Harker – “Only ever had an interest in making art in some form. Motivation I think ties together a lot with mental state and the world around me.” – Interview

Harker spent some time answering our questions about themselves and their music. Let’s see what they have to say!

First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?

A surname that means ‘Deer Marshland’ in old English, weird folk pagan stuff. Fit the style of the band I though, weirdo outsider punk!

Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?

We formed in 2015, released a couple EPs, two full lengths and countless tours in UK, EU and even Japan. 

Originally I played acoustic guitar, accompanied by what you’d class as a backing band. This changed pretty much overnight when I got fed up of not being able to get loud enough. 

Matt (drummer) and Phoebe (bassist / vocals) joined just after this and now we have Louis (guitar) new to the band, who has reinvigorated us of some sort – we had a pretty tough time during COVID where everything went to stand still. Now we’ve had the breather away, we’re all ready to dive back in. 

How would you describe your sound?

I like to describe our music as Powerpop with an angular Post Punk guitar edge, ala The Thermals, or maybe early Manic Street Preachers? Bit of Against Me for good measure. It’s a tough one to pin down, as we’re never on the outside looking in, ha!

Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?

Superchunk, Trail of Dead & Hot Water Music. If you asked me this question next week though, it would probably be totally different.

What’s the last song you listened to?

This Will Destroy You – Threads

What’s your source for hearing new music?

I help run a record store, so most of my new music I hear through listening to things we could stock – apart from that I read a lot of music books, which I’m normally pulling away from to look up references cited, and just being recommended stuff. If it’s good music, it works for me!

Who is your dream producer?

Steve Albini

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

Tough question! Always wanted to do a split record with a favourite band we’ve had the opportunity to tour with. There’s always been talks about doing a charity cover track of St Elmo’s Fire with our friends The Stayawakes too. 

One of my most wanted collaborations would be for us to write a score or soundtrack to a film alongside the director. We’re not your usual movie soundtrack, but we have a lot of opposing outside musical tastes in the band, and instrumentally I think we’d make it work.

What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?

Only ever had an interest in making art in some form. Motivation I think ties together a lot with mental state and the world around me. Album 1 (No Discordance) was a very personal record, where as album 2 (Axiom) was politically driven. I’ll probably still be writing music up until the day I die, it’s just something I do. I don’t see that stopping.

Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?

It all varies. Sometimes I’ll come along with a finished song and we all say ‘yeah that works!’ And hardly anything changes, but most of the time I’ll come up with a track then we’ll work at it together, then demo and redemo until we feel it’s ready to go.

How do you connect with your audience? 

Active engagement! Talking with them when we’re not playing, hanging around at the merch desk – replying to messages online and keeping them updated with our mailouts. For me it’s one the most important parts, talking to the people that get us and what we’re doing

What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?

Come up and say hi to us at a show, or, drop us a message on socials. We are very friendly people despite the scary black jackets and anarcho punk patches

What’s next for you?

Touring in the later half of 2023 and then time to knuckle down for album 3 and… maybe a US tour if we got time?

Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?

Stream our new track ‘Wasting Time’!

Come check our site, say hello, peruse our merch, look if we’re playing in your area, and stay hydrated pals!