Jonny Hayes

Songwriter Jonny Hayes has built his songs on personal, contemplative lyrics and exploratory live sounds that range from pastoral indie folk to alternative rock.

Raised in seaside Hout Bay on artists such as Mumford & Sons, Ben Howard, José González, Civil Twilight and Benjamin Francis Leftwich; Jonny has sold-out a handful of debut shows. In a few short years, his singles I Won't Let You Go, Bathe, and Movie found him featured on Apple Music’s New Music Daily, New In Alternative and Beneath the Stars playlists as well as select Spotify editorial playlists.

Born in 1998 in Cape Town, South Africa, Jonny didn’t sing or play any instruments as a teenager or a kid. This was in spite of music playing in the family home, as well as his mom being a violinist.

While at university in his early twenties, he began playing guitar and piano as part of church bands. This was a time where a growing wonder and a deep love for songwriting were cultivated. Every couple of weeks, he would meet up with a close friend, with the two of them singing and playing guitar together.

In December 2018, Jonny decided to place a couple of voice memo recordings on Soundcloud by way of some kind friends. Never set on self-promotion, these songs remained a secret. Jonny continued to upload a voice memo per month in 2019. In 2020, he wrote, recorded and produced the 5-track ‘Memories’ EP. It's been a journey ever since.