In the Country with Dave Woods:
Hayden Ryann

Growing up in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood, Hayden found her love for music early on, and now, at 21, she’s ready to take big steps in the music world. One of those big steps is the release of her new single “No Room for Bitchin’” (Slammin’ Media, distributed worldwide by Believe). A line dance choreographed to the new song is trending across TikTok and Instagram, giving fans a fun way to express its message. Hayden recently played a sold-out show with her band at The Painted Lady in Toronto. Her debut album will drop early in 2026. With a deep love for songwriting and a desire to play bigger stages while connecting with her audience, there is no stopping Hayden from seeing her music dreams come true.

Congratulations on your latest single, “No Room For Bitchin’”. Please share the inspiration behind the song with us.
It all started when I was sitting in my basement studio, reflecting on friendships and relationships from the past few years. I realized that, at times, I’d been a people pleaser — allowing myself to put up with things I didn’t deserve. At that moment, I felt inspired to write a song that was empowering for me, something that made me feel strong and confident in who I am and how much I’ve grown.

The title “No Room for Bitchin’” felt sassy, fun, and catchy. The song naturally evolved into an anthem about empowerment — being yourself, standing tall, and not caring what anyone else thinks.

Who are a few of your influences and why have they inspired you?
I’ve been a massive Miley Cyrus fan my whole life. I think she’s such a strong woman in so many different ways. One thing that really stands out to me about her is how she’s explored so many different musical genres. She’s always been open and honest, sharing her life through her music, and that’s something I truly admire. She’s definitely been a huge source of inspiration for me.

Dolly Parton is another idol of mine. Her songwriting is incredible, and she’s always stayed true to who she is — from her roots in country music to her signature style and personality. Another major influence for me is Taylor Swift. I focus a lot on songwriting, and she constantly amazes me with her ability to tell stories through her lyrics and connect with so many people – it’s actually what first inspired me to start writing songs when I was younger.

Take us back to the moment when you decided you wanted to/had to pursue music.
I started writing music when I was around eight or nine years old. Growing up, music was always my way of communicating and expressing myself. I grew up singing, dancing, and acting—but songwriting became the one thing that truly felt like me. I remember having this little notebook that I carried everywhere. I’d fill it with poetry, random thoughts, and lyrics inspired by whatever I was feeling or experiencing at the time. Even back then, it was my form of therapy — my way of understanding the world and my emotions. As I got older, that passion just kept growing. Performing was always something I dreamed about. I would put on little shows for my family or sing along to my favourite artists, imagining what it would be like to be on stage in front of a crowd. Music became serious for me when I turned 20. Even though I had been doing it for years, that was the point where I decided to chase my dream and pursue it as a career full-time.

What is your favourite part about writing songs?
To me, songwriting is such a beautiful form of communication. It allows you to express yourself in the most honest and vulnerable way possible. My favourite part about writing songs is that feeling of release — that moment when you pour your emotions into words and melodies, and it all just clicks. There’s something so powerful about knowing that one day, someone might hear that song and see themselves in it. When you write a song, part of it is for you — it’s your story, your emotions, your healing. But another part of it is for everyone who listens and connects with it. That’s the magic of music: it brings people together through shared experiences and feelings, even if you’ve never met them.

What advice would you give to someone just starting to write songs?
My advice to anyone just starting to write songs would be: don’t be afraid to express yourself. Lean into vulnerability and honesty, even when it feels uncomfortable. The more real you are, the more authentic your music will be — and people can always feel that truth. Songwriting isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being genuine. So trust your emotions, write from the heart, and let your music reflect who you truly are.

If you could record a duet with any artist in the world, who would you choose and why?
I would have to say Miley Cyrus. She’s been a massive idol of mine for as long as I can remember, and recording a duet with her would be a dream. I love her style, I love her music, and I truly admire her as a person. She’s bold, fearless, and unapologetically herself, which is so inspiring to me as an artist.

What’s really amazing about Miley is how versatile she is — she’s explored so many genres, and every time she releases something new, it feels fresh and exciting. I feel like collaborating with her would be such an incredible learning experience, and I know it would push me creatively. Beyond that, I think it would be a lot of fun — sharing that energy, passion, and creativity with someone I’ve looked up to for years would be unforgettable.

You had a sold our show recently at The Painted Lady in Toronto. I was there and it was great! How do you feel about how the night went?
The night went beyond anything I could have imagined. I couldn’t be more grateful and happy with how the show turned out. Seeing so many friends, family, and supporters come out truly meant the world to me. Watching everyone dancing, singing, and just being fully present in the moment together made me wish I could do this every single night. There’s something so special about sharing that experience with people who connect with your music, and that night will definitely be one I’ll never forget.

What is one goal you’d like to achieve in your music career over the next year?
One goal I’d really like to achieve over the next year is to keep connecting with people through my music and continue sharing it with a wider audience. Along with that, I’d love to play more shows and festivals — there’s nothing like the energy of performing live and seeing people connect with your songs in real time. Experiencing that connection on stage is what drives me, and I hope to have even more opportunities to share my music with new audiences in the coming year.