Introducing Harry Fox, who levels up with his latest track, Shores

If you've already heard of Brisbane's Harry Fox, it'll probably be either due to 1) his presence as one of the city's most in-demand producers and DJs in the club circuit, where events such as his ongoing Harry Fox & Friends series has brought together Brisbane electronic's next generation; or 2) for his debut EP Circles last year, a collection of tracks including a collaboration with hip-hop riser Xavier Mayne, that followed on from a bunch of collaborations across the year prior - ones featuring Sophie Bridges and Donny Casper included.

In 2019, however, he's not letting the energy whimper away. His latest single Shores arrives as his fourth for the year thus far, following on Destined - which bookmarked the year in its early days - right through to collaborations with Andrea Consoli and Isadoré on Clouds and Autumn respectively; the former being somewhat of a break-out moment for the rising star. Shores, meanwhile, is a song that sees a departure from his past work in a move that highlights his versatility and range as a musician and songwriter not willing to be boxed into a genre or sound, twisting up the energies into something vastly different.

The biggest difference is obvious from the get-go, and it's that Harry Fox is embracing the world of percussive dancehall with Shores; a clanging percussive sway meeting a strong hook from Jamaican/French collaborator Jasi that together, unite to form this warm, sun-soaked summer anthem that has Harry Fox looking forwards into this future. "Shores is about a good time in the sun. A lot of my music is dark, but I linked up with Jasi in the UK on the rainiest day and I was just so happy to be overseas making music," he says on the track. "We were in this tiny cabin getting rained in, but we were laughing, talking about our hometowns and that’s what came through in the track."

It's a brilliant moment from a producer who doesn't seem to be slowing down, so dive into Shores below, and better introduce yourself to Harry Fox while you're at it:

Tell us about yourself?

I’m an electronic and hip-hop producer from Brisbane (born and raised mate!). I’ve been a drummer since I was young, and I’ve been making music for nearly a decade. HARRY FOX is a project that I have been working on for about 2 years and it’s been an amazing journey so far.

What’s the vibe music-wise?

I love really gnarly dance music, RnB, and dirty electronic vibes, so the HF project is smack bang in the middle of that. I was a resident DJ in Brizzy for a few years so a lot of my released music is primed for a 2 AM dirty dancefloor sesh, but I also love music that gets you in the feels on a late-night drive. That’s where my new music is heading. It’s normally wonky, heavy and emotional sometimes but it’s always hip-shakeable.

What are your production and writing processes like?

Honestly, whatever happens, happens. I normally start with chords and a melody that put me into a lights-low, kinda-sexy-kinda-sad vibe. I perfect a little section of that - just notes and harmony wise - then start getting super weird with the sound design until it’s all sounding like something I haven’t heard before. Then I’ll throw some drums on it, do up a groove and cook up a filthy bassline and we’re there.

After that, it’s all about working with the right vocalist and massaging the track into the best version of itself with them. Oftentimes the vocalist jumps on halfway through and I get reinspired what they’ve done and shift production elements to synergise more with their lyrics and melodies and the whole track levels up a lot. I’m a big fan of how What So Not, Golden Features and RL Grime create music that really, really takes you to an epic, alien world that is somehow hosting the best festival in the universe - I’m trying to create those kinds of feelings with my music.

Can you tell us about your new single, Shores?

Shores is actually a bit of a departure for me - there’s a lot of nods to dancehall in my music, but this one is a real summertime vibe, way happier than my music normally is. Which is rad! It’s really just about a good time in the sun - a feelgood bop for the pool-party. I went on a writing holiday at the end of last year to the UK and linked up with Jasi over there - he is way too dope. We just talked and laughed for a while, then started writing in this tiny cabin studio on top of this massive hill in Bristol. It was so grey and rainy (I actually sampled the rain, you can just hear it at the start of the track), but he’s got a Caribbean-French background so we really connected over a love for our tropical hometowns and I think that’s what came through in the music.

Any tour dates coming up?

Me and my team are putting the right things in place for a debut tour next year. Stay tuned. We have big goals with getting live shows to people…

What does the rest of 2019 – and beyond - have in store for you?

Really, it’s about putting the finishing touches on the music I’m going to drop at the start of next year, and cranking out as much new stuff as I can. Definitely working with as many cool vocalists as I can find! (If you’re a singer and you’re reading this - let's make cool music) I’m planning on touring next year so this is a big period of hustling in the studio for me, I’m super excited for the next stage of everything.

Where can we find more of your music?

Everywhere you get music! Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and Google Play, all of them. Jump on and give Shores with Jasi a listen!

Follow Harry Fox: FACEBOOK