Hayloft From Tomato/Tomato to Arena-Sized Intimacy

In a cramped rehearsal space tucked away in Nashville’s music district, Hayloft is putting the finishing touches on its set before heading out on tour. The four-piece—David Goodheart on guitar, Andrew Kaiser handling vocals, Paul Owen behind the drums, and Emilio Cueto on bass—moves with the practised ease of musicians who’ve found their groove. But there’s something different about this band, something that sets them apart in Nashville’s oversaturated music scene.

‘In Nashville, talent is everywhere,’ Kaiser explains, adjusting his microphone stand. ‘You can shred all night and no one will care unless you make it memorable.’ It’s this philosophy that has driven Hayloft to become what many consider one of the most exciting new live acts to watch, especially following the release of their debut album “Tomato/Tomato.”

The band’s origin story reads like a modern music fairy tale. Goodheart and Kaiser first crossed paths at work, where their friendship blossomed over shared musical obsessions. ‘The more we hung out, the more we realised how many artists we had in common,’ they recall, listing off influences that span from Everything Everything and Dream Theater to Mother Mother and Paramore. When Owen and Cueto joined the fold, each brought their own musical DNA into the mix, but those foundational shared favourites became the bedrock of Hayloft’s distinctive chemistry.

Their sound—often dubbed ‘prog-adjacent indie rock’—emerged organically rather than through calculated genre-blending. ‘We really just wrote with the genres we knew,’ the band explains. Drawing from folk and Americana to video game music, film scores, and choral arrangements, their music filters diverse influences through a commitment to adventure without sacrificing accessibility. ‘The Hayloft Sound ended up being this natural nexus between us all. It wasn’t engineered, it just happened.’

This embrace of eclectic influences is worn proudly on their sleeves. ‘We’ll literally call a section “the MUSE part” or “the Beatles part,”‘ they laugh. ‘Emilio’s been bringing in his Latin jazz roots, Dav’s experimenting with montuno sections, and Paul’s unique percussion background keeps infiltrating the sound in the best way. It’s really exciting to hear where all these things collide.’

When it came time to craft “Tomato/Tomato,” the band’s approach defied industry convention. Rather than building toward an album through singles, they completed the full record first. ‘We had the whole record done before picking singles,’ they explain. ‘It was more about asking, “Which songs best represent us while also being the most approachable?” Singles are about drawing people in, then the album lets you dive deeper.’

Among the tracks, “Adjusted” is fun because it flips the normal structure,’ they note with evident pride. ‘Our verses carry more energy than the choruses.’ But it’s “No Wonder” that holds special significance—a song that almost didn’t cut. ‘It became this wild mix of Beatles-inspired sections, slinky chromatic choruses, and a theatrical outro with key changes. That one nearly didn’t make the record, but when it clicked, it really clicked. Now it’s a fan favourite.’

The album’s playful title emerged from an equally spontaneous moment. ‘The story came while eating chips and salsa under a server’s tattoo that translated to “Live” in English. Was it “to live” or “alive”? We laughed and said, “Tomato/Tomato.” Then we all looked at each other and knew. That’s it.’ The title reflects the band’s philosophy: ‘It’s playful, but also interpretive. You can pronounce it however you like, just like you can experience the album however you like.’

Where Hayloft truly distinguishes itself is in their live performances, which they describe as ‘arena-sized experiences in small venues.’ This concept didn’t emerge from ego or ambition alone, but from a deeper understanding of what makes live music memorable. ‘It’s all about storytelling,’ they explain. ‘We wanted to build a set that flows like a story, with tension and release.’

This vision led them to invest in 6-foot LED screens, live visuals, and immersive storytelling elements that transform intimate club shows into something much grander. ‘Sometimes Pikachu even sneaks in during our video-game covers,’ they laugh, revealing the playful side of their theatrical ambitions.

Their production values have evolved dramatically from humble beginnings. ‘We started with just our instruments and Ableton. Now we’ve got screens, and lights are probably next. We’d love to add interactive tech for fans, but the only limit is how much gear our van can haul.’

The investment in spectacle has paid dividends in audience connection. While they smile at the memory of someone telling them, ‘You should tell people you’re actually good,’ it’s praise from fellow musicians that resonates most deeply. ‘The most moving moment came from Courtney Swain of Bent Knee. Even during a set where tech issues threw us off, she praised our passion and talent on stage. That meant the world.’

As they prepare for an ambitious tour including Southeast Indie Fest with stops in Nashville, Muncie, Chicago, and Detroit, their booking philosophy reflects the community-driven nature of their growth. ‘It’s all networking and friendships. Zuko from MoreDopeMusic brought us into SEIF, Midwest bands introduced us to venues, and friends in Detroit connected us with their scene. It’s all about people, not just places.’

Their horizons extend far beyond the American Midwest. ‘Fans in Portugal and Italy are already asking for shows. Europe is definitely on our radar,’ they reveal. When asked about bringing their immersive show to international stages, their response is immediate: ‘Absolutely. We’d love nothing more than to bring this setup overseas.’

Balancing their studio ambitions with live performance realities requires constant recalibration. ‘We walk a fine line between making a full studio sound and ensuring we can faithfully recreate it live. Sometimes we struggle, but when we hit that balance, the energy is incredible. A fifth member for keys might be our next move.’

The creative process behind “Tomato/Tomato” was, in their words, ‘chaos in the best way.’ ‘Everyone threw ideas around, which wasn’t the fastest method, but it gave us a rich result.’ They’ve since streamlined their approach: ‘For new songs, Kaiser usually brings early ideas, lyrics, and melodies. Dav shapes them with the “Hayloft Treatment,” and then Emilio and Paul add their layers. It’s a pipeline that lets everyone shine.’

This refined process is already bearing fruit. ‘Two post-album songs are in the live set now, and several more are close. These songs reflect our growth through lineup changes, but keep our DNA intact. Syncopated rhythms, unusual chord progressions, searing riffs. We don’t know how to stop writing, and we’re not about to try.’

Looking back on their journey, “No Wonder” stands out as a turning point. ‘It went through six different versions before we landed on the right one. When we did, it felt like a breakthrough moment.’

Their connection with fans extends beyond the stage through social media and post-show interactions. ‘We love sharing behind-the-scenes moments, songwriting clips, goofy rehearsal moments. It’s what we love seeing from other bands, so we give that to our fans. And honestly, come talk to us after shows. We’re always down to chat or to have help at the merch table.’

For emerging artists navigating their own paths, Hayloft’s advice is refreshingly direct: ‘Be yourselves, fully. Whatever your vibe is, lean into it. And don’t be afraid to shoot your shot. DM that bigger band or venue. You never know what could happen. Last year, Kaiser ended up singing with Leprous because of a DM. Just go for it.’

As our conversation winds down and the band prepares to load their van with an impressive array of equipment, it’s clear that Hayloft represents something special in indie rock’s current landscape. They’ve managed to be both deeply personal and larger than life, crafting music that satisfies prog nerds while remaining accessible to casual listeners, and creating live experiences that feel massive regardless of venue size.

With their ambitious debut album earning critical praise, their immersive shows drawing devoted fans, and their relentless creativity already producing new material, Hayloft’s trajectory seems pointed toward those international stages they dream of playing. As they continue their journey from Nashville rehearsal spaces to potentially global recognition, one thing becomes abundantly clear: their story is just beginning, and the best chapters may still be unwritten.