Intro
Ross Harding is a Rock Singer-Songwriter from Johannesburg, South Africa. As a songwriter and performing artist, he personifies rich, versatile vocal abilities with expert guitar knowledge, and has gained global industry recognition for his command of blues and rock music, reminiscent of the classic rock, grunge & blues artists of the past. “And ultimately, that’s what Harding has done so well on his debut solo EP – he’s found himself a sound that’s full of emotion, passion and angst, but more importantly, one that celebrates the memory of rock music.“ (Texx And The City)
In 2017 Harding formed the blues rock band, BLACK HARBOUR BLUES, and has made local and international progress performing, touring, and recording with the band. Notable performances include a headline slot at the Drakensberg’s WHITE MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL, Main Stage at 2014’s RAMFEST with Biffy Clyro, Trivium, Fouls and Killswitch Engage, countless local festivals, an acoustic international tour to Italy, and many independent shows throughout South Africa.
In 2018 Harding and Hughes hosted a sold out “HOUSE OF BLUES” show, which included some of South Africa’s top blues musicians – Andre Kriel (Black Cat Bones), Pepi Dimevski (Gunshot Blue), Richard Bruyns and others.
Ross Harding has supported major South African artists like DAN PATLANSKY, FOKOFPOLISIEKAR, THE NARROW, and PRIME CIRCLE and is able to enchant all kinds of audiences.
Performing both as a solo acoustic artist and with a band, Harding is able to captivate audiences with his vocal prowess and acoustic guitar accompaniment, while his trio band boasts mastery of the blues, classic rock styles, and original music. His debut solo record, REST & RESURRECTION, was released in early 2022 and has seen local and international recognition, with a follow up EP, called CHAPTER II on its way 4 November, including a music video that was sponsored by MTN.
Performances have included two Cape Town tours, with shows at the DAISY JONES Bar Stellenbosch and SABC’s ESPRESSO TV, as well as independent club shows throughout South Africa, with live recordings at DISCOVRTV Johannesburg and MIX FM.
Questions
Hi Ross and welcome back to Fanbase Music Magazine! It is awesome that you have released some solo work!
Before getting into that, can you just let us know where you grew up?
Thanks for lending me this platform! I was born in Sandton and grew up in the East of Johannesburg, where I went to school as well.
Do you come from a musical family and background?
Not really. However, my family loves music and there was music around all the time; but not the kind of music that I’m into. I think my mother got me into Eric Clapton as a little kid, though; and my father introduced me to classical composers as a youngster too. I still listen to Clapton all the time; and my favourite classical composer is Beethoven, whose music I listen to mostly after gigs when I need peace and quiet on the drive home.
How would you describe your solo music?
Ross Harding is essentially a band. It’s rock music that is heavily influenced by the Blues, Hard / Classic Rock, and Grunge: and we take an old-school approach. The songs are arranged for drums, bass guitar, vocals, and electric guitar, apart from acoustic performances here and there. That’s the formula. Vintage tones, vintage style. I just want to write the best Rock songs I possibly can.
The first track being released off your upcoming EP is called Love & Time; can you tell us what the song is about?
Love & Time, and other songs that I’ve been working on of late, all deal with themes of mortality, life, death, and what we do with our time in between. I think the realisation that I’m nearly 30, I have my first child on the way, and how fast everything happens has had a massively positive impact on me. I want to live every day to the fullest.
Who worked on the track & EP?
I wrote and arranged the songs, including performing vocals, guitars, and bass, and writing lyrics. Matt Rennie, my bandmate recorded drums and the song was produced and recorded by Byron Muller and mastered by Rogan Kelsey.
The name of the new EP is called Chapter II, how does it differ from what you have released before; and what inspired the EP?
Earlier in 2021 I released my debut EP, Rest & Resurrection, although I’ve been a professional in the music industry for almost 10 years, having played in various Rock and Blues Rock bands throughout my career. The Rest & Resurrection EP was my first time creating and releasing music as a “solo” artist (although I perform live with my insanely talented bandmates: Merrick Kyle our bassist and Matt Rennie our drummer).
“Chapter II” I feel is a more mature sound, even though it was recorded less than a year after the first EP. There’s been definite growth in its sound, and artistically I’m proud to be releasing it. I think Rock fans, Blues Rock fans, even fans of heavier music will be into it. It’s an old-school approach to music creation that I think is lost in Modern Rock in many ways; and pays homage to artists of the 70s, 80s and 90s, whom we love. The first single “Love & Time” is out on the 16th of September, and the full EP will be available on the 4th of November 2022.
When writing music, how would you describe the writing process and how you put a song together?
It really depends on where the creative idea is born. Maybe a guitar riff, maybe a rhythm or drum groove, a lyric or philosophical idea. After I have the initial spark, it’s about feeding the fire and painting the whole picture.
Can you describe a typical live experience for anyone who hasn’t been to one of your gigs yet?
Depending on the setting, whether the band is performing on a massive festival stage, in a club and so forth, it ranges from emotive, loud, energetic Rock ‘n Roll, through to soft and gentle Blues, to Acoustic. Again, all depending on the setting. My band and I pride ourselves on live performances, so the music is played tightly, honestly, and with everything we’ve got to give, every time.
In 2014 you got to play Ramfest and share the stage with bands such as Trivium, Biffy Clyro among other big names; how was that whole experience?
Crazy! It was one of my earlier professional performances and it blew my mind, being able to meet some of these musicians and be a part of an amazing festival.
Can you talk us through your gear, what instruments do you play and what make of instruments do you prefer to use?
As a singer a good old trusty Shure SM58 does the trick for me; but there are some mics I really love like the Shure SM7B.
As a guitarist, essentially my rig is as follows: Marshall Origin Head & Cab (that’s pretty much my tone), various effects and drive pedals, and then my Epiphone Les Paul Custom is my main guitar. I’m also using a Tokai Love Rock Les Paul type of guitar; and a black Mexican Fender Strat and a white Fender Player Series Telecaster, occasionally.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years musically?
Doing more or less what I am now, except stepping up the levels. As I learn about the music industry, I want to push boundaries and do things bigger and bigger. I’d like to be in the USA in the next 5 years. But I am blessed to be doing this as a full-time career musician. I just want to keep pushing the envelope with my art, playing bigger shows, getting my music to more fans and sharing my music with the world.
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