While it’s easy to pigeonhole Harlette as a rock band, their sound reaches further depths than any one single genre. From melodically driven, in-your-face vocals that conjure cramped basement gigs, to booming drum and bass that put you front row centre at a stadium, Harlette pack an unbridled sonic blend of styles into everything they create. The one true constant throughout is the infectious and unflinching energy they bring, and on their debut single ‘Gemini’ (via 745 Music), Harlette delivers.
“The inspiration for ‘Gemini” is my twin sister,” says Martina Lake, Harlette Singer/Songwriter. “I wrote it at a time where I felt very lonely but was also aware that I’ve actually never been alone. Whether it’s literally coming into this world with another person or dealing with relationships – she’s always been there. I’m definitely a person who needs a companion…or several. I don’t like being alone and this song is my way of saying I’m okay with that.”
Harlette’s story began in 2011 when singer/songwriter Michelle Owen was introduced to engineer/producer Steve Kirstein to record music for her previous band. The music landed her in the 2012 “HTZ FM Rocksearch Competition”, where she competed against guitarist/producer Jay Emmons and his band, the now world-famous multi-platinum, two-time JUNO Award winning rock band The Glorious Sons. Emmons and band went on to win the competition, but the two kept in touch, and in 2017 Owen joined The Glorious Sons as tour manager, travelling across North America, Europe and Australia, and meeting Martina Lake (Emmons’ partner) in the process.
Spending hours together traveling around the world, Lake, a natural poet, began sharing her work with Owen. The two bonded over their love of songwriting and cannabis and began writing what would become Harlette’s first songs. Fast forward to today and ‘Gemini’ marks their sonic debut via 745 Music, a multi-service music company founded by Owen and Emmons.
“What resonated most with me about ‘Gemini’ was the attitude,” shares Owen. “It’s the first time I’ve recorded an original song from someone else’s perspective, and I’ve learned that I love it because I can have a hard time articulating my thoughts into words. It was definitely an A-ha moment for me, I was used to writing alone and when we all started collaborating, I realized ‘I don’t need to do everything myself’. Martina is a vocab goddess!”
Recorded at Burnett Studios ‘Gemini’ builds on Lake’s introspective lyrics and is layered with grimy vocals, unforgettable hooks and massive guitar tones introducing Harlette – a tour de force of modern rock best heard at full blast.
