Harina: Process and Progress

The great thing about pop music is that it’s always pushing forward. Pop music in 2020 doesn’t sound the same as it did in 1990 for obvious reasons, but it doesn’t sound like 2010 either even if we don’t know why. It’s a constantly evolving thing, and all the micro-differences are impossible to track as it’s happening. Here I’ll write about an artist whose releases in 2020 are thoroughly modern pop music. Let me introduce you to Harina.

Image Credit: Varna Squad

Though Harina’s career is in its early stages, she has already collaborated with London based producer Ninski on two songs entitled ‘Hard Worker’ (also featuring Jay Are) and ‘my boo’, amassing more than a million streams each on Spotify. Her YouTube channel includes a myriad of performance based covers by wide-ranging artists such as Khalid, Anita Baker and Nancy Sinatra. As we approach the festive period, it’s important to mention that last Christmas, Harina also released a cover of…Last Christmas. But it was early in 2020 where her career took flight with the release of her single ‘Nothing’.

The opening synth line is almost anthemic. The sample included early on in Nothing is oddly prophetic of The Craziest Year On Record; ‘Makes you wonder, makes you wonder what the world’s coming to…’ Harina’s voice is perfect for pop music, with great production dabbling in harmonies and vocal doubles whilst maintaining a strong lead down the middle. Nothing is no weak, simpering lyric, as the music cuts out and Harina proclaims: ‘You give me shit that don’t mean nothing.’ Interestingly, the sound on this track could cut heavier, but the route the production team has taken opens it up to a broader audience without straying too far into bubble-gum pop.

In contrast to Nothing, ‘Liar’, released in May has a harder edge. Beginning with a tight whistle, this one contains elements of guitar, handclaps and bass-drops are well mixed in for the verses - the whistling heard in the introduction is part of the hook. As with the example set in Nothing, Liar also shows strength lyrically, ‘You say I won't make it, got no potential, should know I don't fake shit, I'll show you the door.’ The beat is bouncy and infectious and is overall a better release than Nothing with Harina’s career being on an upward trajectory.

Harina’s latest single ‘Around U’ is her first with a music video. Featuring a male co-star, the video shows the pair in various locations while Harina performs the song to camera with a healthy helping of match-shots and special effects. Around U isn’t as hard-hitting as Liar and is a smoother production, with synth bass bouncing around the stereo field and more focus on Harina as a lead vocalist.

Thematically Harina’s approach is softer, showing more positivity to love in general. One of the verses remind me of Deniece Williams’ ‘Let’s Hear It For The Boy’ – ‘A big city boy with nothing but dreams, ain’t got a house in the right kinda street. You got empty pockets, no job at the office…’ But this verse is just a small part of the bigger picture, better represented by; ‘Baby I’ve seen your eyes when you look at me, I knew that we’ll never be history. Baby I love you. Have you seen the way that I look at you, nothing that can push me away from you. Baby I love you.’ Will this be a story with a happy ending? Only time will tell in Harina’s future releases… For now though, Harina provides more insight to her singles below, as well as working with Ninski and being on set for the Around U video.

Image Credit: Varna Squad

1. Your new single 'Around U' was co-written with Valentin Glage and Vincent Stefansson. What was it like to work with them as writers and producers?

It was amazing! They are super super talented and we are all very picky yet I was always confident the result was going to be great! They have been a part of most of my songs so far and I am really glad I have the chance to work with them again.

2. How did 'Around U' begin as a piece? Did you begin the writing process alone, or was it more of a collaborative effort from the very start?

It was a collaborative process - It took quite a long time actually because I wanted to get it just right. It’s a very personal song - So I came into the session and explained how I felt and then we started putting it together.

3. The music video for 'Around U' is your first! What was it like to film that, especially having a co-star?

If I am honest I was very afraid of shooting my first music video as I thought I was gonna look awkward and wouldn’t know what to do but, after getting there on the day, it felt absolutely amazing! It was such an important experience and it made me grow so much. The whole planning process, thinking about locations, styling and moods was so inspiring and fun - I would love to shoot many more videos in the future and get better every time!

4. You released your single 'Liar' back in May, what inspired the lyric on this?

Liar is a very special one to me as it is so empowering and bad ass. The lyrics were inspired by people that are trying to drag you down instead of lifting you up. By people who are not trusting your process and progress but only see success and are only there when the success is there.

5. You've worked with producer Ninski on singles 'my boo' and 'Hard Worker', what was your experience like to work with him?

He is a great producer and writing 'Hard Worker' was definitely one of the coolest experiences. It was so so much fun. I would love to write and release many more great songs with him.

6. Growing up, what were the influences that inspired you to forge a career in music?

I studied classical singing from a young age, but pop was always my favourite music to sing. I also smoked as a teenager and that really didn’t help with classical singing. Pop, on the other hand, it kinda added to the tone haha

7. Prior to the beginning of the pandemic, were you able to play any shows? If so, what were those performances like?

Yes I was able to play shows last year - I really miss playing live - even though I get nervous it’s just so rewarding when you can sing to real people. It’s a whole different experience. I hope to be able to gig again soon.

8. With Christmas coming up, would you be open to releasing another Christmas song like last year's 'Last Christmas'?

I mean I did think about it and one day I’d love to make a Christmas album, but for this year I am going to pass on making another Christmas tune. I am still waiting for 'Last Christmas' to kick off hehe

9. Having worked with a number of producers, is there a producer out there who you'd really love to work with that you haven't yet?

Max Martin hehe - I guess anyone would wanna work with him eventually. But there is also the London producer Grades and many others that I’d love to do a session with.

10. With the singles you've released over the course of 2020, is this leading up to a more unified release, like an album? Are there more singles to come?

There is lots to come next year but I can’t say how exactly yet :) it’s a work in progress.

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Follow Harina on twitter and instagram @harinamusic and facebook @xoitsharina.