HALESTORM LZZY HALE on Why They Won’t Use Backing Tracks

WHAT THEY SAID

“I feel like I’d be a terrible lip syncer,” Lzzy Hale told the Mark And Me podcast when asked about backing tracks.^* Halestorm performs completely raw — no click tracks, no playback, just four musicians making noise.

THE DETAILS

• Guitarist Joe Hottinger says a live show should be an interpretation of the record, not a replica, and that rock and roll needs to be dangerous with the possibility of mistakes.^*

• Drummer Arejay Hale confirmed performing without technological aids requires more training and focus, though he uses playback in his other project Kemikalfire.^*

• The band describes themselves as technologically illiterate and believes playing without tracks makes them better musicians — Hale noted bands whose computers crash sometimes can’t even play anymore.^*

• Halestorm released their sixth album *Everest* in August 2025 via Atlantic, their first with producer Dave Cobb after three records with Nick Raskulinecz.^*

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Halestorm will keep doing it the hard way while other bands lean on technology.