A Quick Chat with Harriet Hawthorne

Can you tell us a bit about your inspiration for Bitch With A Guitar?

The inspiration for Bitch With A Guitar struck at the exact moment someone told me not to write a song about the cruel way they had acted towards me. As I began writing about my experience with that person, I started thinking about all the incredible songs in the world that will never see the light of day out of an artist’s fear of the person it is about hearing it. I wanted this song to be as unapologetic and true to my experience as possible, without that fear.

What are your influences and how do they affect your songwriting?

I take a lot of influence from the current pop girls who are running the music scene, such as Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, as well as rock and folk artists from the ’70s, such as Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, and the list goes on.

When I write, I’m never trying to achieve the sound or style of a specific artist that I listen to; I think that just comes naturally. In the same way that we begin to speak with the same inflections and phrases as the people close to us, I write like the people I listen to. Because of this, broadening my horizons as a listener ends up broadening myself as a writer as well. Something I try to do is research the artists who inspire my favourite artists and listen to their discographies, and more often than not, they become an inspiration for me as well.

What’s the creative process like for you?

I come up with my best songs when I’m by myself. When I’m alone, I can flesh out an inspiration or idea that came to me on a train, in a conversation, or from a line in a movie. I generally start with one lyric, which I’ll pair with a melody on my guitar, and the rest will follow.

Sometimes I’ll go over and over one lyric 100 times until I’m happy with it, but it’s really important to me that I’m not a perfectionist when it comes to writing or getting ideas out, so I write a lot (almost daily). I’d say that for every good song, there are around 20 bad ones.

If you could change something about the Australian music industry, what would it be?

I recently read an article that I found very interesting. It explained that while Australian music is highly valued and supported, especially by those within the music scene, there is a disconnect between this statement and the actual audience attendance of emerging local acts.

While this could be attributed to the cost of living, limited awareness, and other very valid reasons, a change I would like to see in the Australian music industry is the actualisation of this support in the form of attendance at shows by both people in the music industry and people outside of it.

What do you think life would be like for you if you didn’t have music as an outlet?

Writing is my way of processing and articulating my thoughts and feelings, and just my life in general. So I imagine that if I didn’t have music as an outlet, I would have to find some other way to channel and process my emotions to remain a fully functioning person, or I would have a crisis.

I feel like that outlet would still fall into a field of creativity because I really thrive when I have something to work towards and put all my energy into. But if all else failed, I can imagine my new outlet being becoming an adrenaline junkie.

What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry?

My advice to young people in the industry is to invest in yourself like you would if you were starting a business, because essentially, that is what you’re doing, and you’re the CEO. One of the joys that being an independent artist has to offer is that you get to make all the big and creative decisions, but along with this, you have to be prepared to take risks. I bet you couldn’t name one successful business that started from the ground up and didn’t take a risk.

One other piece of advice I would give to young musicians is that in the beginning, say yes to every opportunity that comes your way, but do not wait for opportunities to come your way. Seek them out.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve worked with or met?

Calvin Bennett, who is the producer behind Bitch With A Guitar and my upcoming EP, is also behind the sound of many of WA’s original artists.

What I love about Calvin is that he doesn’t impose his own sound on the artists he works with, but instead works to enhance the individuality of the artist that’s already there. I feel so privileged to have someone with this mindset backing my music.

Calvin’s music knowledge is so extensive, and working alongside him has helped me create the sound I have always wanted for my music. I asked him once if he ever gets sick of the songs he records because of how many times he has to listen to them, and he replied, “Not really, because if I did, that would be an indication that I haven’t done a good job,” which I think speaks to his character and how much care he puts into the projects he works on.

Any upcoming shows?

EEEKK!! I am opening for Kav Temperley at Willow Whispers Bridgetown on Sunday, the 6th of December!! And I’d love to have my first headline show at some point in the near future and maybe, just maybe, that could be happening. But my lips are sealed.