Introducing Harmony Byrne, who opens up with Come Down vs Calm Down

Melbourne-raised musician Harmony Byrne is something special, and if you don't believe us, ask The Teskey Brothers - they've just asked her to open all of their completely sold-out national dates throughout October and November. Specialising in a subtle folk-backed sound that moves between stripped-back richness to fierce with emotion, the rising musician feels comparable to acts like Angie McMahon and Julia Jacklin in her storytelling-focused songwriting, something that's well and truly in the limelight of her latest single, Come Down vs Calm Down.

Arriving today ahead of her tour with The Teskey Brothers, Come Down vs Calm Down is a track that showcases Harmony Byrne's ability to move between sounds within one song, opening in quite a tender, laid-back manner that completely disappears by the time its chaotic, powerfully focused climactic end comes around. It's powerful, but also surprisingly candid and relaxing (to start with, anyway), and sees Byrne cement the singles that have littered her year this far with yet another brilliant moment.

"Come Down vs Calm Down is, in essence, a song about mental health," she says on the track, giving a glimpse to what her emotion-wielding vocal sings on. "It started as a cathartic vocal improvisation, allowing whatever came to mind to be sung. Through this process, words that kept reoccurring later became lyric. I feel there is darkness hidden in our minds that often engulfs us, which although hard to talk about, is important to express."

There's a lot more to come, but for now, dive into Come Down vs Calm Down below, and better introducing yourself to Harmony Byrne before she stuns across her forthcoming run of sold-out dates:

Tell us about yourself?

I’m one of seven kids, I have five tattoos and I hold zero tolerance for mosquitos. I don’t like cold tomatoes, I do like pistachio ice cream. I grew up in Melbourne singing in church and then grew up again singing in pubs. I’ve been performing for 10 years now and before every show I still tell myself it might be my last, so to give it everything.

What’s the vibe music-wise?

Well, the vibe is, as the vibe will be, but for me, there’s a mix of things. I’d say my music is at its core honest folk songwriting, which moves through a range of genres depending on what feels right. Thematically, I notice my songs being drawn toward messages of pilgrimage, freedom, love and at times the utter confusion of life.

What are your production and writing processes like?

They vary so much. I don’t really have a writing process other than just writing every day. Sometimes I’ll have a lyric come to me and then I’ll arrange music to that, or I might have a guitar riff which sparks a vocal melody...I try not to think about it, and just let myself flow freely in and out of the process. I’ve found that I can’t force myself to finish a song, I just have to let them wrap themselves up when they’re ready. It’s taken years for some songs to become fully formed because I needed more life experience to offer.

Can you tell us about your new single Come Down vs Calm Down?

Come Down vs Calm Down is, in essence, a song about mental health. It started as a cathartic vocal improvisation, allowing whatever came to mind to be sung. Through this process, words that kept reoccurring later became lyric.

I feel there is darkness hidden in our minds that often engulfs us, which although hard to talk about, is important to express. I wanted to convey this in the song and for it to feel like a victorious roar of will, showing that through really digging in and knowing who we are and how we deserve to be treated, that we can overcome our monkey minds. It may seem like it’s an angry breakup song, but really it’s about the different voices in our heads that we battle with every day.

Any tour dates coming up?

Come to think of it I have about 20! hehe

I’m supporting my gorgeous pals The Teskey Brothers on their sold-out AU/NZ tour this November/December. I’m shitting myself, it’s gonna be great!

What does the rest of 2019 have in store for you?

I’m in lockdown until the tour is up and then hopefully a little holiday in New Zealand afterwards!

Where can we find more of your music?

My debut album Heavy Doors will be released early next year and you can find a few songs from it already on Spotify and the usual suspects, along with a couple of music videos. You can also catch me live…if you’re in to that kind of thing

Tour Dates (with The Teskey Brothers): 

Oct 30 - The Metro, Sydney - SOLD OUT
Nov 1 - The Metro, Sydney - SOLD OUT
Nov 2 - UOW Uni Bar, Wollongong - SOLD OUT
Nov 3 - The Metro, Sydney - SOLD OUT
Nov 8 - The Gov, Adelaide- SOLD OUT
Nov 10 - The Gov, Adelaide - SOLD OUT
Nov 12 - The Forum, Melbourne - SOLD OUT
Nov 13 - The Forum, Melbourne - SOLD OUT
Nov 15 - The Forum, Melbourne - SOLD OUT
Nov 16 - The Forum, Melbourne - SOLD OUT
Nov 20 - The Triffid, Brisbane - SOLD OUT
Nov 21 - The Triffid, Brisbane - SOLD OUT
Nov 22 - The Triffid, Brisbane - SOLD OUT
Nov 28 - The Astor, Perth - SOLD OUT
Nov 29 - Rock Rover, Fremantle - SOLD OUT
Nov 30 - The River, WA - SOLD OUT

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