A Chat with Harlow Reign (23.07.26)
With soothing, honey-soaked ballads and vintage alt-rock power, singer-songwriter Harlow Reign uses intimate, powerful music to breathe life into honest narratives, poetic lyricism and that place where you feel understood entirely. We speak to the Australian powerhouse about what music means to her, her self-titled EP, inspiration and much more.
OSR: Rather cliché, but what drew you to music? How did Harlow Reign the musician come about?
Harlow Reign: I’ve been on stage since I was three years old, so performing has always been a part of who I am. When I was 11, I decided I wanted to learn the drums. My parents weren’t too keen on that idea, but they offered me singing lessons instead, and that unexpected decision became the beginning of Harlow Reign’s journey.
For years, I thought I’d end up as a cover band singer. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but deep down I knew I wanted to create music that was truly my own. Finding the confidence to share my stories through original songs took time, and I spent years building the courage to let people hear that side of me. Everything changed when I was approached by a producer in Melbourne who believed in my vision. Together, we brought that vision to life, and that’s when Harlow Reign was born.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Harlow Reign: Music has always been my safe place. It’s where I can escape the noise of the world, process my emotions, and express the things I sometimes struggle to put into words. Through music, I’ve found healing, strength, and the freedom to be completely myself. It’s more than just something I do; it’s a part of who I am.
OSR: You recently released your self-titled debut EP. What can you tell us about it? Is there a particular backstory or theme?
Harlow Reign: My self-titled debut EP is a collection of songs that tell my story. Every track is deeply personal and reflects different moments in my life, from heartbreak and self-doubt to resilience, growth, and finding my voice. Rather than following one specific theme, the EP is about embracing every chapter of the journey, even the difficult ones, because they’ve all shaped who I am today.
Naming the EP Harlow Reign felt right because it marks the beginning of this new chapter. For so long, I kept these stories to myself, and releasing them into the world was both exciting and incredibly vulnerable. My hope is that listeners hear a piece of themselves in the music and know they’re not alone in what they’re feeling.
OSR: Harlow Reign is your debut EP, but you have released several singles over the past couple of years. What was it like recording and producing an EP as compared to a single? Were there particular challenges you had to deal with? Also, which do you prefer recording – EPs or singles – and why?
Harlow Reign: The songs on my debut EP weren’t originally written with an EP in mind. Each one was created as its own story, at different points in my life. When it came time to put the project together, these tracks just naturally fit. Together, they represent the sound, emotion, and artist I wanted to introduce to the world as Harlow Reign.
I actually love the recording process more than performing. There’s something incredibly special about creating a song from nothing. Watching an idea evolve from a simple lyric or melody into a fully produced track is an emotional and rewarding journey, and it’s one of my favourite parts of being an artist.
The biggest challenge was that I had four songs ready to go but needed one more to complete the EP. ‘Save Me Now’ became that final piece, but getting there wasn’t easy. I battled weeks of writer’s block and just couldn’t seem to finish it. Then, one night at around 2 a.m., I woke up with the chorus playing in my head. I quietly snuck out of bed, crept into my home studio, and recorded the idea before I forgot it. I knew if I went back to sleep, it would be gone by morning. Once I had that chorus, the rest of the song unfolded naturally.
Although I loved creating the EP, I still prefer releasing singles. Recording one song at a time allows me to pour all of my creativity and attention into that track, giving it the space to grow and evolve without distraction. Every song deserves its own moment, and I love being able to fully immerse myself in that creative process.
OSR: Which do you find more challenging: melody or lyrics?
Harlow Reign: Definitely melody. I don’t play any instruments, so I have to rely on producers and musicians to help bring the ideas I hear in my head to life. I’ll often have a beat, rhythm, or melody playing in my mind, but translating that into something someone else can understand can be a challenge. Sometimes it’s a lot of humming, voice notes, and trying to explain the feeling I’m chasing until it finally clicks.
Lyrics, on the other hand, come much more naturally to me. Writing has always been my way of processing emotions and telling stories, so once the melody is there, the words tend to flow. For me, the magic happens when the melody and lyrics come together to create something that genuinely connects with people.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your EP, and what do you take from it?
Harlow Reign: I hope people find a piece of themselves in these songs. Every track comes from a real place, and if someone listens and feels understood, comforted, or inspired to keep going, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do. Music has always helped me through different seasons of my life, so if my songs can do that for someone else, that’s incredibly rewarding.
For me, this EP represents courage. It’s the moment I stopped hiding behind fear and finally shared my own stories with the world. It reminds me how much I’ve grown not just as an artist, but as a person. Releasing it was vulnerable, but it also gave me the confidence to believe in myself and continue creating music that’s honest, authentic, and true to who I am.
OSR: Do you feel Harlow Reign is a true representation of yourself at the moment, both as a musician and individual?
Harlow Reign: Harlow Reign isn’t a character I created; it’s simply an extension of who I am. The music I write, the stories I tell, and the emotions I share are all genuine experiences, so what people see and hear is the real me.
As both a musician and a person, I’ve grown a lot over the past few years. I’ve become more confident, more comfortable being vulnerable, and less afraid to let people see the authentic side of me. Harlow Reign represents that growth. It’s a reminder to stay true to myself, create music with honesty, and never be afraid to tell my story.
OSR: If you had to introduce a new listener to your music, which song would you recommend? It can be one off the EP or another of your singles.
Harlow Reign: That’s a really difficult question because there are two songs that represent different sides of who I am as an artist.
‘Sorry’ is probably the most personal song I’ve ever written. It’s about discovering my infertility and grieving the child I never got to have. I wrote it in around 20 minutes because every lyric came straight from the heart. There was no overthinking – it was simply raw emotion. It’s one of the hardest songs for me to listen to, but also one of the most important because I know so many people experience loss and grief in silence. If it helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s done exactly what it was meant to do.
On the other hand, ‘Save Me Now’ really captures the overall sound and direction of Harlow Reign. It blends vulnerability with strength and speaks about reaching a breaking point while still holding onto hope. It’s emotional, powerful, and showcases the style of music I want to continue creating. I think it gives listeners a great sense of who I am sonically while still carrying a message that people can connect with in their own way.
If I had to introduce someone to Harlow Reign, I’d tell them to listen to both. ‘Sorry’ introduces you to my heart, and ‘Save Me Now’ introduces you to my sound.
OSR: What do you feel is the most exciting part of being a musician, and what is the most challenging part?
Harlow Reign: For me, the most exciting part of being a musician is creating. I absolutely love the songwriting and recording process. There’s something really special about starting with an idea, an emotion, or a lyric and watching it grow into a finished song. It’s where I feel the most creative and the most connected to myself.
The most challenging part is definitely performing. Even though I’ve been on stage since I was three years old, sharing my own original music is a completely different experience. When you’re singing songs you’ve written about your own life, you’re exposing a very vulnerable part of yourself. Every performance pushes me outside my comfort zone, but I also think that’s where the growth happens. The more I perform, the more confident I become, and seeing people connect with my music makes every nervous moment worthwhile.
OSR: What can we expect from you in the future? More music or performances?
Harlow Reign: Definitely more music. Writing and recording is where my passion lies, so fans can expect plenty of new releases over the coming years. My goal is to keep growing as an artist, exploring new sounds, and continuing to tell honest, authentic stories through my music.
I’m already thinking about my next project, whether that’s another EP or even a full-length album. I don’t like putting pressure on the process. I want the songs to come together naturally and make sure every release is something I’m truly proud of.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Harlow Reign: Absolutely. My biggest message is that it’s never too late to chase what you love. We often convince ourselves that we’ve missed our chance because of our age, our circumstances, or the path life has taken us – but that’s simply not true. Harlow Reign is proof of that. It took me years to find the confidence to release my own music and share my story with the world. Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t give up on that dream.
So, if there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, don’t wait for the “perfect” time, because it may never come. Take the chance, back yourself, and remember that it’s never too old, and never too late, to become the person you’re meant to be.
Many thanks to Harlow Reign for speaking with us. Find out more about Harlow Reign on her Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bandcamp, SoundCloud and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
