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