By: Karen Steinberg
Q) How did your time in South Africa influence change your approach to the new music you’ve begun to make?
A) It really changed everything! I went there to take a break from music and ended up writing my whole debut album Raised Up. After being there for about four to five months really just finding things that made me feel a deep sense of joy: drinking from fresh waterfalls, local fresh organic food, travel, being in Nature with animals – I had a sort of awakening, which was to truly change the direction of my music.
I returned with the realization that I should make it my mission to spread joy and delight through music. To share light and bring people together.
Q) With that in mind, where did the idea for the song “I Like Life” come from?
A) This song came about four years ago when I turned up to a writing session in Amsterdam. I didn’t wanna go that day because I felt kinda unmotivated. Ironically, the song that appeared was the most uptempo thing I’d ever created.
We had a couple of coffees – Jara [de Werd], Ramon [de Wilde] and I having just met – and talked about life, about the books that inspired us, about changing tastes, early bedtimes, philosophy and the power of now.
As we talked I wrote on a paper plate Jara had in his studio:
BOOK ABOUT TRUTH
I LIKE LIFE
HONESTY
FOCUS
I started to play my guitar and said to Ramon that we need bass. He picked it up and we created a bass groove together. Jara rushed to his laptop to write a beat and “I Like Life” was born!
It took me four years to release it because I needed that time to catch up with the song and to truly celebrate life every day.
Now, I love life!! I love to hear that this song is helping people to feel more positive and that things are more possible!
Q) You’ve said that you are working to make music to help promote a more “happier state of existence.” What made this become a mission for you?
A) It started when I broke my back nine to ten years ago and flatlined for five minutes. Then, my journey in South Africa, healing my mental health, healing my relationships, the love in my family and with my friends.
When I truly removed a lot of the things within myself that made me depressed and kept me stuck in old patterns – I wanted others to experience the same, to feel good being themselves.
Q) I like the idea of “Love Town.” Is there somewhere in your life or in your mind that is a “Love Town” for you?
A) Yep. I think the point in Meditation is when you experience yourself fully, but you simultaneously evaporate. I believe that to be the source of all creation – you could call it consciousness. We can all tap into it, as it’s kind of our true nature. That space has no judgment and is the “Love Town.”
I feel the more time we spend there and doing things that put us there the more enriching life becomes.
Q) What kind of fan response have you been receiving to the track?
A) So many beautiful messages! People really resonate with this one.
Q) With “I Like Life” out now and more uplifting music to come, is this a prelude to a full album or EP?
A) Yep. An EP called I Like Life – next single dropped June 6th followed by another EP, an album and so much new music! I’m releasing around thirty-two tracks this year! Gotta get that message of joy out there. [laughs]
Q) Who are some artists that you would love to collaborate with on music in the future?
A) So many! I’m dreaming of an album full of collaborations with the mission to spread a positive message. [smiles]
Nick Mulvey, Post Malone, Lost Frequencies, Yungblud, Milky Chance, Shaboozey, Able Heart, Declan J Donovan, Gizmo Varillias, Sam Garrett, Felipe Baldomir, Sean Koch, Blanco White, Danit, Mon Rovia, Caamp, Hollow Coves, Verocoya, Jeremy Loops, Erica Manzoli, Xavier Rudd, Josiah and The Bonnevilles, Justin Beiber, Noah Kahan, Claire Brooks and Vance Joy.
…and many more!
Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of the music that you make?
A) “Do what you love, live close to the ground.
Don’t let nobody try to bring you down.
In family life be present and calm.
Surround yourself with the people that you love. Have friends that are only gonna lift you up. Make your life a moving prayer of compassion and trust”
SOME WORDS.
Appreciate you!
See you at a show soon,
Harry 🙏🌞✨