Exclusive Interview: Davey Harris Discusses His New Single “Self-Saboteur”

Davey Harris is a renowned multi-instrumentalist, storyteller, and musician. He rose to notoriety as a member of The Tins, whose hit single “The Green Room” put the band on the map. Now, the gifted artist is embarking on the next chapter in his career as a solo artist. His new release, “Self-Saboteur” finds Davey at war with himself. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Davey about his career, “Self-Saboteur”, and more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Davey: I have been a music nerd since I was a kid. I used to write elevator music on my piano that I thought was cool…turns out I was wrong. Then, I discovered the drums and fell in love with rock music.

My deepest musical passion comes when I have a desire for escapism—like when your day is lame, and you are looking for something more exciting. Nothing is quite as satisfying as creating an alternate song reality to jump into.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Davey: The Beatles. God. My piano teacher. Led Zeppelin.

PC: You’re a member of The Tins. What have you learned from that experience that you’ve been able to apply to your solo project?
Davey: That there is an importance to every instrument and every band member. Like, the bass can be its own universe. The synth and light textures make all the difference in a mix. The vocalist needs to own the performance. The guitar has a life of its own. It’s critical to play different roles and personalities as I play each instrument.

PC: Tell us about your new single “Self-Saboteur” and the inspiration behind the song.
Davey: I wrote it as a way in and out of my neurosis. We all have self-saboteurs holding us back, and I wanted to draw attention to this. There is a benefit to identifying your own self-saboteur and taking care of him/her/them.

PC: You have always been so thoughtful and open in your craft. Has it always been easy for you to tap into that vulnerability?
Davey: Nope, it hasn’t been easy. It’s wild at first to sing about your deepest, darkest secrets, but then you realize that any other song/art/expression is pretty boring.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2022, what can fans expect from you?
Davey: I am on the road to releasing quite a bit of music. I’ve been building a private catalog over the past two years that is finally ready to be shared. I’m stoked.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: First album you bought?
Davey: Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head.

PC: First concert you attended?
Davey: O.A.R.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Davey: Anything by the Beatles. One listen and the music sticks.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Davey: House of Blues.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Davey: A friend.

To keep up with Davey, follow him on Instagram and Spotify.