HARIZ is an LA based singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. Pronounced “huh-reez”, the 23 year old touts clever lyricism, uplifting energy and dynamic delivery which has led to millions of streams and a deep connection with his passionate fan base.
Even though HARIZ is an up and coming independent pop artist, he has already received enormous accolades with his signature style. He won the 2016 ASCAP Harold Adamson Lyric Award for Pop Music. A year later, he unveiled his breakthrough single “OVRBRD”.
As we moved into 2020, HARIZ released “I Got You” received radio airplay across the country and landed on the US Billboard and Mediabase pop charts.
We sat down with HARIZ and asked him 10 high quality questions! We got his advice for breaking into the industry, the impact of COVID on the music biz and the first time he heard himself on the radio!
Check out HARIZ wherever you get your music!
LEG: Where were you when you first heard yourself on the radio?
H: I was actually at home because the first station that played it wasn’t in LA, so I had the station it pulled up on my laptop. I just went to my room, jump on my bed, and actually tuned in about half an hour before the song was supposed to play because I was so excited I didn’t want to miss it. As soon as it came on I started tearing up because I couldn’t believe that my music had gotten to the point to where it was getting its first air play. Just another confirmation that I love doing this and can’t wait to do it the rest of my life.
LEG: The new track is called “I Got You” take us inside the process, how long did it take from conception to finished product, how many hours in the studio, how many times did you tweak it before it was released?
H: The actual process of creating the song was really quick, we probably only took about an hour to write the song, and another couple hours doing the production. Every part of that song was just really easy to fit, every instrument that we picked just felt right, every vocal line, every lyric just flowed effortlessly. And once we kinda finished it for the day, we all just sat back and listened to it from the start and kinda knew that this song was really special. What’s really weird is it somehow sat in my “song vault” for three years before I went back and listen to it and said “I can’t believe I haven’t put this out yet“. So I went and got it mixed and mastered, and here we are today!
LEG: Is it scary to put your baby, that you worked so hard on into to public for everyone to hear?
H: Of course it is, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t! I always want everyone to love and connect with every song of mine as much as I do; but what gives me comfort is knowing that I can put my heart and soul out there for me to love first, before anyone else. Feeling vulnerable is what gives me strength. Whoever loves it and connects with it I’m grateful, and whoever doesn’t, I got a thousand other songs ready for you to choose from haha, there’s bound to be one!
LEG: What’s the one thing you hope listeners take away from “I Got You”?
H: That you aren’t alone. Everyone has and I got you, the person or thing that will always be there for them no matter what. Even in times when you think that you don’t have an “I got you” there will be someone, or some thing that proves otherwise.
LEG: What advice would you have for anyone trying to break into the music industry?
H: I would say focus on your craft, and forget the other bullshit. Yea having major social media followers is nice and definitely a helpful part, but what’s really gonna separate you and give you the length for your career is your music. What makes you YOU. That’s what it always boils down to.
LEG: With so many artists in isolation with nothing but time to create, what are your thoughts on music coming out post quarantine?
H: I think there’s gonna be a lot of music pertaining to what it’s like to experience what we’ve been going through. A lot of music probably regarding struggle, both the light and dark side of it. And maybe a lot of music about not taking things for granted, understanding that life can change in an instant.
LEG: Did you learn anything new during quarantine? Any new hobbies you picked up or anything new you learned about yourself?
H: Not really to be honest, just roll with more music, tried fine tuning my guitar skills, played a lot of ping-pong. But mostly I learned how much I appreciate my family and friends.
LEG: Are there any personal or professional set-backs you’ve experienced that have made you stronger? What were they and how did you grow from that experience?
H: A bunch unfortunately, it’s just part of the industry that you got to deal with. And with each of those experiences, of course I’ve grown. They helped me understand what I need in order to push my career forward, what I need to look out for, and what I need to pay attention to. But more importantly it taught me patience, and understanding that this isn’t something that will come quickly.
LEG: As an independent artist you seem to have some real momentum right now which is incredibly difficult to achieve. How have you managed to do that and what are some of the benefits of being independent vs. being signed to a major label?
H: I mean the big benefit of being independent is that you really have major control over your music. You really get to take your time in developing exactly what your sound is. And once you’re really solid with that, a major label could really help “pour gasoline on to the fire” and take it to that other level. There’s pros and cons to both, what’s most important is that you feel really confident in your team, that they are really looking out for your best interests, whether you’re independent or signed to a major.
LEG: It’s clear you’ve got a very strong work ethic but what is something you do to relax and recharge when you’re not making music or on the road usually?
H: I love watching tv, really helps the mind escape haha! But I also like taking walks by myself. Having that alone time really helps reset my mind.
LEG: What can we expect from you for the rest of 2020 and beyond?
H: I’m releasing my new single “The Reason” in November. It’s a song that captures the guilt of leaving someone heartbroken. I wanted to focus on the pain of knowing you’re the cause of someone else’s pain, especially when that’s the last thing you want to be. I’ve been on both sides, and I want to bring light to the fact that breakups are just as painful on both sides.
And in 2021 more music, more shows, more of me. I just expect myself to get more honest and more vulnerable with each piece of art I put out, and hopefully continue to grow bigger and bigger.