The Hypnotic Sound of Harmony Byrne

Hailed as one of the most exciting and relatable new artists in the industry, Australian singer-songwriter Harmony Byrne recently released her debut LP Heavy Doors. With lush vocals and sharp lyricism, the 10-track album traverses a variety of styles from psych-rock to blues, alt-country, pop, folk, and gospel. Byrne explores topics like tragedy, spirituality, depression, fear, addiction, and self-liberation with raw honesty.

As the third of seven children and raised in the Mormon religion, Byrne was introduced to church music and traditional rock ‘n’ roll at a young age. This is where she discovered a deep, intimate love for the tunes of yesteryear. Before entering Melbourne’s Waldorf School of the Arts, Byrne began to teacher herself to play guitar and piano, all while developing a unique songwriting voice of her own. Now, she carries a powerful voice that will leave listeners no choice but to hang onto her every word.

OUT FRONT had the opportunity to chat more with Byrne about Heavy Doors.Hi, Harmony! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me about your debut LP, Heavy Doors. How exciting is this for you?
Probably about as exciting as having your first-born child!

Can you talk more about the album’s inspiration and concept?
Sure. I guess the inspiration has been my life and experiences. As my first body of work, I wanted something to represent me as a whole. The concept being exploration, adventure, and integrity.

Tell us, what can we expect the moment we hit that play button?
A rollercoaster of emotional sounds.

You are known to fuse several different genres into your music instead of sticking to one in particular. How come?
[Laughs] Probably because I can’t seem to get one genre to “stick” to me! I am a free bird, and I do not think I could ever limit myself or be more palatable for the sake of others needing a label or genre in order to listen to music. Maybe I do have one genre: self-expression.

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How has Heavy Doors been received so far?
I couldn’t say. I believe it has been received well. I have been staring at the newborn’s face and loving it. Who knows what anyone else thinks!

Is there an overall message you are trying to convey?
Life is a weird, wild ride.

Do you have a song that is your favorite? One that you hold closest to your heart?
Nah, no favorites when it comes to songs, sorry [laughs]. I chose to do a Townes Van Zandt cover at the end of the record. I guess that must be pretty special for me to choose it. “If I Needed You” is for my mama, so let’s go with that one.Have you always had a passion for singing and songwriting?
Absolutely. It has always oozed out of me whether I like it or not.

You evolved from a Mormon church singer to an art-school kid who embraced their fiery voice and sexuality. Can you tell us more about your personal journey in discovering who you are?
My music kind of says it all. I am so grateful for my religious upbringing, my artistic schooling, and my ability to channel experiences into music.

What was growing up in the Mormon church like for you, and is your family supportive of your music career?
Growing up in church gave me a connection to God and song. I owe a lot of emotional delivery to gospel music. Music of Praise is so emotive, and I love that. And yes, my family is super supportive. At my last gig before COVID, my sisters sang with me, and it was such a treat!

What do you hope audiences take away from Heavy Doors?
A whole lot of feeling.

And what do you personally take away from your music?
That I am an intense, emotional being, and that is something to be proud of.

What more would you like to accomplish with your music and platform?
For the space to be a reciprocal conduit of unbridled, unfiltered love.

Are there any other upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?
Album number two!

To stay up-to-date with Byrne, follow her on social media or her website. Heavy Doors is available on all music platforms including Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Music.