As part of our founder-led interview series, we sit down with Off The Wally to explore the rhythms behind his creative world.
From organic songwriting to daily rituals shared with his daughter, this conversation reflects a life led with intention, spontaneity, and heart.
M & E: To begin, tell us about you … the person behind Off The Wally
Where do you live, and who makes up your day-to-day world?
JH: I live in Manly Beach, Sydney and my day to day is filled with my beautiful, chaotically creative daughter, Tallulah and my ever inspiring partner, Jess.
M & E: If I asked your school teachers what kind of student you were, what do you think they’d say?
JH: Hmm, great question! I suppose my primary school teachers might say energetic and outdoorsy and my high school teachers would say curious and creative.
M & E: What are the best ways for you to drop into a creative flow? Is it structured, or does it happen when it happens?
JH: Creative flow for me is completely organic. It can really strike at any moment, in any place, at any time. The only reason a song comes into existence for me is if I’m near the studio to record what I’m feeling. Otherwise, that creative urge turns into a funny song to help my daughter put her shoes and socks on or a funny dance to make her laugh.
M & E: Growing up, was your home filled with music? Or was this a path you found on your own? When did your love for music really begin?
JH: Growing up my house was definitely filled with music, even if i didn’t really notice it at the time. I remember back to my parents having friends over and blasting rock classics while us kids all ran around the house. The music varied. Sometimes it was Midnight Oil and AC/DC and other times it was Deep Purple and Frank Zappa. Dad always saved the heavy stuff for the car rides though, Metallica, Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Silverchair. I think that’s where I started to find my rhythm, watching him tap away on the steering wheel and try copy him and stay in time with the music. My love for music definitely started there, with my dad.
M & E: We speak a lot about ritual at Maurie and Eve. I don’t think ritual belongs to one gender ~ it’s about intention. Do you have any daily habits or rhythms that support your mood, your energy, and your creative flow?
JH: A daily ritual of mine I like to try and stick to is a walk in the botanic gardens every morning and afternoon. If I have time in the mornings, I’ll always stroll through the garden on the way into town. Walking through our garden feels like you’ve entered into a portal of still and calm. It’s a beautiful botanic garden situated right in the heart of Manly and being inside it really transports you to another world. In the afternoons I’ll take Tully down there and we explore plants, trees and rocks and point out our favourite birds. It’s the best way to end the day.
M & E: Is there anything exciting on the horizon for you … new projects, collaborations, or music in the pipeline?
JH: I’ve got a bunch of new singles coming up in the next few months, followed by a new album in the middle of the year, so that’s very exciting! I’ve been sitting on new music for a while, it’s time to share it!
M & E: You’re heading out on a road trip… do you carefully plan a playlist, or do you let the music unfold as you go?
JH: Oooooh, road trip playlists for me are crucial! I really lose myself in music while I’m driving, so getting a good, solid flow is so important. I will either curate my own playlist of similar sounds and vibes or choose an artist I love and listen to all of their albums.
M & E: You’re a father … How has the journey of fatherhood shaped you?
JH: Fatherhood has without a doubt, been the most amazing and blessed feeling I have ever experienced in my entire life. I was truely not ready for how it made me feel. I mean, I’ve experienced a lot of joy, thrill and excitement in my life but nothing, and I really mean nothing, even comes close to the feelings your child creates for you. When they see you after a long day and instantly smile and run up to hug you, when they laugh uncontrollably at the silliest things you do, when they come and cuddle you for no reason and squeeze you so tight! There’s so many magical moments with fatherhood and it’s shaping me into the man I didn’t even know I needed to become, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.
M & E: Your recent track Lost in Time, which features in our latest campaign, Between the Tides, feels beautifully aligned. Can you share how that song began? What was the process of unravelling to bring it together?
JH: Lost In Time was born from slow, but purposeful energy. It was just me and my guitar conversing back and forth until we both agreed on something we liked and the rest of the flow happened from there.
M & E: Hot or cold breakfast?
JH: Oh golly, well I’m known to be a bit of a cereal guy! I love a cheeky bowl of cereal, but how can you say no to a hot breakfast!? Can I have both, please? Haha
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