With evocative vocals and tender storytelling, Halley Neal’s heartfelt single “Emily” captures the essence of a lifelong bond and sets the tone for her latest album, ‘Letter for a Friend.’

Stream: “Emily” – Halley Neal

Rooted in vulnerability and gratitude, Halley Neal transforms real-life relationships into songs of love, growth, and remembrance – music that finds beauty in the bonds that shape who we are.

The New England-based singer/songwriter honors the quiet strength of a lifelong friendship in her heartfelt song “Emily,” a highlight off her recently-released album Letter For a Friend. A gentle folk-pop ballad wrapped in lush acoustic textures, “Emily” showcases Neal’s signature blend of gorgeous vocals and idyllic melodies. The pensive piece is an intimate and emotionally rich folk-pop track inspired by the artist’s oldest friend, a quiet yet powerful presence who helped shape her early years. The song reflects on the lasting impact of a formative friendship, one that stays with you no matter how much time or change life brings.

Letter For a Friend - Halley Neal — Halley Neal’s latest album ‘Letter For a Friend’ is out now

Neal is quickly making a name for herself in the Americana and folk scenes, touring across the country and performing in renowned listening rooms and folk venues. Her journey has taken her to the stages of iconic festivals like the Kerrville Folk Festival, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, and Telluride Bluegrass Festival. One of the highlights of her career was opening for Grammy-winning artist Sara Bareilles and sharing the stage with her in a duet. This is an achievement that speaks volumes about her passion and commitment.

Her latest release, Letter For a Friend, is a concept album with connection at its core. Each song is written as a personal letter to someone who has significantly influenced her life. It’s an intentional and intimate collection of music that Neal is really looking forward to sharing with everyone. Atwood Magazine spoke with the artist about her multifaceted album, the inspiration behind “Emily,” and more; read our intimate interview below.

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:: stream/purchase Letter For a Friend here ::

:: connect with Halley Neal here ::

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‘Letter For a Friend’ – Halley Neal

A CONVERSATION WITH HALLEY NEAL

Atwood Magazine: I really admire your emotive, heartfelt folk musical flair. How did your style evolve over time?

Halley Neal: The people and musicians I’ve been surrounded by as I’ve grown as an artist have deeply influenced the music I make. But alongside that, I’ve also grown and evolved as a person – becoming more aware of who I am and what I care about. Over time, I’ve become more comfortable with vulnerability, and these days, I actually crave it. I love sharing that part of myself with an audience.

I think that’s why my new album, Letter for a Friend, feels like the most honest version of who I am right now. It’s vulnerable, real, and tells stories that reflect the person I’ve grown into.

You spent time in Nashville and are now based in Boston, how have these places influenced your music?

Halley Neal: I definitely think my style has been hugely shaped by the people and places around me at all the different stages of my life. I grew up with hippie parents who loved the Grateful Dead and Paul Simon, so I was raised on a steady diet of classic folk and rock. In high school, I got really into community theater, and that’s when I discovered Sara Bareilles. I became obsessed with powerful vocalists – big long notes, emotional storytelling, and real raw performances.

After that, I moved to Boston to study contemporary music at Berklee, where I was surrounded by incredible jazz musicians, and I totally fell in love with jazz. Then I lived in Nashville for about five years, where country music was all around me.

Now, identifying as a folk Americana artist feels like the most honest version of me – it’s a blend of everything I’ve grown up listening to and learning from, filtered through my own lens.

Your releases are known for their soaring vocals and rich bluegrass-inspired backdrops. How did you craft that signature sound?

Halley Neal: Singing has always been my thing first – I center everything I do musically around being a vocalist. It’s the place I feel most at home and the truest expression of who I am. Before I ever picked up a guitar or started writing songs, I was singing. It’s how I connect with myself, with others, and with the emotion behind every lyric. Honestly, it’s not just part of my artistry – it’s a huge part of my identity as a human. I’ve always been drawn to raw, emotional vocalists, and I try to bring that same kind of openness and honesty into my own singing.

The bluegrass-inspired parts of my sound actually came from the musicians I tour with! A few years ago, I started playing live as a trio with upright bass and fiddle, and that setup has been such a creatively inspiring way to expand my musicianship. The two guys I play with both have deep backgrounds in bluegrass, and over time, that influence naturally found its way into the arrangements of my songs. It added a new dimension to the music – one that’s vibrant, rootsy, and full of life. I absolutely love how it’s helped shape a sound that feels unique and textured, while still being grounded in the voice and storytelling that’s always been at the heart of what I do.

“Emily” is such an honest tribute. How did revisiting that friendship during the writing process affect you personally or creatively, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?

Halley Neal: Writing “Emily” was such a meaningful experience for me. Revisiting that friendship during the writing process really brought up a lot emotionally, in the best way. It made me reflect on all the phases of life we’ve moved through together – childhood, growing up, growing apart a little, and then finding our way back to each other as adults. That kind of history with someone is rare, and writing about it reminded me how special it is to have someone in your life who’s seen all your versions and loved you through them.

Creatively, it pushed me to write from a place of pure sincerity. I didn’t want to dress anything up – I just wanted it to feel real and honest. That vulnerability opened up something new in my writing, and it actually became the cornerstone for my entire upcoming album, Letter for a Friend. The album is a collection of songs written as letters to people who have shaped my life, and “Emily” was the song that showed me what that could sound and feel like. It set the emotional tone for the rest of the record.

What I really hope listeners take away from “Emily” is a sense of connection. Even though it’s such a specific story from my own life, I think we all have – or have had – an “Emily.” Someone who’s been there through it all. I hope it helps people reflect on those relationships in their own lives, and maybe even reach out to say, “Hey, I’m grateful for you.”

The song captures the lasting imprint of a childhood friendship. What has this relationship taught you about the kind of connection that endures?

Halley Neal: This relationship has taught me that the kind of connection that endures isn’t always loud or constant – it’s steady, deep, and rooted in a shared history that time can’t really touch. Emily and I have grown in different directions at times, lived in different places, gone through different life chapters, but the core of our friendship has always stayed the same. There’s something incredibly grounding about having someone in your life who knew you before you became who you are now – someone who saw all the early versions of you and still shows up with love and understanding.

It’s taught me that enduring connection is built on presence, trust, and an ability to grow alongside each other, even when you’re not always side by side. There’s a quiet strength.

You have opened for huge icons such as Sara Bareilles. Tell me more about what that experience was like?

Halley Neal: Opening for Sara Bareilles was one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had as an artist. I’ve looked up to her for over a decade, so in many ways, it felt like something I’d quietly manifested for years. Getting to not only open the show but also sing with her during her set was surreal. I asked backstage if she’d ever want to sing something together, and to my surprise, she said yes without missing a beat. We sang her song Orpheus as a duet, and even without a rehearsal, it felt totally natural and connected.

She watched my whole set from the side stage and even referenced something I said during hers, which meant a lot. Afterward, she told me, “Beautiful voice, beautiful songwriting.” That kind of kindness and encouragement from someone I’ve admired for so long is something I’ll never forget.

Who’s at the top of your musical collaboration wish list, and what would you hope to create together?

Halley Neal: For years, that answer would have been Sara Bareilles – and honestly, it still is, even though I recently had the chance to check that off my bucket list in the most surreal way. But if I had to name someone else, I’d absolutely love to collaborate with Nickel Creek in a live setting. It would be incredible to play alongside Chris Thile, who I truly think is one of the most remarkable musicians of our generation. And no one does live harmonies like Nickel Creek – they have this effortless blend and energy that I’d love to be a part of.

Halley Neal: Honestly, what inspired the album was writing the song “Emily,” which became the first single off the record. Sharing that song with Emily was such a powerful moment – it reminded me how meaningful it can be to tell someone, directly, how they’ve shaped your life. That kind of personal honesty felt really special, and I wanted to explore it further. So I started writing more songs as letters, and even reshaped a few older ones to fit that concept.

It’s definitely a vulnerable way to write, but it’s also allowed me to connect with audiences in a deeper way. I’ve found that the more specific and personal I get, the more people seem to find themselves in the songs. There’s something really beautiful about that – about using these letters to spark reflection, connection, and even healing. It’s been one of the most fulfilling creative processes I’ve had so far.

What’s next for Halley Neal?

Halley Neal: My new album Letter For a Friend is out now, and I’ll be heading out on an album release tour to celebrate it. I’ve put together a run of shows at listening rooms, and folk venues – places that really invite connection and storytelling, which feels like the perfect fit for this record. These songs are so personal, and I’m really excited to share them in intimate spaces where I can talk about the stories behind them and connect directly with audiences. It’ll be a mix of new material from the album and some older favorites, and I can’t wait to be out on the road meeting people and playing these songs live.

=Who’s been on your playlist lately? Any artists you'd suggest our readers check out?

Halley Neal: Lately, I’ve been absolutely loving diving back into some of the older albums from The Weepies. Deb Talan is a force – her writing is raw, quirky, charming, and so emotionally spot-on. I’ve been revisiting songs that feel like classics to me, and I’m always surprised by how many of my friends haven’t heard them yet. If you haven’t listened to The Weepies, now is your moment!

My sort of unexpected favorite lately has been a playlist full of old crooner songs – Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole. That era of music has such a warmth to it; it feels like stepping into a black-and-white film or slow dancing in a candlelit room. There’s a timeless charm in those classic love songs that just instantly lifts my mood. I find myself reaching for them during long drives or when I’m doing something simple like washing dishes – they bring this easy joy and a sense of nostalgia for a world I never knew, but somehow still feel connected to.

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