Have you ever felt like you’re drowning in noise? Like every voice around you is screaming for attention, yet all you seek is a moment of silence to catch your breath? That’s the kind of space ‘The Rope’ by Richie Harrison immerses you in, where political chaos, personal battles, and an endless search for meaning all collide. As you sit down to read, set aside any expectations of prim, polished interviews akin to a senator’s suit. Here, in a chat that feels more like a gritty dive into the human soul than a formal exchange, we bring you up close with Richie Harrison, a musician whose every answer is a lyrical confession.

Your new song “The Rope” is like political neutrality on steroids. But if you were forced to choose a side in this fictional rock battle, who would win: punk rockers or grunge artists?

Haha I like that analogy. Punk rockers without a doubt. Give me The Sex Pistols or Wire any day of the week.

The track feels like a very personal struggle. If you were to compare creating this song to a stage in life, would it be more like a rock ‘n’ roll marathon or an unexpected party with punk chaos?

I’d say more like a punky sea swim because I’ve had to go through many waves to get where I am.

Do you think that if politicians took the stage with guitars and started playing punk, their credibility would instantly increase?

Haha absolutely not. It’d be like Boris Johnson trying to play football…horrific.

In “The Rope”, you talk about the impossibility of choosing a side. Do you think it’s even possible to find truth in a world where information is constantly distorted?

I wrote the Rope around the national election time. You have people telling you to vote one side or the other. They are both the same though. Who do you choose when both sides are as mental as each other!?

I think its definitely a lot more difficult to find truth in a lot of things now, especially social media. I do however, feel music is the best platform to get the truth out and deal with everyday problems. I don’t really get how some people still only talk about love in their music. There is so much more to talk about, that needs discussing, talk about that.

Do you think people are naturally more inclined towards freedom or submission to the system?

Oof what a question. I honestly would like to believe people are naturally more inclined to freedom but it’s probably more the latter. I dunno I suppose you have to submit in a way if you want a comfortable life. Not the most exciting one but comfortable. To do anything you need money. I’d love to be able to say I’m free of the chains of modern life but in reality I’m completely tied down. Music is my release.

Politics is always a struggle for power and influence. How do you see the role of art in a world where money and power often determine everything? Can music really change something in society?

Damn rights it can. Music can be the most influential platform there is. I like to talk about mental health a lot in my songs or something that’s on my mind. Also like I said earlier, let’s move on from love in music, there is literally a song for every single emotion in love. It’s for lazy song writers.

How do you define success for your new single “The Rope”? Is it more about the number of listeners or how deeply the song affects those who hear it?

Listen I’d love to sit here and go “yeah man, if I could change 1 person that’d be enough” but no I WANT listeners. Haha.

What do you envision for your musical future? Will you continue experimenting with punk and grunge sounds, or might you try something completely new?

Well I have a punky/rocky/grungy album out at the end of the year called Wisdom is Wasted on the Old. Then after that I’m currently half way through a concept album on mental health, which is going to be completely different to this bunch of songs. I do like to change the style of my music a lot. I have a lot of influences. I listen to music pretty much every minute I’m awake. 

What guitar do you most often use in your recordings and performances? Do you have a favorite instrument with which you feel a special connection?

I have a fender jazzmaster noir special that I have used on all my songs to date. I love that guitar. I have a special connection to my 12 string acoustic guitar, my parents bought me that for my 21st birthday. I don’t have many guitars to be truthful. I have a fender p-bass, a fender jazzmaster, my 12 string and an epiphone 6 string acoustic. I’d love to have more but my wife would kill me. 

You’re already releasing music as a solo artist. Do you plan to return to working in a band, or do you now see your future exclusively in a solo career?

Solo. I write too many songs, and get bored of the older ones quite rapidly. When you are in a band you have to stick to a setlist and play that bunch of songs all the time, which makes perfect sense. I just can’t do it. I was in a band called TNCS who are now 7 Bridges. I left them for that reason. So for the foreseeable future it’ll be just me. Although there is one song called More/Less that I will never tire of. I have got a band together to support the release of my album but I don’t think I’ll be in a full band again. It’s not for me. Also the way I write songs, doesn’t really suit the band perogative. I write everything. Bands normally like to write together. Which is fine but I like to do my own thing.

• Instagram