Finding power in the past is very much the mantra for Harriet as she prepares to release new album The Outcome.
Written and recorded in Sweden, the rising star surrounded herself with the Scandinavian country’s pop history and embraced her love for ABBA.
Those influences are clear to hear on lead single ‘Story of Your Life’, which Harriet promises is a taste of what’s to come as she chats with CelebMix.
Q: Hi Harriet, thanks for chatting with CelebMix. What are you up to today?
A: I’m currently sat in my kitchen, drinking coffee and proof-reading the artwork for my album. I’m such a perfectionist, but at some point I’m going to have to let it go and just accept that somewhere there might be a little typo hiding, ha!
Q: Congratulations on ‘Story of Your Life’, there’s something so anthemic yet vulnerable in the track. How did it come about?
A: Thank you! I wrote this song as a letter to my younger self. I wish I had been less hard on myself growing up. I feel that everyone needs to hear the message in this song at the moment, we are all so much more capable than we think. It’s about recognising that the ups and downs are all part of the adventure and if we can find a way to own the challenges we face, they can really empower us.
Q: It’s part of your upcoming second album, The Outcome. Can fans expect a similar sound to ‘Story of Your Life’ on there
A: For sure. There are some really uplifting moments on the record that have a similar energy. I wanted the album to be both vulnerable and fun, as I think it’s important for us to be in touch with both of these things. I hope people get something good out of the music!
Q: The record was recorded in Sweden which is really the home of pop music. How inspiring was it working there?
A: It was awesome. The first time I travelled to Stockholm to write and record, I just felt something in the air out there. It’s such a nucleus of music and creativity. On every street corner there is a little studio with producer or writer beavering away, making magic. I also find the Swedish people incredibly collaborative and warm and I’ve made some friends for life there. I’ll be making more music there for sure.
Q: We know you’re a big ABBA fan. What do you love about the group so much?
A: Their ability to deliver a melancholy lyric in a way that is often so joyful is genius. They are so progressive sonically; masters of emotional, bitter-sweet pop. I love the blend of Agnetha and Frida’s voices together and all the overdubbing they do to create that big ‘wall of sound’. For me, putting ABBA on is like putting an outfit on that you feel you can conquer the world in. When their latest album, Voyage, was released I was so inspired by the fact they had remained truly authentic, despite it being 40 years on. It shows how timeless their music is.
Q: You actually teamed up with Anders Hansson for this record, who has worked with Agnetha from ABBA. That must have been pretty surreal?
A: It was, yes! Anders is one of my favourite people to be in the studio with. We recorded vocals for our for songs on the record in one day, working late into the night; we were in the zone and it was awesome! He has worked with so many legendary artists, so it’s a privilege to have worked with him on The Outcome.
I especially love his work with Swedish Artists, Agnes and Emilia Mitiku. In fact, Jörgen Elofsson and Pär Westerlund who I also collaborated with on my album worked with Agnetha too, on her most recent solo album that she released before ABBA’s reunion. These small degrees of separation between us are very exciting. I’d love to meet her one day… just putting that out there into the universe!
Q: Thanks for chatting, Harriet. We’ve got one final question – how would you describe The Outcome in three words?
A: Evocative. Uplifting. Honest.
The Outcome is released on May 12th. Are you a fan of Harriet? Let us know @CelebMix on Twitter.