Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Berry.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Half Dream, is an indie rock band based in Austin, TX and is comprised of myself, Paige Renée Berry (guitar, vocals), Laine Higgins (lead guitar), Wes Armstrong (drums) and John Hetherington (interim bass). Formed in 2018, Half Dream began with the name and songs of Paige Renée Berry, soon changing our moniker to reflect the ethereal and collaborative nature of the sound.
My story begins in Knoxville, TN where I was immersed in sound from a young age. I came to my love of music through my father’s career as an established broadcast engineer for a renowned country station. This influence led me to find my voice quickly and perform frequently in choirs, ensembles, and community events–even performing on the local radio for a short-lived project with a friend in college. Despite the joy it brought me, music would remain a secondary focus in my artistic path.
In 2014, A feeling of stagnance and an emotionally abusive relationship led me to move to Austin, TX sight unseen. Here I found a place to heal and start fresh– a colorful community of musicians who would become her supporters and collaborators. Self-made barriers to writing seemed to fall away and with newfound hope and inspiration, I shifted my focus to music in an intentional way. As I began to hone my skills as a writer and a guitarist, Tyler Jordan joined the effort, adding layers and grit to dream-like songs. Together, we expanded the vision to become a full band effort.
Half Dream’s music draws on my experience as I navigate my own trauma, oscillating focus from personal narrative to universal themes of healing and resilience. Our sound is characterized by floating melodies that find punch in driving hooks, highlighting vocal subtleties and landing somewhere between dream and tenuous reality. These songs were born from a love of storytelling, radical empathy, and unfiltered expression from artists like Joni Mitchell, Simon and Garfunkel, and Helen Reddy. Half Dream finds its home with fans of Angel Olsen, Big Thief, Wye Oak, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus.
Our debut album, Monster of Needing, was self-released in October of 2020, followed by collaborations with artists and producers like Thor Harris (Swans), Elijah Ford (GaryClark Jr.), and Nick Joswick (White Denim). Our most recent single release was “Roses” preceded earlier this year by “Too Much” which is in rotation on KUTX alongside our first-ever single, “Celia.” In May of this year, we recorded our sophomore record with Elijah Ford and Nick Joswick at 5th Street Studios, and made a music video for “Too Much” with Vanessa Pla (Black Angels)–both to be released in the Spring of next year. 2022 was our first year as SXSW official artists, and we have a full year planned for 2023 as we release our second full-length album and continue to gain momentum and support from our community in Austin and beyond.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I became more serious about my music career, I quickly learned that being a working musician is no joke. As an independent artist, you’re tasked with being a booker, manager, administrative professional, social media manager, mediator, and of course–a creator. The digital age paired with late-stage capitalism makes it nearly impossible to make a living in this industry, even for established artists. I’m excited to get involved with local music union efforts to promote fair pay/transparency and an artist-first mentality. Capitalism does not place value on the arts, and as a result, we are asked to commodify ourselves in any way possible just to scare by. Especially in a city that touts itself as “the live music capital of the world,” the treatment of artists is pretty abysmal. There is some truly heartening change via Grassroots efforts from organizations like Austin Music Foundation, HAAM, and SIMS. As a storyteller and mental health advocate, all these issues feel deeply intertwined, and I’m passionate about using my platform to help working musicians find the support they need. At its worst, pursuing music in a professional capacity leads to absolute burnout, and at its best, it’s a collective exchange of ideas between artists envisioning a better way forward through song and community.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been a professional freelance graphic designer for 10+ years, which is how I initially became involved in the Austin music community. When I first moved here, I quickly began to work in event promotion design and for artists with small businesses. Designing for music is a rich well of inspiration, and freed me from some of the more structured work I was doing at an agency in my hometown. It’s clear to me that all roads led to here–combining my passion for art, music, and mental health advocacy. I end every set by talking about how therapy and medication have changed and saved my life and list some resources like HAAM/SIMS as well as offering to be a listening ear after the show. I’m so grateful to be surrounded by friends and musicians who know that personal wellness leads to collective growth, and so lucky to have an outlet to help others seek the joy and relief that I’ve found in Austin. I was honored to be asked by Austin Clubhouse to perform at their 2022 awards ceremony and fundraising event; it was then that I realized that my efforts to spread mental health awareness were seen and recognized. I still get chills every time I catch one of our songs on the radio. Sometimes I get caught up in moving the goalposts with every success–but then I remember the journey is the destination. I’m so grateful for my place in this scene.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
As more professional musicians come forward about the challenges associated with touring and performing, I think we will see continued grassroots efforts for industry reform. If not, Austin and cities like it will become saturated with folks only focused on the financial gain at the expense of artistic merit. I hope and pray that the city seriously considers the viability of artists living and working here, as I know many, many folks who continue to be pushed out. I’m noticing more DIY efforts nationally, which to me, is the heart of the thing. House shows and garage bands–coming together with like-minded folks, sharing space, healing together through song. There’s a Gillian Welch tune called “Everything is Free” that is a gut punch every time. These lyrics feel so poignant and relevant: “Someone hit the big score, they figured it out–we’re gonna do it anyway, even if it doesn’t pay.” The world will be healed by poets, artists, and radical compassion or destroyed by monetizing the things we love until it all disappears.
Contact Info:
- Website:halfdreammusic.com
- Instagram: @halfdreammusic
- Facebook: Facebook.com/halfdreammusic
- Twitter: @halfdreammusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNW-NuZ3BwE3uoecw_HwEA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/half-dream-music
Image Credits
Mateo Bergman (SXSW image, green shirt)
Bella Martinez (personal photo)
Meg Baas (posed group photo)
Paige Berry (5th Street Studios studio image )
