Interview: Harley J
Harley J Explores The Feelings of Vulnerability and Anxiety in ‘All These Hours’
Harley J is an Alternative / Indie-Pop Artist from a small pocket of Adelaide, South Australia. From the age of 5 Harley has been playing drums and in his teenage years spent a lot of time listening to punk-rock and punk-pop music. Harley picked up a guitar and began teaching himself. Harley fell in love with the art of crafting songs. Harley J’s writing is inspired by the likes of Coldplay, Paramore, Fall Out Boy and more recently The Band CAMINO. As a human Harley J has a mass of stories to tell from his life, which he now expresses sonically through his music and art.
Harley J’s latest single ‘All These Hours’ tells a story of two young people trying to figure out how they feel about each other alongside the struggles and anxieties of telling someone how you feel about them. Sometimes it can be quite difficult to be vulnerable with someone you care about, especially when the future after opening up is unknown. Once you open up, no matter what the outcome, It's better off for you because you were honest with yourself and the other person. All These Hours crosses the line between platonic and romantic with Harley's best friend at the time who now happens to be his wife. A true representation of ‘if you never shoot you’ll never know’
We recently had the pleasure of checking in with Harley J and he was kind enough to respond to a few interview questions:
Congrats on your new release ‘All These Hours’ tell us about the origin and evolution of ‘All These Hours’
Well it started with a simple idea of wanting to write about being honest and vulnerable with someone. That's how the hook "I've been waiting All These Hours, To tell you how I feel" came from. I wanted to write a simple arrangement and something people could relate to easily and not over think it. I had the demo and everything written and arranged in about an hour and a half (Which never happens for me). I then had a few very close friends that I had listened to and gave some much appreciated feedback!
How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
I would describe it as Dreamy and Atmospheric with a touch of lively Pop. I think what I'm finding is people connecting with me writing from very personal experiences and being honest and vulnerable about my feelings.
Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today?
Oh, for sure Paramore's The Final Riot Live performance. It's incredibly nostalgic to me and kind of where my dream of writing and playing music began.
What has been your most memorable performance to date and what is your favourite thing about performing?
My most memorable performance would have to be playing at The Thebarton Theatre in Adelaide with Isaac Humphries! Hard to have a favorite thing about performing but definitely being able to be myself through music and not having to feel like I have to hide behind anything, being real, and being raw.
If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Quite honestly that would have to be Coldplay! I love their songwriting and the way they perform is such an inspiration! I think they always leave a sense of amazement in everything they do!
Last but not least: FAVOURITE:
Album – Hard to pick just one but I find myself, at the moment at least, coming back to 'Lost In The Separation' from Underoath. A little heavier to things I would normally go for but something rather nostalgic for me!
Artist – Again, Hard to pick one but probably would have to say Paramore. Very easy for me to come back to them and relive my teenage punk rock years!
Movie – Inception
Place to visit – Somewhere I have been, Tasmania Australia! I love the cold and it's one of the most beautiful places in Australia! Somewhere I would love to visit would have to be Sweden or Germany!
Food – Oreos! (That counts right?)
Drink – other than a great Coffee! My friends would know I'm a sucker for Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whisky
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) Oh, I don't have one and after many, many years of trying to figure out what I would get, I STILL have no idea!
Have a listen and connect with Harley J:
