“Harley Alexander (he/his for now) has been making lo-fi indie pop across Canada for the past decade, alongside artists such as Charlotte Day Wilson, Hovvdy, Boyscott, Mauno, Walrus, and Kurt Inder. His earnest and tongue-in-cheek musicianship have seen him through 24 bandcamp releases, a playlist spot on Degrassi the next generation, and even playing a show with Bill Nye the Science Guy. 

Since his last release on Sports Day Records, Harley has been busy being a profound loner, deep diving into childhood trauma, exploring his gender, freaking the heck out while trying to figure out how to keep existing, planting a couple hundred thousand trees, and self-releasing his prolific backlogs of demos onto bandcamp. 

Touching on the concepts of being brave and letting your heart reopen to love, “Love Language” is the first of two singles off his upcoming album I’m Feeling Things. 

“Water me up with love. Water up my soil.” sings Alexander in the first single, “Love Language.” His words carrying more weight than their deceptive simplicity would let on. Comparing love and mutual care to tending to even the most simple life-forms, Alexander finds profundity in all matter that makes up the universe we inhabit. “Stars and bones and colors… Colors, taste, smells, and feels. Fills me up with love.” he croons, explaining how his mode of understanding and communication are based in the wonder and ripples of the cosmos. 

The EP came during a period in Harland’s life during which, similar to the album cover, he was peering over the edge of his 20’s: not quite fully underwater, but still holding on for dear life and trying to make sense of the world. 

Growing up in Ottawa, Alexander started playing music at 13. His first instrument was an acoustic guitar with nylon strings, learning Metallica covers while taking lessons at the Ottawa Folklore Center. His high school band, Boo Radley, (later renamed Emperor Bulash), thrived in their small MySpace ecosystem. His brother made bootleg copies and circulated them to friends. More than 7 years later, Emperor Bulash’s “indie rock opus” is set to be released sometime soon… so keep an eye out! 

Much of Alexander’s adult life has been based around the Canadian rite-of-passage, tree planting. Referred to as one of the “world’s toughest jobs” by BBC, Harland says it was an “otherworldly experience. It’s like you go into another universe with different laws—a world that is completely detached from the world I’m used to. You really get a chance to learn a lot about your body and yourself, and how you adapt. You’re stuck with yourself for a long ass time. Alone in the forest. You get to experience the seasons change, day-by-day. Extremely free.”

His occupation goes hand in hand with his general philosophy on life: Seeking truth and joy, but above all, acceptance. Harley’s main goal is to feel at peace with what is going on and to cultivate an environment like that for others. 

“I really believe in humanity and the goodness of people and of life, although there’s lots in our culture that make it hard for people to be okay, to feel love and connectedness. Powers that be—imperialism, capitalism, all these shitty isms—make it really hard for people to be themselves, or have feelings, voices, and experiences. It’s hard to just stand in the truth of your life and what you’ve been through, without being supported, without safe witnesses.” he says. 

Harland believes in the power of vulnerability and community support, stating that “Horrible things are inevitable in this life but if, when this happens, the wounded are taken in and given the space to feel, grieve, be cared for and validated—we can minimize and possibly even avoid long-term traumatic affects.. You can never protect everyone from bad things, but if we can figure out how to have a society free from denial where people are actually taken care of when they’re hurt, physically and emotionally by their family, friends, and community— we’d have a much more safe and nourishing society. Everyone deserves to have their truth witnessed and honoured. 

“I’m gonna be available if you need someone who loves you. 

Who loves you and accepts you exactly as you are. 

Not some projection of what I think you should be”

Throughout “Love Language”, Alexander reckons with containing love for the present—as it is embodied in a person, their surroundings, and himself. This theme runs through I’m Feeling Things, as Harley seeks to metabolize love, friendship, and identity. His signature nonchalance and heart-on-sleeve emotionality take form as music that nurtures individuality and freedom. His earnest love songs are a nourishing glass of heart hydration. 

I’m Feeling Things highlights Alexander’s signature groovy vocal harmonies and dialed in smooth guitar tones, while the warm and spacious arrangements give room for idiosyncratic lyricism. By giving voice to these depressive thoughts, Harley, at least temporarily, disarms them. Even with his ability to write with such clarity, he says he’s not always well-equipped to share his feelings, instead hiding away and suffering in the shadows alone. These songs are a way to turn Alexander’s emotions into a shared experience—turning his pain outward so he is no longer alone.

The EP is deeply rooted in Alexander’s meditations on existence and his all-encompassing belief in universal love. Despite the pain in his voice, there comes a resolve to find joy. In the past few years, Alexander has been learning to be more balanced, learning to express anger in healthy ways, reckoning with his family of origin, re-imagining what life could be, confronting perfectionism, waking up his kidneys, and hitting that therapy hard. 

The record was recorded/self-produced by Alexander himself. Recorded in Halifax NS at Golden Palm Studio. Additionally recorded at The Beedell Family Household and Jane’s house in Ottawa. Featuring contributions from Estan Beedell, Blair Cote, and Campbell Bing Bong.

Harland Alexander’s EP, I’m Feeling Things, will be released on August 15, 2020 via Oof Records.