Now they start with “an acoustic or drum beat or sequence then a vocal. Once we have something exciting [we] take it somewhere more melodic and start focusing on lyrics.” Going around the world “has made things feel more possible. Music is about expressing ourselves. Once we realized that, we wanted to empower people, help them realize that what they do with their lives is important.”
He warmed up to the topic, the words tumbling over themselves as he explained what is obviously an important idea to him: “If you look at things a certain way, we do all appear small — but the small decisions are vital and can change living …” He took a deep breath and sighed. “I can see things are evolving but it gets me down that we live in this democracy and we could be doing so much. I use music to get across what I need to get out.”
Harvey is not worried about the language barrier when touring in Asia. “Look at Curt Cobain — I rarely know what he sings but I understand what he is saying, I feel his pain. Music is beyond words. It’s about a feeling, an energy, [it’s a] sonic language, noises sparking emotions.” He likes to “nick melodies off of birds singing” and said that weirdness is a virtue: “People’s brains won’t change if we continue to do the same things — things that are weird or different is how we evolved from the apes.”
“I’m a very expressive person” he said, “I need to be, or I go inside and get self-destructive.”
Yoga, running, exercise, and playing football keep his energy and spirits high: “Outside of music there is a life — family, girlfriends, home, those things are vital,” he said.
In the short term, he would like to meet a girl and travel a bit: “I made a vow to myself that I’ve got to go and see as much of this planet as I can and soak it up and take it in. Travel makes you meet people who potentially change your life.”
He wants to connect with the audience through music, and allow that to transport them: “Every time I get on stage I want to be able to relax and feel welcome, I don’t want a separation between the band and the audience — I want us all to feel a freedom from worries — people don’t go on stage as themselves, I’m not bothered about looking cool, I want to give people power.”
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