Q&A: Combining Confession With Upbeat Sound, Harry Teardrop Evokes Nostalgia and Growth
BLENDING DIFFERENT GENRES TO MAKE FEEL GOOD TRACKS— Harry Teardrop, the musical moniker of 21-year-old Harrison Li, continues to build up a discography of endearing tracks. His most recent release, “My Funny Girl”, can’t help but make you smile and has a nostalgic quality to the beat that can also be found in his break-out hit “Chinatown.” It reminds you of days that are “other,” the good ones and the bad. Vibrant drums, smooth guitar, and sweet lyrics are a few things I associate with Teardrop’s work, with each track bringing these elements together.
Teardrop knows that his music will sound different to every ear and that it will resonate differently with everyone. Even Teardrop himself feels different from the music he released years ago as he has grown both as an artist and individual, something to be expected from a younger artist. Teardrop has so far released two EPs, one in 2019 and another in 2020. The latter, $2 Bill, was completed during the tumultuous year that was 2020 and reflects Teardrop’s thoughts and emotions throughout the year.
As things have opened up Teardrop has kept busy by working on new music, getting back to shows and finishing up his time in college. With plans to release another track by the end of the year, Teardrop is ready to finish the year off strong. Read below to learn more about his creative process, how he’s grown as an artist overtime and more.
LUNA: First, congrats on the release of “My Funny Girl” this summer! Can you explain a bit about how this song came to be?
HARRY: Thank you! I started the idea in April when the weather started getting warmer. Spring in New York always makes me want to make happy, feel-good music. This year especially — when things started reopening it just felt like there was a special energy in the air. I wanted to run with that moment. I actually finished writing it the night I moved into a new apartment, on a mattress on the floor with boxes scattered around. I’m happy with how it came out — it makes me think of new beginnings.
LUNA: What made you want to start creating and releasing music?
HARRY: Ever since I can remember, I always wanted to make music. I started playing drums when I was five, and started writing songs when I was 12 or 13. Music always made me feel like I was escaping to an imaginary world. I feel really lucky to have found something I’m truly passionate about. As for releasing music, I didn’t put much thought into it at first. I started out on SoundCloud in high school and would be so stoked to even get a couple hundred listens. One night in 2017, I was with my friends, Ally, Jimmy (James Ivy), Caleb, I think. I drunkenly picked up a guitar and started playing “Chinatown” and they were like, “Dude you should put that out!” [and] I was like, “Okay! If you say so.” Since then, over the past few years, I’ve been trying to find my style, experimenting with different sounds to see what feels best for me.
LUNA: How would you explain your “sound”?
HARRY: These days I’m less focused on pinpointing my sound, because I think it’ll sound different to everyone depending on what their reference point is. And I like to give each of my songs a little bit of a different flavor. I listen to so many different genres and I like to borrow from all of them. I used to care more about making something new or innovative, but I think as long as it comes from a genuine place, that’s all that matters. That’s the long-winded answer though. Usually, when someone asks, I just say “pop music with guitars.”
LUNA: How did you pass time during quarantine? Did you find yourself feeling more creative?
HARRY: Other than finishing $2 Bill and the video for “Ryley,” I wasn’t as productive as I would’ve liked to be, but I learned a lot about myself, which is just as important. Being forced to slow down and reflect made me grow as a person. I spent a lot of quality time with my close friends that I cherish. I also picked up skating again, which always gave me a good excuse to go outside and get some fresh air.
LUNA: How are you feeling about concerts opening up up and the opportunity to perform again?
HARRY: I’ve only played two shows back so far, but they were both so fun. The first one was in July, opening for Jean Dawson; Junior Varsity. The line outside was like three or four blocks long, I think. It was surreal. It felt like everyone in that room was just so excited to be there. And then the most recent one was at the end of August, my first time headlining Mercury Lounge. Jimmy opened, my best friends were playing in my band, my parents were there, and we sold it out, too! It was a really special night that I’ll always remember. I think the next one’s gonna be on my birthday — on Halloween — which would be insane. I feel really grateful that I get to play shows again! I love it.
Collage By Drake Li
LUNA: As a younger artist, do you still resonate with the music you released earlier in your career?
HARRY: Not really. I barely recognize the person I was at 17/18, let alone the music I made. But each of those songs take me back to a specific time in my life, and I think it’s cool that my progression as an artist is public. Even if they don’t represent who I am now, I’m happy that I can look back on those times if I ever feel like it.
LUNA: You have worked alongside Drake Li for many of your projects — does that relationship inspire your creative and artistic decisions?
HARRY: Drake’s definitely my closest collaborator and I feel very lucky for that. Working so closely with someone I literally grew up with is such a blessing. He always gets what I’m going for because he knows me inside out. He’s also just insanely talented so it’s always a lot of fun being able to bounce ideas off of him. A good chunk of the songs that are gonna be on the project are songs we made together. It’s really helpful for me to be able to step away from the computer or the guitar for a second and just focus on what I want to say. Some of my favorite lyrics I’ve written are in the songs that Drake produced because I was off in another part of the room, writing in my notebook.
LUNA: As a writer, producer, and mixer, do you have a part of the music-making process that you enjoy the most?
HARRY: I like them all for different reasons, but I think writing lyrics will always be my favorite. It’s also the part that’s usually the hardest because I have to allow myself to be vulnerable. But there’s nothing more satisfying to me than finding the perfect way to say what I want to say, especially when it rhymes!
LUNA: How do you begin to write a song — what inspires you?
HARRY: I feel like I rarely write a song about anything specific in mind. It usually comes out of me as a confession, almost like a diary entry. I’d say the thing that inspires me the most is just the constant motion of everyday life. The sounds of sirens and empty bottles clinking in the trash, strangers’ conversations. That stuff makes me want to write.
LUNA: Can we expect more music to be released this year?
HARRY: I hope so! I’d love to put out at least another song or two before the year’s end. I don’t know what the plan is yet cause I’m still just working on finishing music and I’m also trying to graduate from college. But I would love to. Who knows?
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