Daniel Hayes, the acclaimed Denver-based poet, author, musician, and spoken word artist, is set to release his highly anticipated new album, Butterfly with Bazookas, on all digital and streaming platforms on September 20th. This eleven-track collection showcases Hayes’ unique ability to fuse compelling storytelling with passionate musical arrangements, offering listeners an intricate journey through deep introspection and explosive energy.
Butterfly with Bazookas marks Hayes’ return to music after a nearly two-decade hiatus, embodying his evolution as both an artist and a person. The album is an exploration of life’s dualities—gentle yet ferocious, reflective yet unfiltered. Hayes’ ability to blend spoken word with emotive soundscapes creates a work that is both visceral and poetic.
“I chose that name for the album because I'm like a butterfly with bazookas,” explains Hayes. “I’m soft-spoken, polite, even delicate at times. But once I've made up my mind about something, I have no problem telling it like it is. The title also reflects how some tracks are quiet and gentle, like ‘Ecstasy’ and ‘Redemption,’ while others, like ‘The Witch’ and ‘Bullet Train,’ are explosive and raw.”
Produced in collaboration with BAO, the album features a dynamic range of tracks that pull from Hayes' life experiences, including personal loss, transformation, and self-discovery. Tracks such as “Wake Up” and “Cold Paradise” delve into themes of grief and empowerment, while others, like “Eat Fast” and “Redemption,” offer moments of bold, uncensored expression. Each track stands as a testament to Hayes’ growth as an artist, blending elements of spoken word, poetry, and music into one powerful album.
Hayes reflects, “The big surprise about this album was how some tracks made me feel. When I listened to ‘Wake Up’ with fresh ears, I found myself tearing up. I never thought I'd be able to create something that moved me that much.”
The release of Butterfly with Bazookas follows Hayes’ literary endeavors, including his recently published book Cairns, which explores personal transformation. The album, in many ways, serves as a complement to his written work, expanding on the themes of self-discovery and vulnerability found in Cairns.
With the release of Butterfly with Bazookas, Hayes hopes to connect with others who may be navigating similar struggles. “If my words or music can help just one person process grief or leave a toxic relationship, I’ll feel like I’ve succeeded,” he shares.
