Ross Harding Unveils Gritty Blues Rock Anthem ‘A Thousand Snakes’ as He Sets Course for the UK
Intro
Embarking on a sonic odyssey that navigates the rugged terrain of rock and delves into the soulful depths of delta blues, Ross Harding introduces his latest single and music video, ‘A Thousand Snakes.’ As he readies to release this electrifying track to the world, we delve deep into the creative process, influences, and aspirations that have shaped this musical masterpiece. Join us as we explore the soul-stirring melodies and raw energy that epitomize Ross Harding’s artistry.
Interview
‘A Thousand Snakes’ exudes the raw energy of gritty, sludgy, riff-laden groove hard rock with unmistakable delta blues influences. Could you walk us through the creative journey behind this track? How did you capture the essence of delta blues and weave it into your distinctive musical style?
Ross: To quote another interview I did recently, the old blues has such an enchanting appeal to me. Simple music that is primal at its core, tribal, trance-like, and evokes feelings of magic, and hypnosis. It’s mesmerizing. That’s the bluesy core and essence of “A Thousand Snakes”, and that’s what it feels like to me. To be honest, at times the blues connection in my music might seem a little further removed than what purists would like, but I feel like most of my music has that blues essence at its foundation. I leaned hard into my more natural and lower baritone voice, just trying to be as organic with the song as possible. There are two recorded versions of this song (the other’s release date will be announced in due course) one of course, the hard rock/blues rock song you’ve heard now, and the other, a more rootsy, traditional blues backdrop with atmospheric and acoustic instrumentation. That’s what can happen with writing, creativity, and all the trial-and-error of performing music live before it’s recorded, as well as presenting music in different formats.
The accompanying music video for ‘A Thousand Snakes’ promises to be just as evocative as the song itself. Can you share any insights into the concept behind the video and how it complements the themes of the song?
Ross: Initially I was going to have footage of snakes and eerie things, but I decided to take a different artistic approach in the end. The video shows the two sides of the coin that I touched on in the previous section – the hard rock band & musician, and the acoustic artist. The video was also filmed in a location in Boksburg, at the Boksburg Stadium, in the town where I grew up. There’s this strange tower that looms over that area, that I remember had rumours of the occult and satanism linked to it. I always wanted to leave that town and move onto bigger things. An apt coincidence has occurred in two music videos now where an airplane has flown by during filming, which of course speaks to the idea of moving, and now, immigrating, which I loved. I do think the video is a tip of the hat to where I grew up, as it is still part of who I am, and kind of reflects the progress I have made since then.
Your music often draws from a rich tapestry of influences, including Black Sabbath-inspired vibes. How do you strike a balance between paying homage to these influences while still creating something fresh and original?
Ross: I think my influences come through in my music naturally, or at least, on a more subconscious level. I’ve never really tried to write anything that sounded like a particular influence, and even when I have gone down that path, I always end up sounding like me. What I do know is that I love the sound of bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, so in that context of music creation, live or in the studio, there is a kind of replication of that style of music. In other words, I think those bands already had the sounds and instruments right, and that’s kind of the style that I use for recording, so naturally it bears a resemblance to those influences.
With your imminent move to the UK, ‘A Thousand Snakes’ takes on an added significance. How do you think this relocation will influence your future music and artistic direction?
Ross: Quoting myself from another recent interview, It’s all about expansion, adventure, opportunity, and experiences for me and my family. The world is a big place, and one of my goals has always been to share my music with the world. Musically, I know that this move gives me a much greater stage. The UK, and London especially, has so much rich history in the world of music, that it’s hard not to be inspired just by that. Led Zeppelin, one of the greatest rock bands in history, and a personal favorite comes from London, with so many other incredibly influential bands and artists. Then there are legendary studios, venues, and musicians, both from the past and working currently, with so many other sources of inspiration and influence that I find it hard to think it wouldn’t directly affect my creative process.
Delta blues has a storied history, deeply rooted in the American South. How did you first become drawn to this genre, and what about it resonates with you as a musician?
Ross: When I was a teenager, I started diving deeper and deeper into the music that I loved. I discovered the blues because the musicians I loved had been influenced by the blues. For example, Led Zeppelin’s “Since I’ve Been Loving You” fell on me like a ton of bricks. I started learning more and more about blues guitar. The simplicity, yet emotional complexity resonated deep in my soul. Because Zeppelin was a kind of blues rock band in many ways, I started finding out about those influences – perhaps to gain some insight into how they created music. Then, I began to discover that the blues itself had an immense history of music, stories, and folklore and was just so deep. I became obsessed. My interest in the strange, gothic, and weird was of course peaked when I found the blues had stories about the devil, soul-selling, and this wealth of music culture. Like the original Devil music that I had been listening to. It gripped me and has held me in its arms ever since.
As you prepare to take your music to international audiences, what aspects of the UK music scene are you most excited to explore or immerse yourself in?
Ross: There is so much! The UK and Europe give me much, much wider audiences going forward. Being able to work in the UK and Europe has been a dream for many years, so that’s already just massively exciting. I cannot wait to be performing in London. I hope that someday I’ll be able to perform at the Royal Albert Hall, a very potent dream of mine. To quote Justin Hawkins, “London is the city that all other cities aspire to be”. So many of my favorite, and most influential artists come from the UK, including Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and countless others. There is an immense wealth of musical history and influence in the UK, and I am looking forward to immersing myself in that.
You’ve had a successful career in South Africa, performing with various bands and earning acclaim for your solo work. How do you hope to build upon that success as you transition to the UK?
Ross: I think that the work I’ve done in SA, along with the fans, and foundations I’ve built there (which I am grateful for) gives me something solid to take into the UK. The question kind of answers itself – the work I’ve done in South Africa serves as a foundation to build upon in the UK and Europe.
The blues has always been a genre steeped in emotion and storytelling. How do you infuse your own personal experiences and narratives into your music, particularly on tracks like ‘A Thousand Snakes’?
Ross: Whatever I work on, no matter how deep the influence, I always have my preferences when it comes to the music, lyrics, tones, and so forth. Where what I’m doing leans outside of my usual realm, or into something more traditionally blues, I find that what I like, how I write, how I sing and play guitar, always finds its way into the music, and therefore allows something original to emerge. I think that the blues and its musical structure lend themselves to telling stories in such a fantastic way. It has served as an exquisite sort of blank canvas for me to paint on.
In recent years, we’ve seen a resurgence of interest in blues and rock blues music. What do you think contributes to the enduring appeal of these genres, and how do you see your music fitting into that landscape?
Ross: For starters, people who love the music are essentially the ones who keep it alive and keep pushing it forward. There are trends of course that come and go, we see that all the time, but there are also the true fans and musicians, the core and backbone of the music, I think, who help carry the genre forward when it’s not “popular”. Then, artists emerge and bring the music back into the spotlight, perhaps by blending different influences into the music, like Gary Clark Jr did when he brought his flavor of soul / R&B and rock into the blues. That exposes people to the genre that they may otherwise not have been. I think I do that in my way. My music is not “traditional” blues. It’s more like a post-grunge or hard rock artist playing the blues, paying homage to the greats like Robert Johnson, BB King, and so many others. That I hope, exposes fans of different genres to what I and other brilliant contemporary blues artists are doing.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future of your music career, both in terms of artistic growth and reaching new audiences?
Ross: I have many dreams, desires, and goals for my career. All these things require work, dedication, and time. At this point, I am building on my discography, and sharing my music with as many people as I can. I have focussed on writing and recording the best music and art that I can and will keep building on that foundation.
It’s been an enlightening journey exploring the depths of Ross Harding’s musical world with ‘A Thousand Snakes.’ We extend our sincerest gratitude to Ross for sharing his insights and passion with us. As he embarks on his next chapter in the UK, kicking off with shows with the esteemed Dan Patlansky, we wish him all the success and fulfillment in his career and journey.
Stream & Watch ‘A Thousand Snakes’ Available Friday 15 March HERE
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About ‘A Thousand Snakes’
South African/UK Rock and Blues Singer-Songwriter Ross Harding is poised to captivate audiences worldwide with his new single and music video, ‘A Thousand Snakes’, set for release on Friday, March 15th. Drawing inspiration from the raw essence of old Delta Blues, this promises a haunting journey through themes of struggle and resilience. With a detuned guitar rooted in bluesy tones, Ross infuses his own style, creating a dark and sinister atmosphere that resonates with the depths of the soul. Through personal reflection and philosophical insight, ‘A Thousand Snakes’ delves into the complexities of human existence, offering listeners an immersive experience that transcends musical boundaries. Don’t miss the unveiling of Ross Harding’s evocative new single and music video … prepare to be enthralled.
Ross Harding Commentary
“The original idea for ‘A Thousand Snakes’ was inspired by the old Delta blues. A detuned guitar part rooted in those bluesy tones, embellished with my own style. There is something dark and sinister lurking there. The core of the song is about struggle, somewhat. Maybe about our struggles in life as people, maybe something very personal, I can’t say for sure. I seem to gravitate towards these themes often because I think our existence as people ultimately is about struggle in different forms that shape us. Sometimes, unfortunately, it creates broken people, lost people, and sometimes it creates enlightened, more resilient beings, the latter being my hope for all. My music usually takes on this kind of darker form because that’s what resonates with me. That’s what moves my soul in music generally. I don’t always think that dark element is negative. I think there is something much deeper. Philosophically, when we consider the most poignant times in our lives, they are seldom ‘happy,’ and that doesn’t mean those times weren’t good. There are emotions in this world far greater.”
Ross Harding Bio
Ross Harding embarked on his musical journey in 2017, founding the Blues Rock band ‘Black Harbour Blues’. Since then, he has achieved both local and international success through captivating performances, extensive tours, and acclaimed recordings. Notable highlights include headlining the prestigious Drakensberg’s ‘White Mountain Festival’ and sharing the main stage at the 2014 RamFest with renowned acts like Biffy Clyro, Trivium, Fouls, and Killswitch Engage. Ross has also made numerous appearances at local festivals, embarked on an acoustic international tour to Italy, and performed at various independent shows across South Africa.
In 2018, Ross co-hosted a sold-out ‘House of Blues’ show, featuring top South African Blues musicians such as Andre Kriel (Black Cat Bones), Pepi Dimevski (Gunshot Blue), and Richard Bruyns. He has further supported major South African artists, including Dan Patlansky, The Narrow, Prime Circle, and Fokofpolisiekar, while serving as the frontman for the acclaimed South African Super Rock Group Fear of Falling.
Ross gained global industry recognition with his 2022 debut EP ‘Rest & Resurrection’ and 2022 sophomore EP ‘Chapter II’. These releases were followed by his Maxi Single ‘Everything Is Black’ in 2023, solidifying his position at the forefront of the music scene.
In January 2024, Ross announced his relocation to the UK in March 2024, coinciding with his business’s move to London. He aims to continue his journey as a performing artist while fostering connections between South Africa and Europe. His upcoming single and music video, ‘A Thousand Snakes’, set for release on 15th March 2024, explores the depths of the delta blues, intertwining personal struggles and philosophical reflections on human existence, resonating profoundly with Ross’s soulful musical expression.
Following the conclusion of his South African tour, Ross is set to continue his musical odyssey in the UK. Upcoming shows are planned for April 7th in Glasgow and April 12th in Brighton, where he will be sharing the stage with acclaimed artist Dan Patlansky. More shows are scheduled across the UK from May onwards, promising an electrifying continuation of Ross Harding’s musical journey.
Ross captivates audiences with his vocal prowess and acoustic guitar finesse, whether performing solo acoustic sets or with his band. His trio band demonstrates mastery across Blues, Classic Rock styles, and original compositions, cementing his status as a versatile and dynamic musician.