Harleymoon Kemp has revealed the key advice her parents gave her before launching a career in music. Her parents may be music royalty, but Harleymoon Kemp has found success in her own right. With her dad being Spandau Ballet's Martin and her mum Shirlie of Wham and Pepsi & Shirlie, it was inevitable that Harleymoon would inherit an incredible singing voice.
Growing up surrounded by some of the biggest names, with George Michael as Shirlie's closest friend, Harleymoon was never far from success. And success is exactly what she's found, amassing thousands of followers thanks to her catchy country tracks, including My Girls (Love Me Better).
Musical Influences and Family
But what exactly did she listen to growing up? "I grew up listening to artists like Alanis Morissette," Harleymoon told the Mirror. She went on to say: "As a kid I used to tell my mum to close the windows in the car because she'd be singing Alanis lyrics so loud, I'd be embarrassed people would look at her."
"My dad would play bands like AC/DC, or we'd have something smooth like the Sade album on in the evening." However, the singer admits that her parents' musical style hasn't influenced her too much. Harleymoon explained: "I don't think their style has influenced me, but their love and passion for music has."
"Music was something we were always surrounded by - it was like eating or drinking - just part of your daily life to listen, play or sing and enjoy music. Music is such an amazing way to express how you feel and I'm so glad our parents always had that open mind and creative attitude, which inspired both me and Roman."
Parental Advice
The Back In Tennessee hitmaker revealed that the advice her parents gave her growing up is still etched in her brain. "Just be a kind person to everyone you meet and work hard at your dream," she said of what her parents instilled in her.
With both Harleymoon and her younger brother, telly presenter and radio DJ Roman Kemp, carving out their own careers, during our chat, she shared advice for anyone looking to launch a career in music.
In recent years, the music industry has faced major shifts, with the rise of digital streaming platforms rather than physical CDs and, most recently, TikTok as the new way for artists to build a fanbase and market themselves. Harleymoon said: "Do whatever you love because success is not for other people to decide."
"Success is being fulfilled with yourself and finding your own happiness. Just stay true to what you love and really work on it. I think being able to understand and find your audience is important too."
Upcoming Festival and Inspirations
In August, Harleymoon will be heading to The Long Road Festival, alongside the likes of The 502s, The Shires, Olivier Hazard and headliners Bailey Zimmerman and Maren Morris. For Harleymoon, it's a no-brainer, with the festival being the closest the UK is to experiencing an authentic Nashville country festival.
She said of her excitement: "I am so excited; the Long Road is the closest thing to a real Nashville American festival - authentic homegrown country fans know this festival is the real deal!"
And it will be a full circle for Harleymoon, playing alongside Maren, who actually inspired her to follow her dreams and release her own music. Speaking about the To Hell & Back singer, Harleymoon said: "This year, Maren Morris is playing, and honestly, I am a huge fan."
"I played her Hero album on repeat for a whole summer. She was the artist that inspired me to release my own music. She had such a great country/pop cross over and loved how she broadened the listeners. I'll be in the front row when she's playing!" Harleymoon revealed that she would love to collaborate with Maren, who has her "hook, line and sinker".
Building a Setlist
But just how does she build her setlist for festival performances compared to headline gigs? Most artists lock in their setlists weeks in advance. However, Harleymoon admits that things can be switched up depending on how the crowd are feeling. She explained: "I feel I really have a good judge of playing to the audience... And (much to the stress of my band), I do like to swap the set depending on how they feel. Is the sun shining? Are they all holding drinks or are they sitting... my set is generally a party, and I’m dancing, pretty much the whole time, lost in the rock n roll of a band, but I also do a lot of storytelling."
"When I was in Nashville, I discovered the 'songwriter rounds' where everyone tells their story or punchlines/anecdotes before they play the song, and it drew me in. I was hanging on every word to hear where the song was going to take me, so I incorporated that into my show. Some bad dates and heartbreaks that turned into good songs, so everyone knows the backstory of the song before you have even started playing! Country songs are so much about telling our story, so I like to bring the audience in on the journey, even if it's sometimes an overshare."
Country Music's Rise
In the UK alone, we've seen a huge surge in the popularity of country music, with artists such as Beyoncé and Post Malone introducing the genre to millions of fans. "I think country as a genre has been experimenting more with pop production and wanting to compete in mainstream radio, so songs like Miles on It (Marshmello and Kane Brown) or I Had Some Help (Post Malone) and artists like Post Malone, who are hitting the crossover market, are introducing everyone to these great country playlists," said Harleymoon.
She also raised the question that people may be missing "real instruments" in an industry flooded with electronic tunes. "To hear real guitar slides, real drums and lyrics that feel like you're watching a movie, just sets my soul alight again," she added.
Personal Growth
In August, Harleymoon will be celebrating her 37th birthday, and over the years, she admits she's learned to embrace vulnerability rather than always sharing her positive mindset. She said of her upcoming birthday and the biggest lesson she's learned about herself: "Yes, and I am a Leo girl, so I love my birthday, and I draw it out as much as I can!"
"I am learning to be more vulnerable - I am naturally very positive and would rather laugh about my problems than hold onto them, but I'm realising that being vulnerable at times and allowing more space for that softness is also just as powerful as being strong."
