Video Feature & Web-Exclusive Interview
Artist:  FIONA HARTE

Video:  “Auburn”

FIONA HARTE FEATURED AT BRAVERY ON FIRE: A BENEFIT FOR WOMEN’S CANCER RESEARCH THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Northern Ireland singer-songwriter Fiona Harte will be featured this Thursday, September 24 (8 PM Eastern) at Bravery on Fire: A Benefit for Women’s Cancer Research. Harte’s new EP, Home Recordings, was recorded during quarantine and is available on Apple Music and Spotify. These recordings bare the honest songwriting that is evident in her haunting, emotive vocals. When she does an evocative cover of Credence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”—you can taste the tender emotion of the song’s lyrics.

This Thursday night, Rachael Sage, a self-described “cancer thriver” will bring together a powerful group of performers for a great cause—to raise funds for Foundation for Women’s Cancer. Along with Grammy winners Paula Cole and Lisa Loeb, the livestream will feature Tony-winning Broadway actors Megan Hilty and Alison Pill, musicians Jill Sobule, Kyshona, Grace Pettis, Heather Mae & Crys Matthews, Grace Kelly, Toby Lightman, Gaby Moreno, Fiona Harte, Mandy Harvey and dancer Abigail Simon. 100% of all proceeds will be donated to Foundation for Women’s Cancer.

The livestream will be overseen by Grammy and Emmy-winning music and television production company StreamTheory and livestreamed at BraveryOnFire.com, as well as Facebook Live and YouTube.

We talked with Fiona Harte about her passion to help create social change, her fascination with handclaps, what inspires her creative process, what keeps her hopeful in these unique times, her need to stir people to rise up and why it’s imperative for all of us to rally to have women’s voices heard.

FIONA HARTE Interview

with M Music & Musicians magazine publisher, Merlin David

Tell us about one of the songs you plan to play at the Bravery on Fire event.
For “Auburn,” I sent a rough demo guitar part to Colm McClean, a session player in Belfast, Ireland. He came up with the gorgeous part on the recording. I then just added the vocals and it was basically done—the beauty of having an EP called Home Recordings. I am so happy to be part of Bravery on Fire and to show my support through the power of music. Rachael is a dear friend of mine and I am honored to be playing the event.

How did the idea for “Auburn” come to you?
I wrote the song about the saying “the grass is always greener.” It’s about how we are always wondering what’s next—so much so that we sometimes miss the moment that we’re in. The line “Somewhere in that Auburn sky there’s a honey pot with roses scattered over an old parking lot” is a metaphor for how sometimes things aren’t always as they seem.

How did the new EP Home Recordings evolve?
The EP was recorded during quarantine. The time at home definitely inspired me. On earlier recordings, I would get a lot of opinions from band members, friends and producers—which I very much appreciated. But sometimes, I got a bit lost in what I wanted the songs to sound like. This project is all me. It gave me the chance to settle down at home and make something that felt honest and true to myself. When lockdown happened, I knew the whole project was going to be acoustic. I began to feel excited about making songs that can still stand with just guitar or piano and vocals.

What is one thing you learned about yourself after recording this EP?
I have found that I really enjoy producing and recording. With each song I write, I want to be more and more involved in the end product. Lately, I am learning to make the most of what I have. So if I can’t get out and about to work with people, I’ll jump on zoom or whatever.

In this unique socio-political time, how do you remain hopeful?
I am hopeful that things are going in the right direction. It’s just a slow process. My generation and others to come are strong and we will fight for change—so that inspires me to be hopeful.

Who originally inspired you to write songs?
I love Dolly Parton and her music definitely inspired me to write.

What songwriting tip would you like to offer?
Always finish something when you start it. If you’re in a creative flow, you shouldn’t let things get in the way of it.

What instruments/equipment can you not live without?
I couldn’t live without my Takamine guitar, my interface and microphone. I use them pretty much every day. I have always really connected with Takamine guitars. I started learning guitar on one when I was 12 years old and have been playing them since. My acoustic often inspires me to write and makes me want to practice more—just because I love the sound so much.

Which Top 5 Musicians inspired you to become a musician?
Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell, Shania Twain, Christina Aguilera, Natasha Bedingfield.

Your Top 5 favorite albums of all time?

White Ladder (1998) – David Gray

Here You Come Again (1977) – Dolly Parton

Blue (1971) – Joni Mitchell

Shania Twain (1993) – Shania Twain

Closing Time (1973) – Tom Waits

Tell us a “pinch me” moment when you thought “Wow, this is really happening to me!”
Every time I perform, I feel that way.

Where can new fans get more info and stay updated?

Facebook.com/Fiona140

Instagram: @fionaharte

Twitter: @FionaHarte1