
Red Hot Chili Peppers Pay Tribute to Taylor Hawkins | Jazz Fest 22
Drummer Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins during the band’s set at New Orleans Jazz Festival, after replacing the Foo Fighters headline slot.
Harry Mockett is a 22-year-old, Northampton based musician, who’s grooved filled, contemporary RnB tracks have earned him recognition from BBC Introducing, with the exciting promise of more music on the way.
Hi Harry! Can you please describe your sound for us in exactly 7 words, no more, no less?
Soulful and honest, occasionally a little funky…
2020 has been a strange year for everyone, but there have been good times amongst the band, what would you say your highlight is so far?
A highlight of this year would have to just be the good times making new music and collaborating with friends. I’m so proud of the tracks I’ve made this year and I’m really excited to start releasing them all soon.
Each of the singles you’ve released so far has had a very clever and unique design, who is it that creates these? Do you come up with a concept and go from there?
So the artwork for my first EP and for the singles leading up to it are by Matt Turrell.
And the artwork for my single ‘Thinkin about you’ and my upcoming tracks are by Tyler Luce.
I love graphic art and bold colours, so those guys’ work really stood out to me and made me want to discuss some ideas. I always talk about the concept and put my thoughts forward to begin with, and then they get creative with it. I can’t take any credit because when I see the finished product they always exceed my expectations. I’m really fond of the artwork I’ve got for my tracks so far.
Over the past few years, you’ve spoken very openly on social media about your treatment for a brain tumour, do you think this experience has now had an impact on how you work as a musician, or do you see these are two separate things?
After the brain tumour, I definitely found some comfort in making music. It was one of the things that made me feel normal again after a pretty dramatic year of treatment. I’d say now I work the same as I did before but with a new outlook on everything, and it’s made me realise that I need to spend my time doing what I want to, which is a big motivator for me to create.
" After the brain tumour, I definitely found some comfort in making music."
What was it that inspired you to pursue a career in music? Was there one significant event has it been a growing ambition all your life?
I started playing the guitar and singing when I was about 5/6 years old, and it went from that to playing in bands in my teens, then learning to produce at college which led to me starting a solo project, and it’s gradually evolved into the music I make now. Music has definitely always been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember, I’ve never doubted pursuing it. It’s just part of my DNA now.
Have you got any plans for a new release in the near future?
I have a new track called called ‘Summer’ coming out with my friends George Rose and Lauren Dejey on the 16th of October, and more new music releasing before the end of the year.
Drummer Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins during the band’s set at New Orleans Jazz Festival, after replacing the Foo Fighters headline slot.
Finally, after two years of us all sitting around our computers, watching live streams, desperately trying to recreate that festival feeling, The Great Escape is back and ready to take over Brighton. For 4 days in May, music lovers, industry experts, and artists from all around the world will decent on the seaside town, ready to explore the 30+ walkable venues and discover some incredible new bands.
Today, Abbey Road Studios, the world’s most famous recording studio, announces the inaugural Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2022 in association with Hennessy – the first-ever awards to celebrate the art of music photography.