(Interview) The Hara: "It's important to be vulnerable in our music and art."
- Kirsty Bright
- Apr 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 24
The Hara made quite the impression at Takedown Festival. Taking to the Total Rock Cafe stage, Josh, Zack, and Jack created quite the atmosphere. Consisting of a wall of death, and Zack getting into the crowd, which led to further chaos.
Which is exactly the impression that they aimed to leave on the people attending their set. Fans will of course be used to this energy, but for those newbies? Many surely walked away wondering who they watched and keeping tuned into this trio. Before their set we grabbed a chat with the members to discuss their current album, The Fallout, which spawned now-anthemic tracks like "Trophy". We talked about the upcoming sets, favourite tracks, and what they do to unwind.
You recently released your latest album The Fallout. How was the reaction to it since?
ZACK: It’s been insane. Very, very good.
JOSH: Insatiable. (laughs)
JACK: I would say overwhelming in the best possible way.
Did it come out how you wanted and in a way that represented the band's sound?
JACK: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, we've put in a lot of work and a lot of effort. It was a lot of late nights making sure it all went well.
Roughly, how long does it take to put an album together from early concept to the finished release?
JOSH: Maybe three years?
JACK: Yeah, if we’re going to be brutally honest, probably about three years.
After so long making something, do you still love it in the end?
JOSH: It can be love-hate, but obviously, we love it, but it's definitely been a journey. Just like anything, really, it's a journey, we feel it in every way. But we are very happy with the end result.
A personal favourite is “Easier to Die". When you write tracks like that, at what point do you decide, 'Is this too vulnerable?' Do you scale it back? Would you just scrap it completely?
JACK: That's a good question. Has that conversation ever even happened?
JOSH: Between us? No, not really. I think it's important to be vulnerable in music and art and, you know, when you're expressing emotion, be fucking honest, man. I think that's what it's for, you know, to express yourself.
And listeners can really relate to these sorts of songs. Does it feel surreal when they tell you?
JOSH: Honestly, it’s pretty cool, and I’d also say pretty out-of-body. You know, you forget that other people are feeling what you are.
ZACK: Yeah, it is crazy. It’s cool to see how different people interpret songs as well.
Do you try not to overexplain for those who like to interpret for themselves?
ZACK: Yeah, we never tell people how to feel. We let them do it themselves. Some of them are pretty obvious, though. (laughs)
And from that, when people say how much they resonate, do you feel you have to take on board more responsibility for what your next tracks will sound like? If the words will resonate with listeners or if you're just going to keep going with what works for you guys?
JOSH: For me personally, writing is all about trying not to overthink it; it always just is. I feel like a better outcome happens when you're not overthinking it or trying to make it something too hard if you just let it flow. Almost be a vessel from the universe, as Rick Rimm would say. He says, 'You are the vessel.' I don't know the exact quote. (laughs)
Very philosophical (laughing)
ZACK: You are Vessel from Sleep Token. (laughing)
So, before the set this evening, which song do you find translates really well on stage amongst the audience?
JOSH: Everyone goes crazy for “Easier to Die". We play that towards the beginning of the set, and it always sets the tone. I think it's, you know, the riffs.
ZACK: Yeah, a surprising one for me is I think that 'Psycho Killer' has a cool vibe. We always write songs thinking about how they'll translate live, and that was a much different process. We got the inspiration for that song actually from Muse after we saw them at Rock for People. And playing that live, it's a bit of a different one, but it adds a layer to our cake that is delicious. (laughs)
JACK: I’ve got to give a big shout out to the one that kicked it all off and say "Trophy". You know, that's at the back end of the set. But it's not the last song, but it's just when it hits, it's just that giant boost of energy.
How hard do you want the crowd to go? Any words of encouragement for this evening?
ZACK: Go as hard as possible.
JOSH: I'm actually very quiet. I want to be scared of the crowd. I want to be like, wow, this is unpredictable. People are getting on stage. I want to feel that. I like creating memorable moments when performing.
And you’ve been performing quite a lot lately.
ZACK: Yeah, we've just done our UK tour. It's been crazy.
JOSH: We had a few crowd surfers on tour, which was nice.
ZACK: A few stage invaders as well.
JOSH: We've had mosh pits quite consistently, but it's been quite a new thing, this tour of people just opening it up and getting on stage.
So for tonight and newbies in attendance or catching your new set. What song do you think is the one that they're going to be hooked on, reeled in as a new fan?
ZACK: I think “Trophy” is good from the start, then with "Enemy" and "Easier to Die", basically the whole set. (Laughs) Hopefully they go away and just think, 'Fuck me, my mind has been blown.'
JOSH: Yeah, they'd be all my shit. Well, I think it's out of excitement from that set.
And for those newbies, how would you describe your group in a few words?
ZACK: Quite chaotic.
JACK:Sick.
JOSH: Powerful. A crazy experience.
JACK: Crock it. Because I've got a cream egg in my pocket. (laughing)
JOSH: And that will be kept in please (laughs).
And what song do you think you recommend?
JACK: I would; I would recommend Trophy.
ZACK: 100% Trophy.
JOSH: Yep, same.
With your own tour and the album, this last year must have felt crazy?
ZACK: It’s been mad. We’re headlining our stage tonight.
And that room will be packed in tonight. Do you like playing stages set up like that?
ZACK: We went inside earlier, and it's quite wide, so the wall of death will be cool.
JOSH: Yeah, pack them all in (laughs).
Has there been a moment thus far where you've gone, We've really kind of made it?
JOSH: The fact that we can call this our job is amazing, for real, like, we're a few years in now and we're doing it full-time, and it's great. What a pleasure that is. But we also want to start stadiums, so there is that. That's a big goal for next year.
What's the summer like ahead of the festivals?
JACK: Festival season has begun now, and so this is our first festival of said season. And we have some other stuff that we can't talk too much about. But, you know, I'm giving a little hint, and it is to do with more touring, more gigs, and more writing as well.
Do you enjoy writing?
ZACK: Oh, yeah. It's fun.
Where do you tap into that, and does the success of the last year get factored into the process?
JACK: I think the only thing with writing is you've got to be in the headspace for it. It is difficult to manage that when you've got lots of other stuff going on, and especially whatever you're writing for as well, that can be quite a bit of an awkward thing to process.
Do you get that writer's block, and how do you stop that?
JOSH: Honestly, I think I'm still thinking about it, it is hard, and I also struggle with just chilling, like actually letting myself chill, like I can't do it. So it's difficult.
JACK: I play stressful video games like Elden Ring.
ZACK: Yeah, I completed the Elden Ring for the second time, which is sick. I go fishing, and I go play golf. That's how I wind down.
What's next?
ZACK: New music, hopefully some creeping in towards the end of the year with the shows and the tours and that sort of stuff going on.
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