Saturday, October 3, 2015

Harley Poe Fallen Down: New Album October 13th 2015

A couple months ago I began recording some songs on my cell phone. Just me, my guitar, and occasionally my harmonica, just like the old days when I had first begun playing shows as Harley Poe; even before the days my lovable, Chilean friend Cristian began banging on the skins to help fill out my music. I knew I just wanted to get back to a stripped down sound in the vein of Dean Gitter and other solo folk artists.
During the time I began recording these songs, my life was becoming unhinged. I look back on Harley Poe's beginnings as a fun, horror themed acoustic punk band, and I see how negative it has become. My later songs haven't been so much about monsters, but more about my perversions and hatred towards myself, which ultimately was effecting my view on the world around me. This self loathing and self importance was taking its toll on my family and friends. I see now my life has been becoming unhinged for probably about the last three years, but its beginnings were years before that. This has cost me my world and the goals I thought were so important in my life. This is one reason I must take time away from my band. This was actually something I've tried to do for a couple years at least, but shows kept coming up, crowds kept building, and the idea of leaving some kind of legacy before I flickered out of this world for good was enticing. Now I know that that stuff doesn't matter. I'm also aware that there is no just flickering out. I need to re-evaluate my life and to what and whom I'm giving it.
This new album represents this unhinging and the brokenness it has caused. I recorded these songs alone for several reasons: I've always loved the sound of just vocals and an acoustic guitar, and I thought it would be cool to record an album through my cell phone. I liked the sound of the demos I've made through my phone, so why not record a full length concept record this way. But I mostly went at this one alone because of how personal and lonely these songs are to me.
This record will be released digitally by way of cdbaby in just ten days on October 13th. It reflects the way I've felt about myself and mankind, not just lately, but for quite some time. Certain songs reveal my revelry in this anger and disgust that I've had towards creation, but ultimately it ends with fear, remorse, and lonely regret.
I'd say I hope the fans enjoy these songs, but I mostly just want listeners to know that darkness does consume. It drowns you. It suffocates. It kills love.

15 comments:

  1. Awesome man! Me and a bunch of my friends are really exited to hear this. btw, you need to have another all ages show around Indy. I saw you last year at the Hoosier Dome and it was fantastic! I'd love to bring my friends next time you're around

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  2. Sounds like you put a lot of thought and work into this. Can't wait to hear it. Been a big fan since your Calibretto 13 days. Always liked your sound. Much love

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  3. Trying too hard to please others always leads to lousy art. Be well, keep making music, (if you feel like it)

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  4. I stumbled upon your music a month or so ago, and I couldn't be more thankful. Both the earliest albums and now Fallen Down have captivated and owned my musical life ever since. I can't express how much I love your sound- band or solo.
    Ashes or Bones and Burden are currently my favorites, but there isn't a single track I dislike.
    I'm really glad that you're taking the time to take care of you, and sort out what needs to be. I treasure your art, but your greater life outside of the band is more important.
    Ether way, sorry for the really chopped up comment, I can really feel and see the work and feelings that went into this newest album, and all the ones before.
    Amazing work, as always, and I hope you keep taking care of yourself. Darkness does indeed consume, and I hope you can exorcise some of the worst of those demons soon. Keep your head above water, and remember how amazing and talented you are.

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  6. You're a wonderful person. Your art, in whatever medium, is inspirational and I'm so grateful to have had the chance to peer inside the mind of such a talent. Thank you, truly, for sharing anything. I hope you find solace in self-reflection and in the time you take to focus on what matters the most. Looking forward to one last (HP) hurrah at The Melody this weekend. -M

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  7. Listened yesterday. It actually made me worried for you. I hope the art helps. I hope you're also getting help in other places. I don't think one can get out of a place that dark alone. Take care of yourself.

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  8. Sorry to hear about your struggles. I hope getting it out in a musical format is somewhat...cathartic. We're with you buddy. Time for yourself may be the answer indeed.

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  9. Thank you, Joe... for merely existing, and for providing essence to my very being through song

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  10. I cried when I first listened to this album because of how much it related to me. It speaks what most people can't even admit. The rawness of it is what makes it a trueform of art.

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  11. First i wanna say i love you guys and your lyrics n music as a hole has made my worst days the best day ever and my life in general my son knows almost al your songs he kills me when he does quija well i wanna thank you my friend for the greatest music ever and no matter your music will live on thank you so much for the time you took out of your personal life to spend it with us your fans i will always be greatful for it hope things get better man good luck and godspeed man

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  12. Hey Joe - I came back to this blog post now that it's starting to feel like fall out. I listen to you/Harley Poe year-round, but it's always one of my favorite fall traditions to put your music back into heavier rotation in my listening. I just wanted to say that I miss you guys a ton, and I'm super bummed that you're on hold for now, but I totally respect your decision to make a shift here. I hope that someday you'll be able to come back and make some great music for us again, but I'd rather you be content than miserable and making music that contributes to that.

    In the meantime, the I didn't know about Dean Gitter. Thanks for the heads up there - adding his music to my library now.

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  14. I think it's safe to say the legacy Harley Poe built is pretty much set in stone. Don't worry, you've made your mark quite well! Can't wait to hear more news about you or the band!

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