Vents MagaZine Music and Entertainment Magazine
Related Articles
We’re very excited to be speaking today with acclaimed musical artist Harriet; greetings and salutations, Harriet! Before we meander down the proverbial Q&A pathway, how goes your 2023 thus far? Thanks so much for having me! So far 2023 has been a bit of a rollercoaster. I’m so thrilled to finally be releasing new music and I’ve learnt so much about the process and myself over the past few months. It’s been quite the journey, and it’s only the beginning!
Major plaudits and kudos on your upcoming album The Outcome which is set to premiere on May 12! How did this remarkable new album come about, what was the genesis of it? Well, thank you! I wanted to make an honest record. Something full of both uplifting and reflective moments that really mean something to me. I made the album in Stockholm, Sweden and during the first sessions I had when we wrote the title track, I felt an instant connection with the people there, the city and its musical history. The Outcome (song) made me think a lot about how we use so much energy over-thinking about what the consequences might be of our life choices that we often forget to just ‘live’ and make the most of it. I’m a big fan of ABBA and their comeback album, Voyage really shook something out of me that was holding the album back. I’d written a few songs that I had declared as “not Harriet songs”. This was despite people around me loving them! I then watched ABBA return with music that was so authentic to them it all fell into place. I recalled those previously shelved songs immediately. They are part of me! So, with this album I set myself a number of challenges; to be really free creatively and also to try new ideas and sounds. And to take those risks that feel absolutely right for me. I’m so proud of how it all turned out.
In your humble opinion, what differentiates The Outcome from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music scene? In your humble opinion, what differentiates The Outcome from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music scene? For sure, it can be challenging to stand out as there is so much great music being released every day. All the music I love is timeless, so I hope I’ve been able to achieve this with my own songs, whilst still keeping it fresh! I’m deeply inspired by artists from the 1970s and am not afraid to reference this era with my music. It was a slower, warmer time… the way we consume music now is so intense, with us wanting so much, so quickly and it’s easy to miss the message or feeling of a song as life poses many distractions. I think there is a craving for music that really connects and makes us feel something. I hope The Outcome does this for people.
Who was your producer on The Outcome and what did the collaboration between artist and producer look like in the studio? I had the privilege of working with several producers and songwriters on the album. I worked with Anders Hansson (Agnes, Lena Philipsson) and Sharon Vaughn (Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson) on several tracks including Drop In The Ocean and I Think Of You. It was refreshing to write with Sharon on this album as I haven’t had many opportunities to work with female collaborators. Women are not celebrated enough in our industry! Anders is meticulous as a producer and is so good at finding the perfect little sounds to complement a song. It was a very collaborative process between the three of us. Johannes Willinder (TWICE, Girli) produced several songs on the record including my latest single, Story Of Your Life. I had quite strong ideas about how I wanted some songs to sound on the album and Johannes was brilliant to work with. We had some great days in the studio experimenting and trying new things. I recorded a cover of ABBA’s The Winner Takes It All with him and it required so much work on all the vocals. We recorded late into the night and it was one of my favourite recording sessions. Generally, I wanted to see what came out of these new collaborations organically, so I decided not to prepare too much material beforehand. I loved starting from scratch and letting all this new energy lead the way in terms of starting the songs.
How is The Outcome similar to some of your past music? How is it different? It’s similar in terms of the sonic influences from those retro musical eras I love, but different in terms of the overall production. Working with these producers who combined their contemporary pop sensibility with a Hammond organ and a 70s synth on this album for example was just the perfect fit for me. My first album was quite ballad-heavy and this new record has a lot more mid/uptempo moments. I suppose this is just a reflection of where I am in my life right now. Both albums came together in different ways; were made in different countries and were made at completely different times in my life. This album includes a duet with Nikhil D’Souza, which I can’t wait for people to hear as I’ve not recorded a duet before, but also because it ties into the general message of the album which is ultimately one of catharsis.
The gem of a tune Story Of Your Life was chosen as a single off of the upcoming The Outcome LP! What made Story Of Your Life the perfect choice to see life as a single? Tonally, is it representative of the new album? Yes I’d say it is. It’s both vulnerable and empowering, which is when I think we are our strongest and best as people and also describes the album as a whole. It’s taken me a while to learn that it’s ok not to feel good all the time and the ups and downs are what make us amazing. I wrote the song with Steve Anderson in London as a letter to my younger self. We have written many songs together but this is probably the most honest. I want people to feel encouraged when they hear it; to know that we are so much more capable than we feel sometimes. I love the emotional connection that’s made between me, my band and the audience when we perform it live. Something really special happens.
Word ‘round industry campfire has it that you’re all penciled in for a summer UK headline tour! What can you tell our ever-inquisitive readers about this very anticipated tour? Yes, in fact the pencil is now permanent marker! I’m going on tour in June with my live band and can’t wait! Songs don’t really breathe until they are performed live, so it’s going to be so special to share them with a live audience. I love discovering what people’s favourite songs are and often ones I wasn’t so confident about end up being key moments. My last tour was very shipped back with just my pianist, so I’m looking forward to going out with my full band. It’s going to be brilliant. We are returning to some venues we’ve played before, but will also be travelling to some new cities. Touring is also a great opportunity to meet the fans who have been supporting me. I love it!
We absolutely love the tune Some Die Young off of the upcoming The Outcome album! Is there a special story behind this mesmerizing and lovely track? Thank you. This is actually a cover; the original by Swedish artist, Laleh. She is a wonderful, celebrated songwriter, producer and performer who I discovered when I first travelled to Sweden to start work on my album. We originally recorded it as a little bonus track, but it ended up being so much more and my team and I really felt it deserved a place on the album itself. I love that despite the song having a sadness about it, it’s also very hopeful; like when the sun comes out after the rain. There’s something haunting about it, which I really felt when we recorded the vocals.
Who inspires you musically? I am a bit of an old soul. I love everything to do with the 1970s… the music (and the fashion)! Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, ABBA. I wish I’d been around at that time. I love hearing new artists channelling those soundscapes into contemporary music. Kacey Musgraves and Harry Styles do this so well, and I’ve just discovered Benny Sings, who is fantastic. I grew up listening to an eclectic mix of music. I wanted to be both Ella Fitzgerald and Britney Spears at the same time! I love discovering new artists that buck the trends, but have my favourite singers and songwriters who I always go back to. I am listening to a lot of Carole King at the moment, and Stephen Sanchez.
As an accomplished singer and songwriter, which comes first for you: The lyrics or the music? I record little melody ideas as voice memos constantly. These usually come to me whilst I’m out and about walking! Lyrics and song title ideas, I see everywhere. I can hear them in a story a friend has told me or spot them in the name of a bar! When actually getting down to the writing of a song, I prefer to work on the melody first and then write a ton of stuff down that I want to say. A producer and great friend taught me this method recently and it really works for me. If you have everything you want to say in front of you, it’s much easier to then put it to music.
You’re based out of the beautiful city of London, England. How do those roots inform you as a musician and as a person? When I first moved to London, I lived in the west end and it was probably the best three years of my life. I was skint as I spent all my money on rent. But I could walk into Soho and was always surrounded by interesting, creative people. I was inspired so much during this time and wrote so many songs about the experiences I had; most of which were about 5 minutes long. My editing is a bit better now, ha! We are very lucky in London to have such an abundant live music scene and to have so many opportunities here.
Any final thoughts which you might like to share with readers regarding the brand-new album The Outcome? I learnt a lot about myself during the making of this album. So I hope listeners are able to learn something about themselves too when they hear it. And remember: “To live is to die some, forget the outcome”.
