A wandering heart with a West Coast glow.
Raised in a small agricultural town outside of San Francisco and now rooted in Los Angeles, Haylie Davis writes songs that feel lived-in and hard won. Raised on country radio and blue-collar graft, Davis threads that humility and work ethic through her debut album Wandering Star. It’s a record forged in hustle, hardship and self-belief; instinct-led and driven by a quiet refusal to let go of creative ambition.
"At 19 I dropped out of school and decided to live in LA to chase my wild dream of being an artist. I actually already was one, it was just a matter of accepting who I was."
Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Karen Carpenter, the early 1970s songwriting greats hover gently in the background, but Wandering Star never feels like an exercise in nostalgia. These are gorgeously melodic, soft-focus confessionals that land with emotional precision. It’s Laurel Canyon by way of 2026: classic in feel, yet unmistakably of the present.
Having cut her teeth in dive bars and restaurant shifts, and finding kinship in a tight-knit LA community alongside the likes of Sam Burton and Drugdealer, this debut carries real weight. It measures love and loss against identity and understands both the courage it takes to drift and the strength required to keep faith in your own artistic direction. A Rough Trade tip for 2026, we adore this record and so will you.
For fans of: Weyes Blood, Angel Olsen, Lana Del Rey, Clairo, Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris
We're excited to announce Haylie Davis as part of Rough Trade On The Rise, our dedicated curation putting a spotlight on the emerging music we are the most excited for you to hear, to follow and become a fan of. Read on to discover more about the artist in her own words and don't miss debut album Wandering Star on Fire Records.
Haylie Davis on Haylie Davis
A self-penned bio
Five by Five
5 Qs, 5 As
Describe Haylie Davis in 5 words?
Strange, lone-wolf, brunette, woman, singer.
5 records you listened to prior to making your EP?
Blue - Joni Mitchell
Grievous Angel - Gram Parsons
Belladonna - Stevie Nicks
Talking Book - Stevie Wonder
Nashville Skyline - Bob Dylan
Top 5 career moments since forming?
Sam Burton took me on his tour to Europe when he opened for Weyes Blood. I sang harmony but he let me sing one solo song. It was a smash hit! It was my first time in front of a huge crowd and they absolutely loved that song. It was also my first time in Europe. I really appreciate Sam taking me and letting me have a song.
Getting signed to Fire Records. I never thought I would get signed!
Touring solo opening for The Nude Party and then The Cactus Blossoms.
Recording, mixing and mastering Wandering Star. This album process took a long time. It was self funded, and there were lots of ups and downs. I had so much support from the community, and I am just so proud and happy it’s done. I can’t wait to hear the vinyl!
Just touring singing harmony for Sam Burton, Alex Amen, and Sylvie. Touring is my favourite thing in the world.
5 tips or words of wisdom you'd offer an artist entering the industry in 2026?
Turn around!
Only joking, but to be honest I don't really know what's going on here. I just try to stay in my lane and not get distracted. Everybody's path will be different so don't compare yourself to others.
Don't please the robot, please yourself!
Don't think when you write, but write a lot.
Embrace who you are.