The Hara: Unfiltered, Unchained, and Unapologetically Themselves.

Photo - Cosmic Joke

Living the Fallout

After years of relentless touring, creative evolution, and personal trials, The Hara stand on the brink of a new chapter. With their latest album, “The Fallout,” about to drop, the band sat down for a candid conversation, reflecting on their journey, the rawness of their new work, and the lessons learned from a life lived on the edge of the UK’s alternative rock scene.

The making of “The Fallout” was not a fleeting process. As Josh Taylor revealed, the album was completed nearly two years before its release, a testament to the patience and endurance required in today’s music industry. “We’ve been living in it a long time, but I’m ready for it,” he shared, highlighting the tension between artistic excitement and the realities of release schedules. The band’s extensive touring across the UK and Europe meant they had to hold back new material, resisting the urge to share songs that had already become part of their world.

Stripping Away the Noise: The Pursuit of Authenticity

At the heart of “The Fallout” lies a conscious decision to strip away external expectations. “The biggest thing we stripped away was outside interpretation, outside noise,” said Josh Taylor. The band found themselves in a rare position: able to create without the pressure to fit a genre or chase radio hits. This freedom allowed them to push their sound further, embracing heavier riffs and more intense vocals, a natural progression that mirrored their personal and collective growth.

The process was not without its challenges. The band spoke openly about the difficulty of shutting out industry voices and trusting their instincts. “You hear constantly… this is what the perfect song is, this is how you go viral. But I think it was so important for us not to do that and just trust our own voice,” Zack Breen reflected. This commitment to integrity, even in the face of self-doubt, has become a defining feature of The Hara’s identity.

Vulnerability as Strength: Writing from the Heart

Much of the album’s rawness comes from personal upheaval. “A lot of stuff was going on personally and with the band, and there was a lot of uncertainty, and I think that really fuelled the vulnerability and the rawness of the lyrics,” Josh Taylor explained. For the band, songwriting became a form of therapy, a way to process and make sense of difficult times. “It is like journaling or therapy in a way, it’s out there… usually it makes more sense to me for what was going on at the time,” he added.

Importantly, The Hara leave their lyrics open to interpretation, inviting listeners to find their own meaning in the music. “We always try and write in a way where it can still be interpreted however they personally feel towards the song. Like we’d never tell someone, this is the song, this is what it means and you must, that is how you should see it,” said Josh Taylor.

Surviving the Industry: Trust, Banter, and Brotherhood

The conversation turned to the realities of the music business—a world of dreams sold and lost. The band’s hard-won wisdom was clear: “We’ve been sold a dream and we’ve lost a dream. And it’s happened so many times now… but we kind of just don’t let it get in our head too much,” Josh Taylor admitted. Their advice to newcomers? Judge people by their energy and authenticity, not just promises. “If they’ve got a bit of banter and they can have a laugh… that’s a sign of a genuine person,” he said.

Amidst the ups and downs, the band’s camaraderie has been a source of strength. “Just being mates and trusting each other and keeping the vision,” Jack Kennedy emphasised. The band likened their journey to playing the lottery every day—never knowing when a breakthrough might come, but always showing up, together.

The Live Experience: Old Favourites and New Anthems

With album launch shows in Manchester and London, and a tour stretching through February and March, The Hara are eager to bring “The Fallout” to life on stage. Fans can expect a mix of the new album in its entirety and classic crowd-pleasers. “Everything you just said in one, full album plus a load more songs,” promised Josh Taylor. The band’s commitment to delivering an unforgettable live experience remains undimmed, even as they continue to refine their setlist right up to the last minute.

Collaboration and Connection

One of the album’s standout moments is the collaboration with Beth from As December Falls on the track “Violence.” The idea was born from a desire to capture both sides of a toxic relationship, and the resulting duet has become one of the album’s most successful singles. “Her vocal with my vocal I think worked really well and to do it live in Manchester with Beth on the tour as well was such a… yeah, man, it worked out really well,” with a smile said Josh Taylor

The Fallout and Beyond

As The Hara prepare to unleash “The Fallout” on the world, they do so with a sense of hard-earned confidence and authenticity. Their journey has been marked by resilience, self-discovery, and an unwavering commitment to their craft. For The Hara, 'The Fallout is not an ending, but a new beginning, forged in honesty, friendship, and the unbreakable power of music

'The Fallout' is released on 23rd January via Mascot Records. For more details on The Hara and their upcoming tour, click the links below and stay connected!

INSTAGRAM - FACEBOOK - TIKTOK - YOUTUBE

Article by Steve Harrison