From her childhood as a choir girl to her beginnings as a bar room singer Harmony just wanted to be around music. She was able to enjoy Handel or Hank, Patsy or Powderfinger, Jewel or Jebediah. However, it was at the age of twelve when her best friend came home from the US with cassettes of country music that Harmony knew exactly where she wanted to go with her music. Since then she has always been country and her early influences were the Judds, Randy Travis, the Highwaymen, Dolly Parton, Terri Clark, Alison Krausse, Anne Kirkpatrick and any other music she could get her hands on. As a writer she is often told her sound smacks of Neil Young or Mary Chapin Carpenter. As a vocalist she is sometimes Tracy Chapman and sometimes Dido. Harmony's vocal style has it all, a break in the voice, confident pitching, and a mature sense of timing beyond her years.
Sounds Like
Developed in isolation with no training or mentoring Harmony has come up with a style and sound that is compared to no one, but has captivated many. Country but not hokey, you will not find a ute or a swag mentioned anywhere. Her songs are tasteful yet quirky, serious yet self deprecating.
Harmony James spends her days in the wide open spaces of the Barkly region in Northern Territory. Her nights are filled with music: making it, listening to it and writing it. Harmony knows country; she has lived it and has the scars to prove it. She has been thrown off horses, trampled by cattle, had her heart broken by a saddle bronc rider and if anyone is qualified to sing country its her.
With the recent release of her critically acclaimed debut EP Harmony has caught the attention of many people who are all surprised to find her origins are in the remote outback of Australia. Her debut single released in March 2007 went straight to the top 10 and she followed it up with a smash hit that stayed at number 1 for 4 weeks straight. She has set about the task of becoming a nationally recognised singer and songwriter and her recent win in the country division of the International Songwriting Competition has further cemented her status as a very promising talent to watch.
She has performed throughout Australia from the Queensland Cape and Gulf country, in South Australian remote deserts, Northern Territory cattle country and right down to Gippsland in Victoria. She has sung in small pubs to a handful of people, around campfires in the middle of nowhere, to crowds of thousands and in the packed halls of the capital of country music.
An exceptionally talented vocalist and unique award winning songwriter she has written alongside leading Australian writers such as Brendon Walmsley and Phil O’Shea. A graduate of the CMAA Australian College of Country Music she is also a former finalist in the Toyota Starmaker competition and the Musicoz awards. With the talent, self-belief and commitment behind her there is no doubt that this woman can and will see an exciting future for herself in country music.
Recent Achievements
Finalist – 2008 Country Music Association of Australia – Golden Guitar - New Talent -Tailwind
Winner - 2008 Best New Talent - Victorian and National Coumtry Music Awards
Winner - 2008 TIARA Newcomer Recording Time Award
Winner - 2008 SA Radio Wally Award - Best New Act at Tamworth
Finalist – 2008 Victorian and National Country Music Awards – Female vocal, Independent Artist, Heritage Song, Songwriter, Bush Ballad
I would have been quicker with this comment but I had to listen to, Fly, a few times first. Then it dawned on me that I could open a second window and listen to your song while I typed, so that's what I'm doing now.
Harmony,... Thank you so much for posting, Fly. I missed that song so much. I just adore that song. I can listen to it over, and over, and over...
It's an awesome song and will be another hit! Great job!
Hi Harmony. I am so happy to hear that "Home" is your next single. I LOVE IT!! I play your EP on repeat all the time and drive the neighbours crazy. You are such a talented songwriter. How do you write those songs??? Love your singing too! Best of luck with the single. cheers from Noela.
Hi Harmony, Great to be a part of your space and thank you for being part of mine. I wish you all the success with your career, you have a great future ahead of you. Love your Tailwind, so to speak. Congrat on your awards. We were both in the Vic Country Awards, they gave you the best new talent as I was too old and you deserved it anyway. Go for it! Graham
OH MY GOODNESS DARLIN!!! just fell in love with ur song "home"... i just went through a break up and this is just amazing this song... ur an amazing chick, bloody excellent voice - hope to see u live in NSW soon
Thank you Miss James! I had a great day but that cupcake with pink icing would have made it awesome, haha. How was your weekend in Katherine? Hope you had a blast, im totally jealous. Much love xx
