Lying on your bed at night, with the soft light falling across those familiar shapes that adorn your safe space, you might reach across to your laptop and tap into Harve’s sonic universe. Describing their work as “nighttime music”, Harve creates a portal with the power to electrify your senses and soothe your nerves, creating space for reflection and healing. Through DIY blends that marry nostalgic R&B with a fluctuating landscape of sound, this South East London artist is effortlessly vulnerable.

In a world that too-often rejects our existence as trans non-binary individuals, there is endless power in creativity so rooted in a personal reality. Harve’s lyrical poetry is revealing, softly welcoming the listener into the folds of their perspective. It plays with the changing nature of identity, time, and electronic potential. In their new EP, In Time, Harve continues to collaborate with a range of loved ones, unlocking the magic held within connection and community, and creating worlds that bridge experiences and lifetimes.

We sat down with Harve to speak about their DIY approach, queerness, and creativity.

 

An archive submission HÄN received back in April 2023, co-curated with HÄN and Harve's manager Becky Tong. Introduction and Q&A by Prishita Maheshwari-Aplin, black and white portraits of Harve by Vic Lentaigne, EP cover artwork by Luke & Nik.

 

 

Black and white portraits of Harve by Vic Lentaigne.

 

 

Prishita: Your signature sampling style uses old demos and voice notes to create something new and original. What value do you find in this way of working?

Harve: I think originally I started sampling as I’m not a trained musician; I can play a little keys, enough to write, but when I began using samples I found much more creative freedom. I usually stick to sampling myself. This is really fun as an artist, there’s so much work that we never get to share - there’s so many ideas that never get used. I’ve found that resampling an old demo allows them to exist beyond my hard drive, whilst breathing new life into the tune I’m making.

When I work with other people, I like to incorporate old voice notes or demos of my collaborators so they are intrinsically part of the beat - it’s like an Easter egg for those who know.

 

P: It also aligns with a hot DIY sound! Why do you think that trans and non-binary artists are drawn to a DIY approach to creativity and production?

H: There is very little visibility for trans and nb artists and producers; for the first 6 years of my music career, I was never even in a room with a producer that wasn’t a cis man. Not only this, but I think there’s a lack of safe and accessible spaces for my community to engage with and learn how to produce, and subsequently, finding a mentor is hard. I think we’re not really afforded the choice to take a DIY approach, but I think what we create is extra special because of that.

I have to shout out Planningtorock, an incredible trans non-binary producer and artist who was one of the first that made me think, “I can actually do this”.

 

 

'In Time' new EP by Harve, with cover artwork by Luke & Nik.

 

 

P: I love Planningtorock! What’s the value in collaboration? Which are your favourite collaborations in this EP?

H: Personally, I feel music is all about collaboration. As much as I know my skill and creativity will keep expanding, there are things which are simply not my strength, and I’m okay with that. I love working with others and think there’s so much to learn from my peers; they have something I don’t, and that’s why it works. I’ve found so much freedom in creating beyond the boundaries of tunes I would sing on. 

It’s too hard to pick a favourite collaboration on this project! Everybody brought such different flavours to the EP, and they all understood the assignment. All special in their own right; Miso Extra and Jaydonclover are good friends of mine, Bebeluna and nwakke are incredible non-binary artists, so that felt like a bit of an NB anthem, and JGrrey is my partner, so it was really beautiful to write together.

 

P: Sounds so magical, and I think collaboration also offers much-needed connection in a sometimes isolating society. Do you think the broader climate, especially socio-political, has an impact on our creativity as marginalised individuals? Have the past few years impacted yours?

H: I think it has a huge impact, but it also changes daily. Some days it feels really isolating to be trans in not only the music industry, but the world. Other days, you’re able to sink into community and find the joy.

Some days I really struggle to get through the overriding transphobic rhetoric in this country, and globally, and other days this is what drives me to be a part of increasing visibility for others. I feel like all I can do is what our trans elders before us did, exist the best we can in a world in which we are undervalued, and often not loved aloud. 

 

P: That’s beautiful. What’s the power of softness and vulnerability in a harsh climate?

H: Reality is, no matter how many times I reject the transphobic, homophobic narrative of the media and state, it hurts pretty much every time. There is strength to be found in accepting that. It is what allows me to be vulnerable with my partner, my friends, and my family. 

As a trans masc person, being soft has often felt like it directly conflicts my sense of masculinity. It’s taken me a long time to shake off some of the more toxic preconceptions of masculinity I had. Being vulnerable used to feel like an extra weight on what was already overwhelming imposter syndrome. I put a lot of this down to the lack of visibility of trans masc people in general, but specifically a lack of positive and gentle representation.

Now I can see that my ability to be both soft and hard, vulnerable and strong, is my power. In fact, to be everything all at once, feels like the most non-binary thing - and I’m proud of that.

 

 

Black and white portraits of Harve by Vic Lentaigne.

 

 

P: And do you think these traits are present and visible in your work?

H: Absolutely. It’s the reason I started making music; to give myself space to be vulnerable. I think in this project specifically, I tried to create an environment where all my collaborators could be vulnerable also. It’s often one of those unspoken things with musicians though; we’re all here writing songs so we can work out how we feel, so we can let it out - it’s easy to bond through that.

 

P: How do you express these emotions through your music, perhaps speaking more technically?

H: Sound is emotional to me. It always has been. Where I haven’t been able to find words, sounds and textures have filled a void and expressed emotions I’m sometimes not even aware of. I do specifically find using vocal samples really emotive. The main sample on “02:29” is built from sampling my voice; every person's voice is unique, so the result feels very personal.

 

P: I personally feel like people’s voices are also so evocative. They really tie in with how I feel around them and how I love them. What does it mean to love as a queer person today?

H: It's hard to speak for anyone else on this, but for me, it feels like fighting a battle and giving in all at the same time. Giving in to love, and allowing myself to believe I deserve it, whilst fighting for our right to do so. Sometimes I wonder if younger trans or queer people see me and my partner loving out loud - I wonder if it means something to them. I still get all excited now when I see an older queer couple together - validation that we exist, we already did, and we always will. 

Queer love goes so much further than romantic love though. Our chosen families are such a source of joy, understanding and safety. I know that mine have held me in ways I didn’t know were there.

 

P: Yes yes, chosen family is vital! And mine’s created such a space for healing. For me, writing and creativity also holds such power for this personal healing. What do you personally get out of your creativity? And what do you want to achieve with it?

H: When I make music, especially by myself at home, I have so much fun. Fun like I did when I was a kid. There’s so much to explore, so many mistakes to be made, and endless possibilities. I think I actually find it hard to allow myself to be so care-free in most other aspects of my life. I don’t seem to put up the same boundaries when I’m creating - it’s more of a flow state moment.

Exploring freely is so important as a trans person; there’s so many everyday things in life which become complicated. If me living my truth and creating authentically inspires another trans person to do the same, I’ll have achieved a lot. 

 

P: Make a wish.

H: Accessible gender-affirming care for all my siblings.

 

 

Credits:

'In Time' new EP by Harve.

Q&A and introduction by Prishita Maheshwari-Aplin.

Black and white portraits by Vic Lentaigne.

EP cover artwork by Luke & Nik.

Archive submission received in April 2023 by Harve's manager Becky Tong, full piece co-curated with HÄN.

 

09/07/2023