by alex grainger
photo by steph estrada
The Hails’ “Breathless” is more than a classic love song. It’s a story of who The Hails are at their core. They are a band of perseverance. “Breathless” could have easily been dropped in 2019 after the first recording, but instead they took their time reworking each beat and verse until it became the groovy single we hear today. The track serves as a time capsule as it gives a glimpse into how lead singer Robbie Kingsley’s voice has evolved over the years through the flow from each verse to the chorus.
“Breathless” is a staple on their set list, and only existed for years within their exhilarating live shows. And now, while we can stream the song at a moment’s notice, we can all be left breathless after hearing this track and their latest single “Fiona” in the electric atmosphere of their recent tour supporting The Happy Fits. It doesn’t stop there, as the band will be supporting The Beaches, The Moss, and headline their own shows over the coming months. Be sure to catch them live and read more about “Breathless” and The Hails below!
What story are you sharing through “Breathless?”
Robbie: “At its root, it’s a basic love song. But the backstory comes from my observations on relationships that didn’t work out despite being filled with love. The way people grow through life is very strange to me. I guess I’m just trying to look back on relationships in a more positive light rather than a negative one.”
“Breathless” fittingly ends on an exhale. Why did you choose this note to sonically end the story you are telling through the single?
Robbie: “There’s no true reason. We just needed that sound of a breath. We like including fun sounds in our music and when Dylan recorded it on the demo it sounded cool enough to keep.”
“Breathless” made its debut in 2019 and you’ve been working on the track ever since. Can you take us through the dynamic and intricate creative process over the past few years?
Robbie: “Dylan wrote most of the initial melodies and chorus lyrics, but the song was much longer than the version you hear now. There was even a completely different section that sounded like a bridge that we cut out very early on. Once we decided on a structure, we started playing it at every live show because the ending was so hard-hitting. The lyrics took about a year for me to finalize, so I was singing random words during early performances. We tried recording it in 2019 but didn’t love a lot of the sounds until Franco re-did a lot of the drums and guitars in 2022. I re-recorded vocals that I felt didn’t sound good, but I left the original chorus takes because those stood up strong.”
Why after so many years did you collectively decide now was the time to release the track? What did you get just right sonically where you thought this is what we’ve been looking for?
Robbie: “The pandemic played a big part in our release strategy, but honestly I think we just got tired of it after the first recordings didn't work out. We just needed time to come back around to it.”
It’s an interesting single where the listener can hear how Robbie’s vocals have developed. Your original 2019 recordings are heard in each chorus and your recent recordings are heard in each verse. Why did you decide to retake the verses and leave the chorus?
Robbie: “The verses just sounded bad. I knew I could sing those parts way better once we dug back into the song. It kept me awake at night because I didn’t want those original takes to be part of the final form. I think it would’ve made me despise the song which is never a fun thing when you’re trying to make something that you’ll constantly promote. The chorus was bang-on from the start. I practiced that with Franco for a full day because the song sits in a weird register so we just kept singing it before going into the studio.”
How do you think this song shows your growth as an artist and as a band since the first recording in 2019?
Robbie: “Maybe not growth, but more so perseverance. We don’t just let things die. The song is almost an allegory for our band. There’s plenty of times where we could just throw away everything, but we continue to press on.”
How do you feel the final recording of “Breathless” represents your sound as a band?
Robbie: “A mix of the old with the new. Not sure how much it relates to the other songs since I think we draw from all over the place, but it has a nice pocket within our discography next to stuff like ‘Sugar’ or ‘Situations.’”
“Breathless” has been a live show favorite since 2019. What is the experience like playing this song live?
Robbie: “It’s going to be a lot better now that the song is actually out. I used to put a disclaimer about how it’s a ‘new song’ before we’d go into it, but I’m excited to not have to lie to people any more.”
How, if at all, has the experience changed over the years?
Robbie: “Once I got the final lyrics down, it feels the same every time. We’re seasoned veterans when it comes to that tune. Playing ‘Exonerate’ has been more of a challenge only because it’s actually new. We’re confident about ‘Breathless’ every time we play, so maybe that’s why it’s always been a staple of our live set.”
You note how your early projects of He Seems Upset and singles “Younger” and “Stay” were influenced by your Miami upbringings. How, if at all, do your Miami influences weave their way into “Breathless?”
Robbie: “Gainesville, for me, has shaped way more of our sound. Growing up in Tampa during my middle and high school years also has shaped the lyrics and melodies I contribute to those songs. Plus, ‘Stay’ has the line about Carolina which I wrote because I was born in North Carolina, so I’m not exactly sure where Miami plays in for me, if at all. With Gainesville being the birthplace of our band, that’s always going to be the home roots. Many of the lyrics and concepts on He Seems Upset derive from experiences in college and learning how to navigate life on your own which I will always associate with Gainesville. Then with Tampa, it’s the place I grew up and dreamt about my future life so my aspirational tendencies and contributions come from good memories associated with those formative years.”