THE INDIE POST MAGAZINE
"Unifying celebrities and independent artists on one platform, The Indie Post Magazine!"
Incredibly Talented Canadian Country Music Star Brian John Harwood Is Releasing One Heartfelt Single After The Other!
INTERVIEW BY: GINA SEDMAN, WRITER/JOURNALIST & HEAD EDITOR
Brian John Harwood's journey in country music is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication. Hailing from Innisfil, Ontario, Brian first gained recognition with Kansas Stone, a band whose hit "Blaze of Nothing" earned a 2019 CMA Ontario Awards nomination. His solo career has been equally successful, with tracks like "Make You Mine" and "Savin' Up For A Friday" showcasing his versatility and skill. Collaborations with notable artists such as Clayton Bellamy and Jason McCoy have further solidified his industry position.
Throughout his musical career, Brian has performed alongside some of the most prominent figures in country music, such as Dallas Smith, Brett Kissel, Brothers Osborne, and The Road Hammers. As a songwriter, he has collaborated with seasoned professionals like Steve McEwan, Patricia Conroy, Dave "Dwave" Thomson, and Phil Barton, contributing to successful songs for artists including Alli Walker and Owen Barney. Brian has also opened for country music artists such as Josh Ross and Keith Urban. Additionally, he has performed at various prominent festivals with audiences of up to 50,000 people.
Brian's songwriting has attracted collaborations with top artists, and his music has garnered over 4 million streams and charted internationally. Beyond music, he enjoys boating, as featured in "Canadian Yachting Magazine." His recent releases, including "Peace, Love and Whiskey," produced by Dustin Bird, and the hit single "Made Good," dedicated to his wife, further solidify his place in the country music scene. I had the opportunity to interview this fantastic vocalist, and here's what he shared with me.
Hi, Brian. How are you? I'm fine, thank you.
Well, it is such an honor to speak with you. I love your voice, so it is a true honor to interview such an amazing and talented artist as yourself. Thank you for your time. Oh, thank you very much.
You're welcome. I'm excited for our readers to learn more about you and your music, so let's dive in. Perfect.
Awesome. Brian, where are you from and where are you currently living? So, I was born and raised in Southern Ontario, and I grew up in Barrie, Ontario. A lot of people know it as Muskoka. It's a country town with a lot of forest and back roads. Basically, I grew up in a small town, but it was great.
I still have a house there, and I'm even raising my twin daughters there, and I love it. We're trying to build our dream house on a bit of property away from everybody.
That's amazing! So, are you currently in Ontario, Canada? Yes, it's about an hour and a half north of Toronto.
All right, I went to Vancouver, and I loved it. I've been all over Canada except Vancouver. I played one of my very first shows in BC, and I'll be opening for Keith Urban this month in Vancouver as well. It should be fun.
You'll love Vancouver. It's such a cool town. So, tell me, what is your earliest memory of falling in love with music, and what was it about music that drew you into it? I have an older brother, Joe, and I looked up to him and still do. He and my dad are my heroes, the idols I looked up to. I remember when I was young, I watched him playing guitar.
He started off playing guitar but then also played drums in a band, and I'd always watch him. I was a shy and quiet kid, but I just remember these guitars lying around the house, so one day, I grabbed one of my brother Joe's guitars. I think I was 11 years old, and I brought it into my room. The first song I ever learned was "Hysteria" by Def Leppard.
I've never had any guitar, vocal, or any lessons; I just kind of taught myself. Again, I was a shy kid, and I put all my time into being in my room and learning how to play the guitar instead of causing trouble.
Awesome. You know, Brian, it's funny because when I hear a musician say, "Oh, I just picked it up and started playing," I'm like, "What?" I'm teaching myself how to play bass, but I can only play by reading music. I can write a song using the bass, but if I hear a song on the radio, I can't tell you what key it's in or how to play the bass line unless I have the notes in front of me. I wish I were naturally gifted in playing instruments like you guys. Well, I never learned how to read music, and I still can't read music today. But you know, if I have my guitar in my hand and I hear something, I can play it automatically just by ear.
Awesome. So, Brian, as a country music artist, who was your biggest influence in country music, and how would you say they've shaped your sound? I think my sound comes from a variety of things. As a young kid, I can thank my mom for that. I love my mom. She got me into country music when I was a little kid. She exposed me to artists like Alan Jackson, Alabama, Garth Brooks, and all that stuff.
You know, Alan Jackson and I share the same birthday, October 17th. How cool is that! Really? Wow. OK. Yeah, but she used to play those artists when we were driving in the car. Then, as I grew older, I started getting into more stuff because of my brother and my uncle. They listened to Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, and even some Michael Jackson, so my listening ear for different styles of music expanded. Then, I was in a touring rock band for almost nine years.
I even played some metal. My brother was in a metal band, and we got to tour the UK and the States and stuff like that, but I think I never lost that country that was inside me. Garth Brooks was one of my all-time favorites. Then, one day, I took my mom out on a date to a Dean Brody concert, and I just kind of fell in love with it. Although I was still in the rock band at the time, I started writing more country stuff. The more I did it and fell back into my roots of who I really was, the more the countryside came out of me.
What I love about it most is the storytelling. So yeah, I kind of went all over the map from rock to metal, and you know what? I can still hear some of that '80s rock influence or some of my pop influences from listening to Michael Jackson in my country stuff.
I'm thankful for that because I find that with music if you just listen to one thing, you create something that's already there. But if you add all your influences and your journey and make it true to yourself, you get a unique sound, right?
Absolutely. I agree with you. Let's talk about your songwriting process. Do you start with lyrics or melody first? That one's hard because melody is everything for me. Sometimes, I'll have good lyrics, but with that lyric, I need a melody. Some of my friends joke around and call me "Melody Maker." It's because, to me, it's all about that chorus. I love singing it and getting it caught in my head where it could put a smile on your face. You don't even need to be hearing it; it just pops into your head. So, the melody is definitely the most important thing for me.
If you've listened to all my songs, you'd find that I like to be very truthful with my life and, who I am and little pieces of my life. That's why I have songs about my dad, my dogs, my wife, and my twin girls. But to answer your question, I'm going to say the melody is where I start.
When I create a song, I want to create something catchy, something that I would listen to. So, as soon as I find that melody, I'm like, "OK, let's go."
Yeah, absolutely. It's almost like when you hear the melody, it almost tells you what that song is about. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, exactly. Melody is so important because you could play the same four chords, but you can come up with 10,000 different melodies to that. So, it's just about finding that one that relates to you and harmonizes with who you are. When you hear it, it sticks out, and you know that it's the one.
Yeah, absolutely. Have you ever started writing a song and then realized that it sounds just like a song you've heard before? (laughs) Oh yeah, definitely. It's happened in the past once or twice. And it's not so much that I remember, but it's when I play it for somebody, and then they say, "Oh, you know what that sounds like?" And then they show me. Then I'm like, "Oh, no!" (Laughs)
That's funny! Yeah, then you just crumple the paper and throw it in the garbage. Then, I start from scratch.
Yeah, absolutely. Do you still write your lyrics on paper, or are you totally into writing on the computer? I write my lyrics in multiple ways. I still write lyrics using a pen when I'm alone, and when I'm in Nashville, it's very fast-paced, so I'm either on my MacBook or my phone. But I kind of do both. When I'm at home, I have a pad of paper and a pen. It's a lot of scribbles and crumpled-up paper.
Absolutely! I have a burning question for you. I know I was planning to ask it later, but I just can't wait. Have you ever noticed how artists, when they travel the world, tend to infuse the local culture into their music? It's fascinating how they adapt their sound or drumming style to match the vibe of the country they're in. For example, in Spain, they might add a unique twist, or in Jamaica, a hint of reggae. Have you ever felt inspired to incorporate elements of different cultures into your music while traveling? Just to connect with the locals and show appreciation for their traditions? It's definitely something I would do. I think the thing with my music is that it is so diverse. I toured Jamaica and got to play in seven different little cities there, and there were nice full crowds, and they loved it.
If you listen to some of my songs, like "Hotter Than Summer," you'll hear that they have a bit of a reggae beat in them. Because I love traveling, I feel those influences are already incorporated into my music. So, I find it easy when I do travel to relate with different crowds of people.
This has happened many times, but I'm also one that if I'm traveling and there is a local artist there, I'll call somebody right up on stage without them being forewarned, and I'll get the band involved because I love hearing and working with other artists. I love hearing other people's take on music and what makes them happy.
Wow, that's amazing! It's truly stunning. Let's circle back and discuss the obstacles you faced while pursuing your career independently. What were some of the biggest challenges you've come across so far? This is a very industry-driven world with only so many opportunities. It almost seems like those opportunities are already set aside for friends in the industry. So, it's hard being independent and finding those little chances, but they do exist, and I'm thankful for them.
For instance, I'm playing at a lot of big festivals this summer, some with audiences of up to 50,000 people. Often, those spots are reserved for people with big booking agencies or record labels. But you just have to work your butt off to show them that you're worthy and that you have something to offer. They might say no as many times as they want, but as long as you keep pushing, believe in yourself, and keep moving forward, you'll find a way through the cracks somehow.
Absolutely! That's solid advice. I often remind myself that when things don't unfold as I wish, there's a greater plan at play. I think, "Well, if it's meant to be, it will happen." And if it doesn't, then perhaps it's for the best. I believe that the LORD has a way of guiding us, and if a door doesn't open, maybe it's because there's something better out there for me. I've come to realize this over time. As parents, we often face similar situations with our kids. They might ask for things that leave us scratching our heads, and we have to say no, even if it frustrates them. We know that our decisions are rooted in love, aiming to protect them from potential pitfalls. I see this as a reflection of how God looks out for us, too. Oh, definitely. I'm not there yet with the kids. My twin girls are 2 1/2, so they're just starting, and I'm so lucky to be able to take them on the road with me and travel.
We went to Costa Rica, and we've been to the States many times, to places like Florida and Nashville. I like bringing them out so they can see what Daddy does. I've been bringing them on stage because they're little rock stars. On my Instagram, there's a video of them singing and drumming guitars. But the hard questions haven't come yet.
The most I get from them right now is, "Daddy, you play La, La, La," or "How was your day, Dad?" and I'll tell them, "My day was fantastic!"
Oh, that's awesome! How adorable! What a great dad you are! Thank you. I'm in the best stage right now. I love being a father. It's the best thing I've ever done.
How wonderful! I love that! Brian, I'd love to discuss your song with you. I listened to it, and I have to say, it truly resonated with me. I lost my dad some time ago, and I was a “daddy's girl,” so that song struck a deep chord within me. Could you share what inspired you to write it? Yeah, my dad was going in for double bypass heart surgery, and my dad is like my best friend. The chorus of the song is pretty much our conversation before he drove out of the driveway. I wrote that song in probably 15 minutes.
I'm tearing up just talking about it. But I'm thankful that I still have my father. He, my mom, and my brother are my biggest supporters; they always have been. My dad is my hero, and I wrote the song just in case something happened to him. I mean, I know one day something will happen, so I was just in that mindset. For about four years, I didn't do anything with it.
Then I decided to release it because I love the song, and I wanted my dad in the music video with me so I could remember and have something to look back on.
Honestly, it was one of the greatest things I did for myself because I was so apprehensive about releasing it for four years. But when I did, I got messages from all over the world from people who had lost their fathers. They told me how the song touched their lives and helped them through their loss.
So, if I can do that with the songs I wrote, it confirms that I'm on the right path and doing the right thing.
Incredible! It truly resonated with me, and I believe that country music songwriters are among the finest in the industry. Their work feels so genuine and authentic, capturing the essence of life itself. I often share with others that the music I truly connect with is the kind that conveys a message, something that speaks directly to the listener. When you sing or write, it’s essential to infuse your words with meaning that fosters a connection. That connection is what inspires people to support your music and invest in you as an artist, especially when they recognize that your lyrics reflect their own experiences and the realities of everyday life.
Yeah, and that's what drove me back to country music. I love how country music is so honest. Writing country music is mainly about telling a story and being meaningful. Absolutely.
Now, you recently opened for Josh Ross. Is that correct?
Yes.
Can you tell me about that experience and the Keith Urban opportunity? Sure! The Josh Ross show was a sold-out event at Kee to Bala, and it was so much fun. The great thing about it was that Josh Ross is a huge star now. If you rewind five years, he was a fan of the band I had at the time. I would call him up on stage before he released any music.
I used to call him up on stage, and we'd do songs together. Fast forward, and now he's a big, signed American artist touring the world, selling out shows, and here I am opening for him. It was good to see my buddy again. It was great!
That sounds cool! I've got a big summer lineup this year. I'm playing at The Boots and Hearts Music Festival, where I'll be performing alongside Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, and Carly Pearce. I'll also be heading out to BC for the Sunfest Country Music Festival, where I'll be sharing the stage with Keith Urban, Lee Brice, and other well-known country artists. It's definitely a busy summer. It seems like every weekend, I'm somewhere, which is great!
Awesome. And like I mentioned earlier, I love to travel, so it's better to be busy than bored, right?
That's right. When I lived in the Coachella Valley, we had The Stagecoach Festival. Do you have any plans to be a part of that festival in the future? I feel like you'd make an excellent headliner. Wow, performing at Stagecoach is a dream of mine. In fact, Josh Ross just played there last year, and it's one of the festivals I pray to be at in the next year or two.
Yeah, I hope to see you there. There's also a big festival in the UK where I want to play, so I'm working on that. And there's one in Spain I'd love to be a part of at some point as well. The good thing is that my fan base has grown in the UK, Spain, and the States. I even got a Top 40 on an Australian radio station. Things are happening, and I can't wait. Stagecoach looks like one of the best country festivals, and I'm eager to be a part of it.
I'm so proud of you, and I have no doubt you'll be there soon. Can you tell me about any collaborative projects you've done and any that you're planning for the future?
I'm definitely a collaboration guy. There's a big band in Canada called The Road Hammers. I've written many songs with them and released one with Jason McCoy called "Saving Up For a Friday," which is one of my bigger songs on Spotify.
I also did a song called "Rich" with Alli Walker, which just got signed to an American label out in Nashville. I love to collaborate. I just did a song with Jason Blaine, who is a big country artist here. I've also been reaching out to country artists in the UK and Australia.
I enjoy mixing styles to come up with something original and different. That's the only way to grow—stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new.
I just finished recording a brand new song that has two features. One of them is a hip-hop artist. I'm so excited to release it in late August because it's something totally different.
Absolutely! So, let's talk about some of your new music. What are you working on for the future, and what current releases do you have out now? I just released a song called "Made Good" that I wrote for my wife. I'm gearing up to release more music soon—maybe in August since my birthday is in August. I'm planning on putting out a 28-song album, which will be my very first album with everything I've done so far on it. Then, in the fall, I'll start releasing new music for a second 28-song album. My goal is to keep putting music out there and not let the momentum fade. People are loving my music right now, so I just want to get as much out there as possible.
Absolutely, and we're rooting for you to get that Country Music Award in the future. You deserve it because you're amazing! I love your music and your voice! Now, Brian, I saw you on the red carpet recently. Can you tell me about that? Thank you! Yes, the awards were great! I love seeing all the new and upcoming artists and shaking hands with industry people. It's almost like a family or high school reunion. You get to dress up, share stories, and say "hi" to some faces you haven't seen in a while.
Although my daughters didn't come this year, they usually walk the red carpet with me, and I get to dress them up. They love posing for the cameras and everything. They're only 2 1/2, but you'd swear they're five. I love having them there; it's so much fun.
That's awesome! So, Brian, I've noticed you have a lot of tattoos. Which one of your tattoos has the most meaning behind it? My whole left arm tells the story of me overcoming my shyness. I almost lost my hand in a steel mill when I was 22 years old.
Back then, I was too shy to talk to girls or play music in front of anyone. I learned music when I was 11, but I couldn't even play in front of my own parents because I was so shy and quiet.
When I almost lost my hand and started my first band, it opened my eyes to start living. My left arm is a reminder for me to live my life—to get out there and go after what I want. Sometimes, if I'm on the fence about doing something, I look down at my arm, and it reminds me to go out and get it and not let anything stop me.
That's beautiful. OK, now can you tell everyone where they can keep up with your career and where your music can be purchased? And are you planning to release your music on vinyl? Yes, I am. It's going to be a double 28-song album, and it will be on vinyl. As of now, I have a brand-new website launching soon.
My music is available on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, iTunes—you name it. I'm on every online store where you can find music. I'd tell people to search for me online—just type in Brian John Harwood, and you'll find me.
Awesome! Lastly, what words of wisdom would you give to up-and-coming artists who are still trying to figure it out? What would you say to inspire and encourage them? I'd say don't give up. Be yourself, and don't chase something that's already out there. There's already someone else doing that, so be unique. You don't learn anything from success—you learn from failure. So, keep going, give it all you've got, and use everything you've learned as fuel to keep pushing until you get there.
That's so beautiful, Brian. Once again, it has been such an honor to interview you. You're an amazing guy with a beautiful heart and a wonderful career. My prayer for you is that God will continue to bless you, bless the work of your hands, and guide you according to His will. May the Lord protect you and your beautiful children, keep you safe, and bring wonderful, well-meaning people into your life who will support and encourage you. I'm so proud of every achievement you've made, and I'm rooting for you. If you come down to the UK, don't forget about me—let me know so I can come and support you! 100%! That is probably the best thing I've ever heard. You're the kindest person I've talked to in a long, long time. Thank you so much.
Thank you. OK. All right. Signing off. Bye.
OK. Bye-bye.
Photo Credits: All photos of Brian J. Harwood are a courtesy of Brian J. Harwood
Graphic Arts Credits: All graphic art within and on the cover of The Indie Post Magazine are by: Gina Sedman excluding the actual photos of the artist
Disclaimer: The words of inspiration posted by The Indie Post, written within ( The New American Standard Version Bible Verse) are not the words of the above interviewed.
"John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him."
"Romans 10:9-13 9 [f]that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, [g]resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [h]resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE [i]PUT TO SHAME.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13for “EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”