"some other day we'll wake our world from slumber..."
When you dip your toes gingerly into "Moon Spell" by Toronto born HARKNESS you might feel pushed in between the celluloid surreal film strips of The Wizard of Oz (if it would have been directed by Chilean French surrealist Alejandro Jodorowsky) and Pan's Labyrinth as directed by Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips). Now mind you, Jodorowsky (The Holy Mountain) would of only been 9 years old while directing OZ but I still (STILL) stand by my odd assessment, my whimsical description. Harkness, imbues the tones with 1940's pop orchestration and wild 90's baroque pop illusions. It is a wonderful ride with, a pop fever dream with HARKNESS as the vocalist pulling strings behind the velvet curtain. His vocal aesthetic is shiny and torn at the same time. I think the track ends too abruptly like someone shook you violently from a restless sleep but that is ok, that is ok.
-Robb Donker Curtius
Website: harknessmusic.com
Instagram: @harknessmfa
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgsehCUQHyIW8pyESDtbAUw
"Listening to Harkness I was completely blown away by his grasp of vocal harmony and arranging. His song writing and unique production is some of the best I've heard in years."
- Roger Manning (Beck/Jellyfish/TLQ)
The Harkness sound uses colorful cascading vocal harmonies, electric guitars and a pallet of instruments as diverse as tuba and steel drums, all radiating over upbeat grooves.
Born in Toronto Canada the 2nd in a brood of 5, both of his parents were talented musicians. His father fronted "The Al Harkness Orchestra" a band consisting of horns and winds along with a traditional rhythm section.
Musically speaking he sings, plays guitar, bass, piano and drums and also produces everything himself. He counts Prince and Todd Rundgren, both of whom also worked this way, as major inspirations. Listening to Harkness though, it is more likely that Soft Bulletin era Flaming Lips, Tame Impala and Jellyfish will come to mind.
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