Finding Comfort and Healing with Los Angeles Singer HARLOE
Interview by Emily Richardson
Graphic by Emily Lantzy
Singer/songwriter HARLOE began her rise to fame by writing songs for artists such as Britney Spears, Charli XCX, Celine Dion, and Kelly Clarkson. Before switching to the stage name HARLOE in 2016, she released Prelude as Jessica Ashley in 2012, which featured the single “Neverland.” Rivers Run Dry, her first EP under the name HARLOE, was released via Roc Nation in March of 2020. With everything from pain to healing, Rivers Run Dry is an extremely passionate album that singer HARLOE wants listeners to find comfort and healing within. I had the pleasure of asking her a few questions about this album as well as her musical career in general!
You started out writing songs for artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Charli XCX, and Britney Spears. What pushed you to step out into the world as a singer and begin singing the songs that you wrote?
I think I just felt a pull that I had something to say, and with Rivers Run Dry, I felt like I was really ready to make that transition.
What is your songwriting process? Do you come up with melodies first, lyrics first, or what is your personal creative process?
For me, I usually come up with the melodies first, and then sometimes I’ll add in some vowels and words that kinda make sense and then I build from there. That’s really my creative process! I draw inspiration from a bunch of different things - watching movies, Instagram, Pinterest, talking to a friend, or talking to a family member.
Do you have a different songwriting process when you are writing for other artists rather than yourself?
I really do. For myself, I’m more introspective, and for other artists, I really try to figure out how they're feeling and then I piece that into my own life and try to relate to it through the music.
What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from working with bigger artists?
I’ve taken so many different lessons. One is that our humanity comes out so much in our music. I can get starstruck, and then I can want to do my best, but once I sit down with that artist and talk with them, it feels like I’ve known them my whole life. I learned to be authentic and bring that to the session.
You recently released your EP Rivers Run Dry. What do you want people to take away from this album, and your music in general? What is the overall message that you want to send?
I think it’s that I want people to find more about themselves and find comfort and healing in that. That’s what the album was for me, I would love to have others feel the same.
Rivers Run Dry seems to represent your path and transformation following a breakup. What advice would you give to readers and fans who are struggling with a breakup?
THAT IT WILL BE OKAY! It’s an always evolving process; I’m still going through it, but it makes me more human, and I’m so thankful for that because I learned more about myself.
Can you tell me a little about your process behind creating this album? What was the hardest part about creating it?
Narrowing in and choosing the direction of the sound. I love so many different sounds, so it really was a challenge at first, but after Rivers Run Dry, it all kind of came together from there.
Your video for “We’re All Gonna Lose” opens by proposing the question “What is something that can’t be taken away from you?” It then proceeds with what seems to be a story of you having it all, and then losing it all. Could you tell readers more about the meaning behind this video? What do you want people to take away from it?
That is exactly right. It's about having everything and then losing everything, but healing from it and coming into a new space that is almost heavenly, airy, light, and easy. Once you’re who you really are, you can enter into that, and that’s what I wanted people to take away from it. It's kind of a fantastical approach to a more simple message.
Your songwriting is very honest and vulnerable. When writing music, how do you determine the line between too vulnerable and not vulnerable enough?
That’s a good question. It depends on what the song is going to feel like, but I also think you can never be too vulnerable in a song, because honesty is special and it makes the music special.
This is the first EP that you fully wrote, sang, and produced. How was this process different, and what did you learn from the experience or take away from it?
I didn’t produce the whole EP myself. I produced it with Fred Ball, and the hardest song to write was “Cut Me Loose” because it took me a little bit to figure out what the song was going to say. Since I do melodies first, I usually judge the lyric based on the melody.
What is your favorite lyric that you have ever written?
Right now it's in “Crush On You” when I say “Love is never done.” I think it’s so simple, yet so powerful.
What would you change about the current music industry if you had the chance?
I would change a lot. The first thing would be the concept that having two females in a room means that the two of them have to compete for the number one spot. You see it all the time, like when an A&R request sheet says “looking for a female top liner” it makes no sense to me, because two females can both have success.
Your video for “One More Chance” is filled with thought and emotion. Could you elaborate on your thought process behind the creation of the video? What did you want people to take away from this?
I wanted it to feel like an interpretative dance that grows with the song. It gets bigger and bigger until it’s fully filled with emotion.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before? What would you want them to listen to first?
“Crush On You” first for sure. I would describe it as nostalgic 2020 with elements of the past.
What is your favorite memory so far from being a musician?
Performing at my EP release party. It was so exciting and just the best!
Any final words for the readers/fans?
Just thank you for asking these questions and getting to know me more!
Be sure to check out HARLOE’s recent EP Rivers Run Dry on Apple Music, Spotify, and other streaming services! Keep up with HARLOE on social media: @harloemusic on Instagram and Twitter!