We had the good fortune of connecting with Halo (boywithahalo) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Halo, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
As a musician who openly make songs about depression, disconnection, and growing up, I wish to help others going through the same struggles in their life. Music is a language often used as a form of mutual expression and therapy, and I want to implement all this while simultaneously creating art that I resonate with and is cathartic to make. Since the pandemic, I’ve realized that we need and crave this level of connection more than ever, being able to hear and relate to a fellow human and what they are going through. It is comforting in that it helps you feel understood and less alone, like a consoling hug from a best friend.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After moving from China to the US, I found a new love for hip-hop and began producing and writing. I got my big moments during 2017, winning the iStandard Dallas producer showcase and placing as finalist in the international competition in Atlanta, GA. Working with multiple industry personnel and performers but having no released work to show, I eventually grew tired and decided to take a break.

In January 2020, I experienced the pandemic in a way no one else has, being stuck overseas in China during my planned break due to lockdowns and cancelled return flights. I spent over a year there, reconnecting with family, rediscovering myself and my passions, eventually picking up a $15 guitar and singing all my feelings into iPhone voice memos which I would combine and finalize in FL Studio, the same DAW I’ve used for years to make hip-hop music. In 2021 I made remixes that blew up and got taken down, I made and released 13 official songs all by myself with no help, as well as receiving recognition for some lo-fi instrumentals on Audius, and my livestream/content creation ventures on Twitch and YouTube.

Although my brand is ever-evolving with myself, I believe people can tell the “signatures” in a way, with the certain approaches I take echoing my past and painting the future.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The anime conventions that often happen in the DFW are always fun! I’ve only recently started going to any, but all of them have been amazing experiences.

One of my favorite restaurants is Hometown Cafe in Richardson, not because it is fancy or something, but because it reminds me of the kind of food I grew up eating in China. It really has that homestyle, community cafeteria feel, and that’s quite unique for any spot in the US.

My favorite place to stroll would be either uptown or the SMU campus. Uptown is for anyone looking to experience something glamorous and close to luxury without the overwhelming elements; it feels like a community, and it feels like everyone knows each other. I also enjoy just taking walks on the SMU campus as it is such a simple and clean area, refreshing for anyone who doesn’t experience simple and clean often enough.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been a part of way too many supportive communities to shoutout all of them by name, but I really want to mention the city itself and the various music scenes. As someone who has produced and collaborated with countless local artists on anything from hip-hop to indie rock, the community is lovely and always supportive of what each other is up to, no matter how insignificant our moves might be in the lens of the world. I’ve witnessed individuals achieve star status, and it is thanks to the support system we have and are currently working to improve. Shoutout to all the A&Rs, investors, DJs, and everyone in between for believing in the future of the city.

Website: boywithahalo.com

Instagram: @aboywithahalo

Twitter: boywithahalo

Youtube: youtube.com/c/boywithahalo

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3kRxi6BupqTUsOhTeZ8bx1 https://music.apple.com/us/artist/boywithahalo/1551861185 https://tiktok.com/aboywithahalo twitch.tv/boywithahalo linktr.ee/boywithahalo

Image Credits
boywithahalo

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