Harry Carman

          Originally from Canberra, Australia and now based in Melbourne, solo artist Harry Carman brings his special brand of smooth, folk-esque acoustic music and pairs it perfectly with his relaxed, somber voice.  Having used music as an outlet for his creative energy in school, Carman has now started recording with the goal of creating a continuous musical story through several EPs.  His often relatable lyrics and simple production make his music truly unique and engage the audience in a meaningful way.  This is greatly reflected in his first release, a preliminary EP entitled Midnight Melodies, although it's merely a prelude to his upcoming EP trilogy.

         

The Cover Of Carman's Debut EP, Midnight Melodies

          One of the standout tracks in Midnight Melodies is "Woman Of The Night", with it's almost Weezer-esque intro and jazzy acoustic chords.  A mixture of rhythm breaks and string-slaps adds to the aesthetic and makes the song sound whole, while still maintaining its minimalist "singer-songwriter-only" vibe.  Carman's voice sprawls above the instrumental, beginning in a mellow tone, and building up to the chorus (although never totally overshadowing the generally softer feel of the track) where, in an almost-pleading manner asks "Where did you go, where did you go?...I need to know, I need to know..."  Accents on certain phrases and deep emotion help to convey the story contained within his words.  Overall, Carman's relatable lyrics and genuine voice create an air of mystery and truth on this track.

Harry Carman Live

          The final track on the EP (Midnight Melodies), "Dawn" brings a mixture of the same rhythmic variation and smooth, acoustic alternative-folk, but with a more rock-like atmosphere.  Quick licks and a simple chord progression begin the song as Carman's voice comes in.  He plainly puts it "Your condition seems to match the definition of a lonely soul..." as chords ring out.  The strumming intensifies as he heads into the chorus and asks "Can you make it to the morning?"  The passion that is present in his vocals is especially prevalent in this song, paired perfectly with his solemn, yet hopeful lyrics.  As he covers the topic of regret through the figurative scenario of waiting for morning to come, his voice becomes ever more urgent and projects an air of authority, as if he himself has been in the situation that's being sung about.  The track winds down to a slowed series of chords and ends on a high note, with the lyrics still being interpreted in the listener's mind.

          Harry Carman makes the sort of music that he describes "...are best to listen to in that awkward hour of the night when you have so many things running through your head you just can't sleep."  His soulful and sometimes a little bit haunting voice over a simple acoustic instrumental, together with meaningful lyrics, creates a strong aesthetic that I believe relates to a large audience.  The first major EP in the planned trilogy is due to be out this coming August and features a full band.  As we look forward to hearing that later this year, I would highly recommend you check out Midnight Melodies on his BandCamp page and head on over to his Facebook to stay updated on his music.

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