Hayden is the recording name of Paul Hayden Desser, a Canadian singer-songwriter from Toronto, originally from Thornhill, Ontario. Born in 1971, he begins recording in the early 1990s with a four-track tape recorder and a detuned guitar, and his work develops from lo-fi, grunge-leaning and alternative country material into a more refined blend of rock and folk.

Early releases

Hayden records and self-releases the cassette In September in 1994. Material from that release carries over into his first full album, Everything I Long For, which first appears in 1995 on his own Hardwood Records before being picked up by Outpost Recordings and issued more widely in 1996. The album mixes personal details, darker subject matter and a stripped-down sound that sits between acoustic rock, folk rock and indie rock.

Albums and touring

His second full-length album, The Closer I Get, appears in 1998 after recording sessions in Toronto, Bearsville in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles. After a period away from performances, he writes and records at home in Toronto during 2000, leading to Skyscraper National Park in 2001. A live double album, Live at Convocation Hall, follows in 2002 and documents his concert performances.

In 2004 he releases Elk-Lake Serenade, and in 2008 he returns with In Field & Town, issued in the United States on Fat Possum and in Europe on Affairs of the Heart. Across these records, his style includes folk, indie folk, lo-fi, alternative country and indie rock, alongside personal lyrics and a dry sense of humour.

Style and reception

Hayden’s music combines acoustic and electric elements with an unusually low voice, often drawing comparison with the range of Neil Young and Leonard Cohen. His songs frequently use self-referential fiction and emotionally heavy themes, and his performances are known for a direct rapport with audiences.

Other work

He writes and records the title track for Tree’s Lounge, the Steve Buscemi-directed film. He also tours extensively in Canada, the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, including support dates with Feist and a European support slot with The National.