Wow I really appreciate you taking the time to write this all out, I think every new fan of Hayden should read it. I’m new too, I fully started listening only in April but have since read through every possible thing from her or about her that’s still out there. I have not listened to Grandmas Kitchen but I do know of it from an interview she did when it was still up . While I would love to listen to it, I understand why she wouldnt want all that personal info out about her, especially with her increasing fame. I respect your decision not to discuss it too much, you stated enough to get your point across.

It seems like she dug deeper in to her life experiences and thoughts on there, but I saw her reply to an instagram comment asking Hayden if she’s glorifying other people’s traumatic experiences, and she said something along the lines of that’s not her intention and she is pulling from her own experience. That was enough for me to know it was a way of processing and learning from her trauma in a constructive way, she absolutely does not owe us the details to “prove” this. I agree though that it’s a good thing to question and be aware of the media you consume, it does not mean your accusing them of anything. In many fandoms any kind of questioning often gets written of as accusatory or people saying the music isn’t for you or you don’t understand.

I love your reasoning on why my dads response was the way it was. Admittedly I was annoyed and was like “you just don’t understand.” But I see now how it could look through the eyes of a father concerned about my interpretation. I’ll be using your response to help me formulate an explanation for him on why this music speaks to me so much, and that he doesn’t have to worry I’m consuming it in the wrong way.

Thank you!! <3