Quick-fire Questions: 10 minutes with Hataałii
Hailing from Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation, Hataałii knows a thing or two about landscapes that feel at once rugged and visceral yet sepia-toned and shimmered with wistful spirit. His plaintive tunes capture this landscape with a fidelity that is immediately transportive. As we discovered, one of his favourite records is Bob Dylan‘s crooned Nashville Skyline; his music doesn’t exactly sound like that classic, but it does sound like the far-gone dream of driving through New Mexico at sunset while listening to it.
Waiting For A Sign is set to be the 21-year-old’s second album for Dangerbird Records. The album sees him weave through outcast narratives as he channels the isolated solipsism of this sorry little age into a fitting ghost town motif, melodically echoing with the past, painstakingly pushing forward through the nostalgia of the past to paint prettier horizons. There is a lot in Hataałii’s little worlds. They endear and daunt with hidden meanings, humour and gently pleasing instrumentation.
He launches the new album with ‘Brown Fool Eyes’. The twinkling single is a driving song that carries his developing sound and style forward. His deep croon is sweetly charming, and his assured sense of blue sky songwriting is apparent throughout. Perhaps most importantly, it’s a song that should successfully fuel further hype by virtue of the fact that Hataałii seems to be forming into something truly singular and yet eminently hospitable to the greats that have moved him. It is very timely, timeless music.
So, ahead of the release, we caught up with the youngster to discuss everything from his thoughts on The Beatles to Bob Dylan, bars and his favourite joke. After all, with a rising star pushed for time, itching to get back in transit so he can edge his way towards horizons of fresh inspiration, what better way is there to get to know him than fling some quick-fire questions his way? Enjoy.
Quick-fire Questions with Hataałii:
1. What song would you want played at your funeral?
“‘Nasty’ by Tinashe.”
2. Where is the best pub in the world?
“The Mine Shaft Tavern, Madrid, New Mexico.”
3. What album have you probably listened to more than any other in your life?
“Nashville Skyline, Bob Dylan.”
4. What was the last book you read? And what would you give it out of 10?
“Hot Water Music by Charles Bukowski. 6.5/10. It had its moments, but I think it was just too depressing.”
5. If you had to get a lyric tattoo, what would it say?
“If I had to get a lyric tattoo, I would probably just kill myself.”
6. When are you at your most creative?
“When I drink coffee at Frontier. Or when I’m in transit.”
7. How often do you practice?
“I try to make music every day if that’s what you mean by practice. I’m not a very good musician, though. I’m only good at putting the different instruments together. I can’t solo or anything cool like that.”
8. What has been the best album of 2024 so far?
“I’m not sure. I’ve been listening to the same 100 songs since I was in middle school, and I don’t really pay attention to anything else. The Drake/Kendrick beef was kind of cool. But I think I’ll just go with Richard Hawley’s new album.”
9. Can you please tell us one of your favourite jokes?
“I’m probably the least funniest person you’d ever meet in real life. People laugh at me when I’m just chilling and hanging out, but when I actually try to put effort into being funny, it never works. I don’t even know any jokes because when I try that kind of stuff, it just dies instantly. Word abortion style. So, at some point, I just stopped trying that. My friend Ryan’s pretty funny, though.”
10. Can you tell us your hangover cure?
“I usually sleep through the hangover so that by the time I wake up, I feel OK. But if I have to wake up with the hangover, I’ll just deal with it. I just turned 21, so I don’t really know any of the hacks or whatever yet. I don’t really drink too heavily.”
11. Can you recommend us an album we’ve probably never heard?
“You guys probably know much more than I do, but Don Cherry’s self-titled album is pretty cool if you haven’t heard that yet.”
12. What is the best David Bowie album?
“I’m not sure. I only listen to ‘China Girl’, ‘Let’s Dance’, and ‘Heroes’. But given that two of those are on Let’s Dance, I’m going to go with that album. I also think there’s too much music in the world, and we all need to calm down.”
13. Have you ever cried at a concert?
“No. I only cry when I’m watching TV with my mom and she starts crying or when I watch TV with my baby nephew. I don’t really go to concerts that often, though.”
14. What is the weirdest gig you’ve ever played?
“I played at The Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid, and this dude wanted to kick my ass because I pissed outside behind his bar. Luz de-escalated the whole thing. I was definitely in the wrong, but I was also being a little prick about it too, so I must’ve just sent him over the edge or something. They all seem cool over there, though.”
15. Are The Beatles overrated?
“Probably not.”
