Hayboy is the project of songwriter and producer Daniel Brown, a longtime figure in Austin’s music community whose songs bridge rock, alt-country, and shoegaze with cinematic, raw energy. His debut album, What Rough Beast, was written and recorded during years of medical school and residency, a period when songwriting became both a creative outlet and a way to stay grounded.
After a decade playing in bands across different genres, Brown arrived at the sessions for What Rough Beast with a large collection of songs and no fixed plan. Working closely with producer Lang Freeman (Sounds Under Radio, Live, Dustin Kensrue of Thrice) and a small group of friends — including members of Mamalarky, Ringo Deathstarr, Bully, Manchester Orchestra, Sun June, Miranda Lambert, Flyleaf, Advent, Kolby Cooper, Quiet Company, Pecos & The Rooftops, All Get Out, and more — the record was built live in the studio. Each track came together through instinct and collaboration: Brown brought the songs, the group shaped their parts on the spot, and the takes that felt best stayed.
The result is immediate and dynamic — guitars that hum and breathe, vocals that sit just left of center, and arrangements that move between tension and melody. Brown’s writing is introspective but unsentimental, reflecting on life, ambition, and human experience without leaning on clichés.
The upcoming single “Smartness & Dollars” closes the circle on that approach. It’s a driving, clear-eyed song about ambition and the cost of chasing it. As the final preview before What Rough Beast, it sets the stage for what’s next: a series of new releases and solo shows that expand on Hayboy’s live, collaborative sound while keeping the focus squarely on the songs themselves.
Hayboy is available to play solo and full band shows. Email booking@toyvoicerecords.com
For other info, email contact@toyvoicerecords.com