Halestorm – Fresh off their latest album Everest, guitarist and singer Lzzy Hale reflects on two decades of fearless reinvention. In this candid conversation, she talks about recording with Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb, rediscovering the band’s raw spark, and navigating personal transformation while remaining unapologetically herself. From creative risks in the studio to the emotional climb behind Everest, Lzzy shares how growth, change, and honesty keep Halestorm’s fire burning after nearly 25 years on the road.
Welcome to Lzzy from Halestorm
So, Lzzy, first I want to thank you for being here tonight. For me it’s evening, so—tonight. Welcome! How are you, and how is this crazy period treating you?
It’s been wonderful. We released the album a couple of months ago, and it’s been an amazing trip—playing shows every single night and hearing people already singing the new songs back to us. It always amazes me, especially so soon after the record’s release, how quickly listeners take the songs to heart and make them their own. It’s been wonderful to see, and we’ve been traveling a lot.
Working with producer Dave Cobb
I know that for Everest Halestorm worked with country producer Dave Cobb, which brings another perspective. How was it to work with him? What was the most important lesson you learned, given that he comes from a different musical genre? Country and rock share a work ethic, but they can also be complete opposites.
Yes. We chose Dave Cobb specifically to shake things up and make ourselves uncomfortable. The biggest takeaway was the way we ended up recording—the spontaneity of it. You have to trust yourself in the moment. Dave doesn’t like demos or re-recording; he never wants to repeat what we did yesterday.
Working with producer Dave Cobb [continues]
Everything had to be new. We wrote and recorded at the same time, which was nerve-wracking because you feel unprepared. But we learned the importance of trusting ourselves and our instincts, not worrying too much about what people might think, and letting excitement guide us.
It was incredibly inspiring. Joe and I even built an API board and a studio in our house, thinking, “If we can make a record in real time, why not do this all the time?” After this tour, once the new year starts, we’re looking forward to recording again and making another album.
Reigniting the sparkle in Halestorm
It sounds like working with Dave reignited a spark—like you found something again.
Absolutely. It felt like a long road back to the beginning. The four of us have been friends and bandmates for over 20 years—almost 23 now—and it felt like being back in our parents’ basement, excited and unsupervised, believing the world was ours.
It was also amazing to see everyone shine. Joe delivered the best guitar work I’ve ever heard from him on a recording, completely free to do his thing with no one hovering. The same goes for the rhythm section. Josh played bass and synths, and everyone contributed to the backing vocals. My brother, who’s hard to capture on tape as a drummer, sounds incredible here. That’s a huge testament to how we worked with Dave.
“As people, we don’t come home from tour the same as when we left”
I’ve listened to the album—you’re literally on fire. I’ve followed Halestorm from the start, and Everest feels like new blood. After 20 years it even marks a kind of anniversary. How have you managed to keep reinventing yourselves for almost 25 years? Each album sounds different; you never stick to one formula.
Honestly, it would be harder to stay the same. It would be harder to say, “This is who we are,” and keep repeating it—writing “I Miss the Misery 2,” “I Get Off 2,” and so on.
As people, we don’t come home from tour the same as when we left. We’re always growing and evolving, trying to be better. We need that freedom to reinvent ourselves and explore. I still listen to some of what I loved as a kid, but I’m always searching for something new that excites me. Sometimes you have to look inside yourself for that spark. And it’s not just me—the guys are the same way.
As long as all four of us are on the same page, still like each other, and still enjoy this, we’ll keep reaching forward. Who knows what the next album will be.
Rediscovering myself
When I listen to Everest—your guitar, your singing—it feels like you’ve found something new in yourself. Almost like you’re saying, “This is the new me. Take it or leave it. I won’t change for anyone.”
No, absolutely. There was a sense of purgatory—a real need for change. While I was writing this album, I knew I wasn’t who I had been, but I also didn’t yet know who I was becoming. I had to discover that along the way. It’s tough, because change brings a kind of mourning. We all crave comfort; part of us wants everything to stay the same. You’re saying goodbye to a former version of yourself, almost holding a funeral for it, while stepping into the unknown of who you’re trying to become.
That’s painful, because you catch yourself thinking, Why can’t things just stay like this? But they can’t. In many ways, you have to create and write through that transition. Without making music and exploring new ideas, it’s hard to become the best version of yourself. For me, creation is the tool that makes that growth possible. So yes, your instincts are right.
Change, mourning, even a funeral
Thank you. You mentioned change, mourning, even a funeral. How do you face that, especially as a public figure with younger generations watching you? That must feel like a lot of pressure.
Yeah, I definitely feel some of that. I have to constantly remind myself that it’s okay not to have everything figured out—no one really does. I’m never going to have all the answers. All I can do is my best: to keep growing and be the best person I can be. That’s why I don’t put too much pressure on myself to be the “perfect” role model. If I tried too hard to be flawless or to set some impossible example, it would only come across as fake—because I’m not perfect, and I’m going to make mistakes.
What matters to me is being honest and saying, “This is who I am—imperfections and all.” I’m going to have bad days. I’m going to get sad sometimes, then find myself again, and maybe swing back to being manically happy and a little crazy. Those ups and downs are just part of being human.
I think honesty sets a better example anyway. Most people don’t want to look up to someone who seems untouchably perfect—that doesn’t help anyone. When I see artists I admire make mistakes or just show their humanity, it actually makes me feel better about myself. It reminds me that even they are normal people going through life’s highs and lows. The only difference is that I happen to have a really weird job [laughs].
Being just a human being
I agree. The artists I follow feel human to me. It’s comforting to think they also wake up some days feeling tired or wanting to do nothing.
Exactly. I have days when I’m thrilled to be alive, and days when I don’t want to talk to anyone. Of course, those are usually the days when I have to be out there performing. Life never lines up neatly with the schedule.
The cover artwork of Everest, the latest album of Halestorm
I really love Everest, and the cover art fits the music perfectly—the stairs, the woman on the ground. It feels human and mirrors the themes we’ve talked about. To me, the stairs represent hardship and the climb through it.
What I love about Everest, especially when we play it live, is watching everyone in the crowd look inward—each person reflecting on their own journey, their own climb. I glance over at Joe, RJ, and the rest of my bandmates and think, Wow, this path we chose… Sometimes I wonder if it’s the other way around, like music chose us instead of us choosing it. By all logic, it shouldn’t have worked out. We’re just a bunch of dorks from Pennsylvania with zero experience in the music business. No rich uncles, no inside connections—we had to figure it out step by step.
The cover artwork of Everest, the latest album of Halestorm [continues]
So the fact that we’re still here, still loving what we do, and that people actually care—it’s surreal. Writing this song reminded me how tough this business can be, how hard times hit, yet how grateful I am for every part of it. Honestly, what else would I be doing with my life? I’m not exactly “qualified” for anything else, and I’m so glad it worked out this way.
That’s why I love that we named the album Everest. It forces us to reflect on our journey—everything we’ve faced and everything we’ve overcome. The fact that we’re still standing is mind-blowing, especially considering I’ve been in this band since I was 13. If I could somehow go back and tell my 13-year-old self, “Hey, this is where you’ll end up,” she’d never believe me. She’d probably say, “You’re some crazy old lady, and I have no idea what you’re talking about!” [laughs]
“All those missteps helped create the path I’m on now”
Maybe a rhetorical question, but do you have any regrets—things you did or didn’t do?
I’ve definitely made mistakes and had a few close calls in this business—moments that could have been really detrimental. There are plenty of things I probably shouldn’t have done or could have handled better. But honestly, my naivety at the start—having no idea how the industry worked—ended up shaping everything. All those missteps helped create the path I’m on now.
I don’t think I’d go back and change anything, because if I’d known more, or taken a different turn—left instead of right—I might not have ended up here. A lot of our best moments came precisely because our plans didn’t work out. Looking back, I’m grateful for the times I didn’t know any better. If I’d known all the hidden rules or the hardships of the business, it might have scared me off or changed the way we approached things.
Instead, our attitude was always, We don’t know how to do this, but we’ll figure it out. We didn’t take the “business” side too seriously—we just stayed serious about problem-solving. Even if we hit a wall, we’d find a way to climb over it. There’s a real beauty in not knowing everything.
How life is unpredicatable…
I understand that completely. I went back to school at 27 to finish my bachelor’s. I’m 35 now and will finally graduate next year. I planned to finish in four years, but life got in the way—mental health issues, delays. I’m glad I was naïve enough to keep going.
Congratulations—that’s wonderful.
And congratulations to you, because you didn’t stop.
Well, congratulations to you too, because you didn’t stop—you pivoted. Life is unpredictable, and there’s no way anyone can have it all figured out. We can all try, sure, but there’s no perfect plan.
I think about that with my parents a lot. They both had their own dreams. They waited ten years to have me. My dad played in bands, but that never worked out. My mom wanted to be an actress and a model, and those paths didn’t pan out either. But because they stayed home and raised us, we were able to chase our dreams.
It’s interesting to see how things unfold. It really does feel like everything happens for a reason, even if it’s completely out of our control.
…and the paths of life.
I completely agree. Everything is out of our hands in the end. I’m still amazed by your persistence. You could have stayed in Pennsylvania and done something else, but you didn’t—and I’m glad.
Thank you. Me too. Sometimes I wonder what I’d be doing otherwise, and I have no idea. Probably nothing fun.
The headlining tour for Halestorm in Europe
Same here. So, Lzzy, Europe is right at your doorstep for Halestorm. You’re coming to the Netherlands with the kickoff lineup—Bloodywood and Kelsy Karter & The Heroines. This tour is bigger than ever, and you’ll play the Ziggo Dome for 10,000 fans.
I know—isn’t that crazy?!
It’s unbelievable. Four years ago I never imagined it. I’m still amazed. Congratulations.
Thank you! I’m so excited to headline Europe again. It’s been a while, and it’s incredible to see the growth and the fans still showing up and buying tickets. We’re also thrilled to tour with Bloodywood. I’ve only seen them online, so that will be amazing.
I hope I can join you there. Either way, thank you for your time. It’s been an honor to talk with you. Have a great show in Toronto and a wonderful day.
Thank you so much. You’re awesome, and I really appreciate you taking the time. You’re delightful to talk to.