Lonely Artist Club had the pleasure of sitting down with musician River Harmony to discuss her music and learn more about her creative process.
Thanks for meeting with us River. First and foremost, we want to talk about your art. What medium do you work with and how did you come to find it?
Music is my medium. I started with guitar. I've used music as an outlet for my emotions, but over the years it's been one of the more important things in life. I just felt like I should allow myself to be happy all the time, and music is a part of that.
"I should allow myself to be happy all the time, and music is a part of that."
We want to hear more about your art, but first can you tell us a bit about who you are outside of your creative work?
It's hard to truly feel individuality when impostor syndrome exists, but I do believe I got somewhat of a unique experience in life. I had a lot of older peers around me with some great taste in music and in a variety of genres - that was a huge blessing. It allowed me to enjoy forcing myself out of my comfort zone when it came to sounds and exploring what I can do vocally. When I'm not working on music I like to spend my time exploring new hobbies that can be given. For example, I love baking bread. I can only make one type of bread but you bet your ass I'm gonna make you an amazing loaf of bread. Working with my hands, music included, really allows me to keep my sanity.
"Music... really allows me to keep my sanity."
Almost every artist, at one point or another, experiences a creative block, right? Would you mind sharing your personal experience with managing and overcoming creative blocks or ruts?
I try not to get stuck in a rut. I've learned that I like to bounce around more than one project at once. This gives me time to give my ears a break from a song or songs; so it's fresh when I come back. If I feel incredibly bored of a project, it means it's not meant to be, or it's finished and I just need to be done with it.
"I've learned that I like to bounce around more than one project at once. This gives me time to give my ears a break from a song or songs; so it's fresh when I come back."
Creative blocks are a challenge in and of themselves, but with that being said, is there another aspect of your work as a musician that is equally, if not more, difficult to manage?
The music market and industry is just completely oversaturated. You have to fight for plays, and recognition; it's exhausting. I think the hardest part is just convincing yourself you are worthy, everyday, even when it feels impossible. Oh, and funding.
"The hardest part is just convincing yourself you are worthy, everyday, even when it feels impossible."
This next question is a bit more candid, but we gotta ask! Do you have any fears surrounding your art?
If you're not afraid, what's the point? I'm afraid everyday, I'm scared if anyone will like what I do, sing, make, whatever, but it would make life so boring if it was easy. I don't know where the fears come from, trauma maybe?
"If you're not afraid, what's the point?"
Speaking of people 'liking' your work... what are your thoughts on social media and the effect it has on artists?
Some people love it, and are amazing at it; it definitely doesn't justify how good of musician or artist you are if you have a kick ass social media. Personally, I love making visuals, but the algorithm constantly bites me in the ass. It's difficult to get Reach on my posts. But I have people from other countries listening to my music, and I couldn't have done that without a social media presence. If I could have anything? Change anything? I don't know, maybe 100,000 followers that aren’t bots? That would be sick.
"It definitely doesn't justify how good of musician or artist you are if you have a kick ass social media."
Social Media is such a complex beast nowadays. We're happy to hear that it is working for you instead of against you. Now, if people were interested in your artistic medium whose work would you recommend they listen to?
My newest project coming out April 6th, 2023 is what I recommend you listen to. I have two new songs on that EP that hint to the new sounds I will be making in the future.
Have you ever created something by accident that you ended up loving? (Check out audio link HERE)
I started sampling my voice more often because there were tones and textures I couldn't find in the sounds created when making instrumentals. It's been more rewarding, and I've had so many happy accidents in making the best beats! On my song "Empaths & Apples”, a majority of the instrumentals or "synths" is really just my voice sampled throughout the entire song.
We, unfortunately, just have one last question for you... What advice would you give to other musicians out there?
For musicians, singers, whatever. If that's what you wanna do, make something. Even if you don't have the right partner, or recording studio, just make it. Even if you hate the first thing you make, it doesn't matter. You have to understand your process of how you make a song, start to finish. Understand what you don't and do like. Understand what kind of mix you want. How you want yourself to sound on each word. Every detail. Really know yourself.
"Make something. Even if you don't have the right partner, or recording studio, just make it. Even if you hate the first thing you make, it doesn't matter."
Thanks again River for sharing your music and creative process. It was truly a pleasure chatting with you and we wish you all the best in your upcoming endeavors.
If you want to learn more about River and listen to her music, check out her socials:
Spotify: River's Profile
Instagram:@riverharmony
TikTok: @riverharmony
Upcoming projects: Newest EP released on April 6th, 2023.
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