Another new single in the bag and a vastly evolving presence as one of music’s most creatively unpredictable artists – Davey Harris kindly took part in an interview, to coincide with the release of PNGN DNCE.
We talk songwriting, background, production, live shows, and the state of the world. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hi Davey – thanks for your time, it’s great to chat with you after an impressive few singles. Just to introduce things, where are you based, and what have you been working on this past week?
Based in Buffalo NY but it’s a fun game to try to figure out where I am at any given moment.
I’ve been working on a song about honey bees.
PNGN DNCE is the new song – appealing for that anthemic electronic-rock presence but also conceptually powerful. Which aspect came first for this, and what prompted you to start writing these lyrics and crafting this melody and performance?
The lyrics were inspired by a friend’s journey to Antarctica. The song is about Earth’s air conditioning aka the South Pole. If we don’t protect the waters of Antarctica and the southern oceans, we are Fucked with a capital F. The song is about cute penguins, funny little krill, and our impending doom as a human species.
The melody and production—I wanted to blend a bunch of styles, as usual. From industrial rock to anthemic ballads, to techno pop. The song kinda sounds like mission impossible meets penguins.
I got support from Saxy Steve Davit of Marian Hill who played sax on the track.
Creativity is an absolute strength of yours, and unites with professionalism and skill to impressive results. Do you consciously seek out originality, do you worry about emulating other artists, or do you just roll with the punches and see what comes out?
I roll with the punches and then I punch back.
How does the process of creating as a solo artist compare to creating within the dynamic of The Tins – is there more freedom when writing alone?
Yes, there is 1000% more freedom when writing alone. Turns out, I’m a loner.
What’s your go-to plugin or tool when producing a new track?
I almost always start with the acoustic guitar—this one included. That tends to be the glue that I like to plug in for everyone song.
Who do you listen to when you’re looking to drown out the weight of the world?
My own songs that I’ve written—both in process and finished.
Is live performance on the cards this year?
Yes. 7 live shows down and more where that came from
What’s something about you that would surprise your listeners?
Gift giving is my love language and I love buying little gifts for all my friends and family
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Go to www.DaveyHarris.com and sign up for our secret communiques…more fun ways to participate in what I’m up to are coming soon.
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Listen to PNGN DNCE from June 16th. Check out Davey Harris on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Apple & TikTok.
