One half of indie electrorock band, Uh Huh Her, (the other half being Camila Grey), Leisha Hailey is well known for her portrayal of Alice Pieszecki, a bisexual journalist on Showtime’s hit The L Word. But her incredible acting skills aside, she’s also something of a rock-star. Not buying it? Check out her discography, going back to the late 90s. She writes, sings, and plays several instruments for Uh Huh Her. Hailey is doing what she’s always seemed to do; living life on a positive note, both personally and professionally. As she chats with eBurban, she breaks it all down for us.
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Hyde Walker: How would you personally describe your music?
Leisha Hailey: It’s definitely electronic based, but we have more rock qualities than we used to.
HW: And how did that come about? Did you just progress as time went on, or did you have any particular influences?
LH: I think we’re influencing each other. I’m more of a rock girl and maybe that’s what influences Camila’s style of writing at this point. When she used to write alone it was more electronic because she had built everything in the studio by herself, and other influences just changed. Also, when we came out with Common Reaction we felt it was a little too shoegaze-y and wanted people to be able to get into it [music] more.
HW: Do you have a creative process when it comes to making your songs?
LH: Yeah! I’ve been challenged in a sense, because I used to write by just sitting down with a guitar and write a song from beginning to end. But with Cam, she’s taught me a lot about building up tracks, and it’s a completely different way of writing for me. I’ve also learned new instruments in this band.
HW: You sound like an evolving artist, my favorite kind.
LH: Oh, thanks! [Laughs]
HW: Speaking of evolving, do you think you and Camila will try other genres?
LH: Gosh, I don’t know. I mean, we’re not going to go and do a rap record you know [laughs]. Not to say I’m not intrigued by your question, but I don’t know. It would have to come organically for sure.
HW: Of course, of course. Outside of music and acting, are there other areas of entertainment that you’re interested in?
LH: Not really. Well, my other passion is more of a private thing, I love to paint.
HW: Oh, really?!
LH: Yeah, that’s what I do during my down-time.
HW: Do you intend on going public with your paintings?
LH: I don’t know! People have suggested that I try that, but, I’m not a trained artist and I feel like I’d be putting myself out there. I’ve done it since I was a little kid, I used to take painting classes. I did that and plays, that was pretty much my whole childhood [laughs].
HW: That’s amazing. I think you can be brave and put yourself out there. I mean, there are so many talented artists who aren’t trained, and they still go for it.
LH: Maybe when I’m retired. I’ll have a little house on a farm when I’m old and churn out paintings or something.
HW: Sounds very Georgia O’Keefe.
LH: [Laughs] I know right.
HW: That would be pretty awesome. I hope you get to do that someday.
LH: Thank you.
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