Exposed Vocals Interviews Harmony Drive

Harmony Drive from Norway is all about mellow tunes with elements of Americana, rock and alternative pop. The band was started by 3 metal heads who shared the same love for acoustic music. They released their critically acclaimed debut album, in Norway in September 2014 and recieved high rotation on American radio stations and even reached number 11 on Philippine radio charts without being released there. This success lead the band on a radio tour in the US and a tour in the Philippines.

Now they are releasing their second single “See you” on 30th September 2016..

The album and singles was recorded with help from drummer Dave Elitch (the Mars Volta,Antemasque,Juliette Lewis ),and producer legend  Richard J Veltrop (Rage against the machine, Tom Petty, Ozzy, Savoy, Macy Gray). The album will be followed by a tour in the Philippines, USA and Mexico .

The recording took place in Weed, California in July 2013 in Sylvia Massy’s Radiostar Studios,
and in April 2015 at The Spot Studios in Denver, Colorado.

They are currently finishing up the filming for their music video for their single “See you” in Denver, Colorado. It will be released with the single on the 30.09.16.

They are also filming a music video in the Phillipenes for their next single at the moment.

Booking/Press: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/harmonydrivemusic
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/harmonydrive
EPK: Search “Harmony Drive EPK” on youtube.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist? 

Harmony Drive: I grew up on a farm in Norway and why i´ve become and artist wanting to create music is complex put something inside me have always wanted to from the first stroke i did on the piano until to day and it never seems to stop

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Harmony Drive: We wanted a name assosicated with our music. We called ourselves Metal heads with broken hearts for 2 years. But it did´nt quite give us the right feel. We started searching for something else something that confined us. Our love for harmonies and with a litle edge and drive to it. So there we go Harmony drive was born

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Harmony Drive: Its a complex question. On one side sharing on internet gives you so much potensial new lisseners and on the otherside it makes it harder to acctually earn from your music. I think you need to be smarter and add something more to your music. Video, pictures and a good story. That will make you more interesting compared to the other 20 thousand band you competing with.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get services and airplay some tips?

Harmony Drive: Create your music and start looking at it a little business like. You need to work your ass off and be where it happens. Call the radio dj, speak with people in the business. Create profiles on all the social media and start spread your words

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Harmony Drive: It happens all the time. But as a performer you cant think of the past. Everything is happening right now. Your little poor solo start will be forgotten if you finish it like a God.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about? 

Harmony Drive: Tour are great! Getting around and meeting new people and fans you didn’t know that existed. While we were touring in the Philippines we had metal bands warming up for us. Its crazy when you think of what kinda of music we play. Kinda crashed. But somehow it work out pretty well. We are old metal heads .

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process? 

Harmony Drive: I get inspired by listening on other artist and seeing other bands performance. It usually starts on the guitar or the piano. You get the idea down and it flows from there. Sometimes it takes time and sometimes you write the song in 10 minutes. Something wrong was that kinda of song. Just boom!. And we had it. Thats how me and Andre new we had something

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Harmony Drive: Use everything! But now facebook is the thing. We also using presskit.to/harmonydrive. We are currently working on a homepage to just connect everything. We are out on all the streaming plattforms spotify, tidal, amazon, reverbnation and soundcloud

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Harmony Drive: My guilty pleasures? Well i like all music so i wouldn’t call it embarrassing, But Elton Johns, Can you feel the love tonight

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it? 

Harmony Drive: To win the lottery? WE have probably enough material for two new records. I´ve would had gone somewhere quiet and work on my music

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now? 

Harmony Drive: We are working on upgrading our studio! We need a good drumkit. Just got an old DDA mixer i cant wait to get installed 56 channels!! Now im mixing in the box with audient preamps and distressors as compression. Ive been a Cubase man for quite a while. So everything goes in there. But it just for pre prod. We are working with the spot studios in denver. That is where we record the finals

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Harmony Drive: Facebook and facebook everyone is on there. Soundcloud is also very nice

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why? 

Harmony Drive:I would answer Minnie Ripperton. It could be anywhere. Her vocals are so great and we probably would have performed jazz. I think that would have been just right

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Harmony Drive: We are currently releasing ou new single see you. Is an follow up from the record. We also have one more in the bag who will be released early next year

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing? 

Harmony Drive: Farming, but i dont know anything except music so, probably dead

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head? 

Harmony Drive: Mj with Dangerous. I was 11 and it was a cassette. My brother had the cd and i thought it was the best I´ve heard.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life? 

Harmony Drive:There is never enough time, but take one day at a time. It´s not easy but it was never the idea either.

Link to pressvideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EpwWIu2JOQ
Link to spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2U3eFvZmMmsHwHslY9vial