Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Harry Strange

Harry Strange has caught the attention of music fans around the world with his unique approach to pop music. The London-based artist is combining emotionally poignant lyricism with dynamic production, garnering praise from Atwood Magazine, Earmilk, Euphoria, and the BBC. This July, he released his most personal EP to date, Something, Hold On, which finds Harry overcoming anxiety and embracing the unknown. We caught up with Harry to learn more about him and Something, Hold On.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Harry: I was lucky enough to grow up in a musical family where my brothers were also really into music. I often stole my brothers’ CDs or iPod. That grew into wanting to play music myself.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Harry: Being at university the past few years has really impacted not only my music but also me as a person. That impacts the music. I feel way more comfortable in myself, which allows me to be more open with my writing. And, of course, three years of a student life gives you amazing things to write about!

PC: You’re a songwriter who has always been incredibly vulnerable in your craft. Has that ever been a scary prospect? If so, how did you get over that hurdle?
Harry: Ah, thank you! I really appreciate that. I’m very lucky to work with people who I trust and am great friends with. My best mate, Duncan, is a very frequent collaborator of mine and someone I’ve written the majority of my songs with. He probably knows more about me than I do. So when it comes to sitting down and being incredibly honest and open, it feels very natural.

PC: Tell us about your new EP, Something, Hold On. What inspired the collection?
Harry: This EP was almost an accumulation of my final year at university, where I believe I really just found my feet. I felt pretty content with everything happening in my life. I’m the worst at getting extremely worked up and anxious about things that I can’t control. This EP is an attempt to embody this idea of being comfortable with the unknown.

PC: You wrote the collection during your transition into adulthood. When you look back at that journey, what did you learn about yourself during that time?
Harry: Almost as a product of that newfound comfort, I found that during the writing of this EP, I became much less focused on how the music I was making would be perceived. Instead, I found myself creating music that I loved. This unlocked this whole new area of music that I had never even thought about.

PC: How does Something, Hold On differentiate itself from your 2019 release Crying at the Party?
Harry: I feel that this EP has more differentiation. No two tracks are alike. I love the EP all the more for it.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Harry: I love the Hercules soundtrack—anything old-school Disney. I have had many, many drunk nights screaming Disney songs with my housemates.

PC: First album you bought?
Harry: Bastille’s Bad Blood

PC: First concert you attended?
Harry: Jamie Cullum. He was incredible.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Harry: Lorde’s Melodrama. I think that album showed me just how powerful production could be.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Harry: Omeara. It’s just one of those venues that I’ve always stepped into and been like, “Damn, this is a special one.”

PC: A must-have on the road?
Harry: Right, I’m going to cheat a bit. Firstly, my pillow. I love my pillow. I’ve got this massive pillow, which is just, wow. As you can tell, I enjoy my sleep. Secondly, headphones. I cannot go anywhere without them.

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