Dear friends, I've had a pleasure to meet H.A.R.M.O.N.Y.
She's an italian artist, singer, designer, illustrator (ART8 Design) moved to Berlin about 9 years ago.
We will cross the boundaries between time, we will travel between parallel worlds, where everything makes sense and the case does not exist, where energy of Universe permeates everything with ispirations, in the magic world of H.A.R.M.O.N.Y.
photo by Ohad Leev Roage
Hi Harmony, we are happy to be able to interview you. First of all, we ask you to tell us a little bit about the history of your artistic journey: studies, influences, a brief introduction for our readers
Hello
everyone and thank you for this great opportunity, it is always a pleasure to
talk with to you!
I have been
studying music since kindergarten (I was about 4 and a half years old), at that
time my mom, who played the piano, luckily decided to let me take an electric piano (keyboard) class taught by a certified
Yamaha teacher, who I still remember with pleasure, especially because
the exercise booklets were full of colorful figures with cute little animals in
the Japanese style ( is it where my
passion for Japan began..?). Since I did not play this instrument consistently,
over time I lost the ability to play it, like the flute, which I took up during middle school. As for singing, I've always
sung in choirs, and when I decided to pursue a solo path, I went back to taking
voice lessons, first from a teacher with a classical (opera) background who
accompanied me on the organ, since we rehearsed in a church...and then with a
vocal coach who also aimed at facial expressions and posture, particularly to
get to the higher notes and to maintain some vocal power. He pointed out to me
that some people are born with a body conformation that facilitates the
emission in the voice, while other people have to remedy it with a certain kind
of training, and preciselywith posture and facial expressions.
My musical
influences range from the Knights of the King and Cristina D'avena (cartoon
theme songs from my childhood), to Madonna, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper,
Antonella Ruggiero (great artist!), Elisa (whom I adore), via Sharon Den Adel
of Within Temptation and other symphonic rock singers, who as you know have
voices that come from the world of opera and can hit both low and high notes.
Plus other more and less topical names, but I avoid going into too much detail.
How much
has Berlin, a city where you have lived for several years, influenced you? Has
it offered you opportunities for growth in the artistic sphere?
I think
Berlin has influenced me quite a bit, yes, for a good eight years! For example,
"New Life," "Fearless," and "Love Explosion" were
born under Berlin influence.
"New
Life" I actually wrote in Italy, but the instrumental part is by my
long-time producer, the Berlin musician Florian Przytarski (Toneflow Studios,
Berlin), and it is about a new life...the one I later found here in Berlin,
precisely, a new life I had been aspiring to for years and wanted to be in
Berlin. "Fearless" was born while I had already been here for a few
years and is about the ups and downs of mood (emotional rollercoster) given by
fear (anxieties) and also by the weather (the mythical Berlin winter...),
because it is mostly here that I faced my fears and many I overcame them,
everything is possible, when you love yourself...and others.
"Love
Explosion" is the most recent one, born a year ago (I will talk more about
it later), for which a close friend of mine, a German multi-instrumentalist and
singer-songwriter, aka Tiahi, composed and recorded
the base with guitar. It has taken time, because he has so many
commitments, but as always he kept his word and thanks to his trusted friend
and drummer, as well as producer of some of his tracks, I was able to record my
new single in the studio as well. My new producer, Matan Goldstein (Riverside
Studio Berlin), is an incredible drummer, in fact he also recorded live drums
for "Love Explosion," plus other percussion, making my track even
more nuanced. Once again, I was able to actively participate in the production
of my song, a very delicate and exciting process!
Regarding
other collaborations, there have been, but due to commitment issues, they have ended. I also have new ones in mind for the
future, particularly with an Italian musician here in Berlin.
Meanwhile,
for several years now, I have been part of the Mariposa Choir, a women choir in Berlin which is part of a beautiful and very useful women's
project, called Mariposa (AWO, Bayouma-Haus), and where we favor folk music in
various languages, and from various eras, through 1980s pop...in short, we
never get bored!
Do you have
other passions besides singing and drawing? Hobbies, pastimes, etc.
Yes, for
years now I have been practicing Yoga and meditation, which help me a lot to
stay centered, relaxed and flexible, and then, recently started, Tai Chi, the
ancient Chinese martial art that focuses a lot on energy work, as well as
giving benefit to muscle tone. It is also very choreographed (we use fans), I highly recommend it!
photo by Ohad Leev Roage
Who are
your masters? Your inspirational muses in art and life.
Apart from
my mom, whom I take a lot of inspiration from, I have to say Jesus, I am a
believer and feel him very close as a teacher of Life. As a
Buddhist and pacifist exponent, a great teacher of mindfulness meditation (being
in the present moment, without judging), I am very inspired by the late Tic
Nathan. Among the
famous people of the past there are others whom I admire for their works of
Life and Art, for example actresses like Audrey Hepburn.
What
themes do you enjoy addressing through your work THE MOST?
Primarily
Love, overcoming life's obstacles through love, one's own inner strength and
divine intervention (which for some people can also be the Universe). The hope
that everything will work out sooner or later and the celebration of joy, of
life, even through death.
In
"Love Explosion" there is love, passion, enthusiasm for life.
I would
like to imagine you as a painting with certain colors, sounds, with particular
scents...how would you describe yourself?
What a
beautiful image! I would describe myself as a Pre-Raphaelite (Victorian
Britain) painting, where elegant figures of women are depicted in romantic,
Renaissance and medieval settings, painted in muted colors and often surrounded
by flowers that look real...scented. A painting certainly rich in symbolism to
interpret.. and... the sounds of Nature!
You
know, I always thought you were like a fairy, an elf, a woodland character,
because of your great sensitivity and gentleness, your love for nature and its
laws. Which element do you feel most attracted to?
I think the
same about you!
According
to my birth zodiac sign I am very attracted to water, instead according to my
ascendant (plus three planets), to fire! In fact, I am very passionate about
it.
Let's say
that all the elements attract me, so also earth, which for me is Mother Nature,
stability, concreteness...but also air, which I sometimes miss a little (this
element is scarcely present in my birth chart) and which would give me more
adaptation to changes, more flexibility. And according to the Chinese horoscope,
metal, gold and silver also attract me.
Your
songs and art instill calm, serenity and hope. Your voice turns into a rainbow
to draw from its colors when one is sad. So...let's go deeper into your
essence, into your magical world. What did you want to do as a child? What
dreams did you have?
Thank you!
Oh, as a
child I actually wanted to be a queen! Haha, I guess I already had clear ideas,
but unfortunately there are no open positions for this job.
Who is
your favorite fictional character and why? How much of you is IT in this
figure?
It is the
Unicorn, because it is magical, pure and rare. Well, I consider myself quite
rare as a person, although I say that with humility. Maybe even a little
magical at times, and as far as purity goes, I think I have a fairly pure
heart, or at least those who know me think so. In any case I love horses, and
that's also why I like unicorns, like the beautiful ones in the movie Legend.
Do you
believe that each of us has our own destiny written in the stars?
Yes, I
believe that basically there is a fairly definite track, but I also believe
that this track, at least in part, can be changed, with our daily thoughts,
words and actions, with our willpower and attitude towards life.
I am sure that I have given a new turn to my life, to my destiny, just
by moving to Berlin, I feel it, this act of faith, courage and love, saved me
from a destiny that no longer belonged to me. I have to say that art saved me,
changed my life, especially music, and I know that many people can understand
me because they have had experiences similar to mine.
In the
past you have made paintings inspired by totem animals. How did this
inspiration come FROM? Do you have a connection to the American Indian
spiritual tradition or do you feel closer to other cultures?
It came about
through shamanic meditation, and the first painting (see attached photo)
depicting two wolves under a full moon came about through my first shamanic
meditation, thanks to you, who guided me through your recorded voice. There I
began my journey to discover my Totem Animals. After that, I
participated in live guided meditations here in Berlin, with a very good
shaman, Roberta Perzolla, whom I recommend for doing quality holistic paths.
Also thanks
to the emotional creativity course of my dear friend Elisa Nicolò (a Roman
painter whom you will soon meet), I was able to make this small collection of
paintings, inspired by both Native American and Celtic cultures, to which I
feel very connected.
It has very much importance, mathematics is the basis of everything, also of music and in the influence that our names have on us, even nicknames and stage names. For this reason, I calculated the master numbers of the name of my music project (which also became my stage name) and chose a name that would at least partially collimate with the numbers of my numerological horoscope (i.e., first name, last name and date of birth). I chose a name that was reminiscent of music (harmony) that was short, catchy, internationally pleasing, but above all that was charged with a definite energy, that of the number 8 first and foremost, an energy that is not easy but that over time builds solid foundations and works for high ideals, which it comes to achieve, if it acts ethically. In short, the results come with time, but what really matters for my project is the journey itself, the path taken to get to the goal, beyond economic profit, notoriety. Basically my music has to make people feel good and inspire them positively, the rest comes later. However if you want to support my future productions, legally download my music, it costs little but can make a difference. Maybe I should also do crowdfunding to finance my upcoming songs, what do you think?
Do you
own a collection of your drawings? an album that contains everything (REALLY everything)
from the moment you first started drawing?
Yes,
however, the ones from when I was little are at my mom's house, who keeps them
with love.
Is
there a subject you have created that you are particularly attached to?
I think it
is my first shamanic painting, the one with the wolves, in fact I will never
sell it.
Do you
re-listen to your music often? If you had to tell us which A piece of music THAT
most represents you today which one would you choose?
I don't
listen to my music often, although I hope to start doing so, because it will
mean that I will be performing live with my solo project, which I would love to
start doing. For now, I'm more of a studio artist. One of my songs that still
represents me now is "Once Upon A Time", a lullaby inspired by the
Grimm Brothers' fairy tale, also known as"Snow White and Rose-Red". Like all fairy tales, it contains many symbols,
including esoteric ones, speaks of a deep bond, which then is love in various
forms, and of the strength contained in nature, which comes to the rescue in
the darkest hour, but also of divine providential intervention.
How did
your new upcoming single "LOVE EXPLOSION" come about?
It came
about as a result of sentimental experiences, more and less happy, but which
gave me the charge to be reborn as a woman, to reopen myself to love and
passion, I wanted to write a song to celebrate it, inspiration came to me after
a good four years...nothing happens by chance.
I thought
of turning to Tiahi for the music because his style is
very sunny and makes you want to dance! I wanted my piece to be catchy,
singable, danceable, like his songs full of optimism.
I changed
producers because I wanted to explore a new kind of sound, a new kind of
musical style, although I will always be grateful to my first producer, with
whom I made 8 songs! "Fearless "is the eighth and includes an acoustic
version, which also features his vocals. There was a good feeling between us
and you can also hear it in the songs we produced together.
In short,
new musicians, new producer, new sounds, and hopefully also new
listeners-users, in addition to the loyal ones (starting with my family and
friends).
Are you
working on any new projects in addition to those already mentioned?
Well yes! I
have been asked by many people and I finally wrote a song in Italian...it is to
be perfected, but it is there. I have already asked an Italian friend of mine,
who is a very good musician, to collaborate with me, but I will reveal the name
when things are done.
Let's
close with a question we are used to asking: what is art and who are artists?
For me, art
is life, and artists are those people who manage to interpret it through various means.
It is said that the artist expresses themselves, but basically we are a collection of life
experiences, present ... and past. The artist expresses himself by channeling
inspiration and then giving it form, through music, dance, painting,
photography, make-up and more. I believe that since childhood, each one of us
is an artist, or at least we can aspire to be one in the eyes of others, because
we are alive and life is the first and greatest form of art, because it is
Creation. Happy co-creation to all and long live art in all its forms!
Thank you
from the bottom of my heart, friends of Art Waves!
Peace!
Anna Harmony Riva
Anna
(Harmony) Riva
http://www.harmony8music.net
Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/harmony8music
Info and
booking:
info@harmony8music.net
Photoshooting
done by Ohad Leev Roage
Interview by M.L. for Art-Waves
Translations by Anna Riva and Claudia Romagnoli
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