Mako Radio interviews HARIZ

By Alex Hernández and Daja Long •

Indie-alt-pop singer-songwriter Justin Hariz, better known as HARIZ, is a passionate 26-year-old from Los Angeles. HARIZ began his musical journey when he learned to play classical piano, drums, and guitar at 4 years old. He then ventured into other creative outlets, including songwriting, originally at California Institute of the Arts. Eager for this craft, he joined a songwriting camp outside of college. He successfully composed and released “OVRBRD” in 2017, which secured him the opportunity to break into the music scene and perform at live shows with JVKE and Jake Miller as an opener. The young artist is developing a new album rumored to be released in 2024. HARIZ stopped by Mako Radio for an exclusive live interview about the inspiration behind his eclectic artistry, his latest music, and an exhilarating tour of which he was a part.

Here are the excerpts from Mako Radio’s interview:

Alex Hernández:
For those of you who don’t know HARIZ, not only is he a classically trained pianist, but he’s also been given awards for other past musical accomplishments. Can you talk about the history of HARIZ?

HARIZ:
Yeah, I started writing songs and as I did more songs, I presented them to people within the industry. Eventually, I went to an ASCAP writing camp. I ended up getting my first actual songwriting award. I think it was called the Harold Adamson Lyric Award in pop music for 2017 or 2018. That was cool, and it jump-started my career. This got me into a room with big artists and songwriters.

Hernández:
What are some musical influences from the past or the present that make you HARIZ?

HARIZ:
There’s a good amount from the ’70s and ’80s, but classical music isn’t much of an influence on what I’m doing now. It rather gives me a structured basis of music theory. The rest of the musical influences come from every genre. I grew up in a house that always played music, even though my family’s not in the industry at all. Influences like Lionel Richie, the Eagles, REO Speedwagon, Nirvana, Rihanna and Maroon 5. I mean you name it, and it was playing throughout the house. It was pretty much everything. Had I not listened to a variety of musical influences, I wouldn’t be where I mentally am as far as music.

Hernández:
I feel like all of us have a soundtrack that represents our lives. What soundtracks best represent your life?

HARIZ:
I would say “Hotel California” (is by far one) by the Eagles, “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd and “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5.

Hernández:
What is your message or goal as an artist to the world?

HARIZ:
My highest-tier goal is to make people realize how interconnected we are emotionally, spiritually and mentally. No matter how diff erent we may appear or seem.

Hernández:
I think it is important for a creative individual to want to explain the interconnectedness but also highlight the experiences people have, especially for this age group. Now, let’s talk about upcoming things going on for you.

HARIZ:
Yeah, I’m going on a super fun tour with Jake Miller, who is a super cool guy with a great team. I also have a new song that will eventually come out called “Without You.” I’ve been able to play the song on the current tour. It’s been fun to play it and get a taste of how everyone likes it.

Hernández:
Is this a summer anthem or a fall-season starter?

HARIZ:
I think it’s a little bit of both. I think it’ll carry out the summer. If I’m imagining seasons as a relationship, summer is when you start feeling freer whereas winter is a cozy-up cuddle with someone vibe. Then people break up earlier in the following year and the summer is when you realize you’re doing so much better without the person. Which is kind of the essence of the song.

Hernández:
I see how fast you’re growing as an artist. I just saw clips from the JVKE (artist) tour: WHAT TOUR FEELS LIKE that you’re on. It seems like it’s out of this world. Not a lot of people get that type of reception.

HARIZ:
I feel super honored and blown away at the fact that everyone has been so loving. I’ve done other tours where I feel like I’m really fighting for an audience. This is because I know that they’re there for the headliner. During my live shows, I’ve focused on trying not to just be someone who sings to the audience. My shows are very interactive. I’ll teach you the words if you don’t know them. I’ll have you moving around or dancing. Whatever it needs to be for the half an hour that I’m on stage before Jake (JVKE). Props to Jake for letting me do this. It feels like it becomes my show then his show and that’s super amazing. My goal is to provide some solace for everything that might be holding or weighing the audience down.