A Quick Chat with Harrison Storm
With the release of his sophomore album Empty Garden, Australian indie-folk singer-songwriter Harrison Storm has stepped into his most vulnerable and expansive era yet. Out now via Nettwerk, the record finds him weaving together hypnotic folk, atmospheric pop, and bold rock textures, creating his most ambitious sonic palette to date. It’s the sound of an artist who’s pushed himself further than ever, opening up lyrically, and trusting collaborators to help bring his vision to life.
Written in the aftermath of a break-up and shaped across road trips, writing retreats, and long stretches on tour, Empty Garden is less about heartbreak itself than the deeper patterns beneath it. Across ten tracks – ranging from the breezy escapism of Under The Sail to the cinematic duet Someone Else with Swedish artist Winona Oak – Storm blends introspection with catharsis, always looking for the light in difficult endings. The album title, which he once saw as a symbol of loss, has come to represent the balance between emptiness and renewal: the chance to plant something new.
With Empty Garden, he’s not just building on past success – he’s rewriting his creative process, confronting personal truths, and finding beauty in the unknown.
What is the inspiration for your new album, Empty Garden?
I’ve found I’ve reached a point in my journey now where the relationships around me are more important than ever and continue to be. Especially the relationship I have with myself. The last few years have seen some personal deep diving to help get over some emotional mountains, and in those moments where you are at your lowest, you uncover parts of yourself that have remained hidden. These parts that contain things like resilience, bravery, and honesty are emotions that help you step into a new version of you that is always unfolding, and feels more settled. Empty Garden speaks of those discoveries.
Is there a theme or central point within this record? Where did it grow from, and how did it come about?
Like any journey inwards, you are faced with how you reflect with your outer world. The dance between the two, without getting too caught up in your own head. So, naturally for me, I explore heartache, loss, and grief and what they mean for me and the people I'm entwined with. And of course, like two sides of the same coin, grief and loss help you understand love and joy more. So those themes are explored too.
What was the creation of this record like? Take us through the process!
I was fortunate enough to record these songs in Stockholm, Sweden with the wonderful Freddy Alexander. There was a lot of ease and comfort working with Freddy, and I felt our creative worlds made a lot of sense together. The recording took place over different time periods with the bulk of the sessions occurring in early 2025. I ended up visiting the city a number of times, in different seasons, and I developed a sweet connection to that place. From slipping on icy roads coming out of winter to warmer blue sky days, it kept things interesting. Things remained quite insular in recording different instruments between the two of us. Freddy did a lot of the heavy lifting, as per his strengths, which I greatly appreciated.
What is your favourite memory from writing and creating the record?
My songs are always heavily attached with feelings and profound moments for me, so it's hard to choose. I do think though that once the songs have expressed themselves and have been written, there is a very light freedom in the sense of creativity that you see in the studio. This lightness and excitement to cement the songs in recorded form became very visceral during the walks to and from the studio each day while I stayed in Stockholm. The place I was staying was a short 15/20-minute walk from the studio, and fortunately enough a beautiful park with an amazing view of the city separated my accommodation and the studio. So, with this beautiful feeling walking to the studio each day, appreciating the nature and the city I was in, it felt uplifting and inspiring. And with it, a sense of achievement and pride as I finished each day, walking home in the dark.
Who/what are your influences/inspirations? (don’t have to be just musical)
I get very inspired by anyone who is trying to make the world a better place. Which I know is very vague and broad, but I love people who exhibit kindness and compassion, and who are themselves in the process. And that falls into many aspects of life. Scientists, spiritualists, artists, activists etc. But I truly feel inspired by people expressing themselves artistically. The sentiment of art being a rebellion, in a sense, I believe holds a powerful and important energy. We are faced with so much suppression in our modern culture and systems, particularly of the human spirit, emotionally and our connectedness to each other and nature. So, anyone who is on a journey of connection to themselves and the world around them, in a meaningful and compassionate way, inspires me to do the same.
What do you love about making music?
The parts of music that I absolutely love, also slightly terrify me (sometimes). I love the sense of freedom and expansion in creativity and songwriting. But with that, of course, comes uncertainty and discipline. I love that I am guided into a world of self-understanding. With music, there are endless possibilities, and you never know what is around the corner.
If you had to summarise the record in one-sentence, what would you say?
We have a lot to share, so take my hand and let's go on a stroll.
Listen to the album: Empty Garden