“Whilst there is always story told or a question asked in our music, it’s often delivered as a metaphor open to interpretation” – Introducing Seek Harbour

Major lineup shifts can be a deathblow for most bands. It’s not hard to pinpoint many an act who have succumbed to the uncertainty and confusion that arises with new members arriving and founding musicians leaving a project. Seek Harbour certainly aren’t one of these acts though.

Originally forming in 2019, Seek Harbour swiftly become a dotted band within both their native Kent scene and the wider national pasture in thanks to their earnest and impassioned approach to post-hardcore that harkened titans such as Casey, Being As An Ocean, Dream State and others of their ilk. However, what separated from their fellow counterparts both home and away was their inherent sense of dichotomy that permeated their material. Whilst post-hardcore has long been a genre reversed and revered for it’s sense of melodic intimacy and abrasion, this young act seemed to grasp this dynamism from the very onset of their career in thanks to fluidly organic dual vocalist dynamic.

Across the band’s first smattering of standalone singles, they demonstrated a unison of both anger and depression, optimism and despondency and longing and isolation with nothing but finesse. Their 2022 debut EP Far From Home was a testament to such an ability, and it appeared that nothing that jeopardise their momentum and trajectory. Then 2023 happened and the band almost broke up.

Whilst the minute details regarding the catalyst of the situation are unimportant, the end result was clear; the band had lost their prolific sense of vocal dynamism. The consecutive follow-up to Far From Home – which was already written at the time of the lineup shuffle – was suddenly left to sit unheard in a hard drive. Such a blow could and would spell the demise for most emerging acts of Seek Harbour’s stature. Thankfully, the band re-found not just their footing, but their sense of vocal dynamism with new co-vocalist Aimee Allin, a voice who refracted perfectly with original vocalist Edwin Hall.

This was a fact perfectly demonstrated in late 2023 with the release of their de-facto comeback track ‘Skin Vs. Chrome’, a track that not only stood as the proof of their established consecutive momentum, but as documentation of the dichotomy that lies at the crux of their output. With Allin’s vocals elegantly complimenting and contrasting against Edwin’s – and vice-versa – the single explored the nature the juxtaposition and contrast, and how such discrepancies in life are constitutional to our own personal tales of growth. ‘Emotion Vs. Motion’, the band’s new single, only highlights this to glaring degrees.

With ‘Emotion Vs. Motion’ out now, we got in touch with Edwin Hall to chat about the band, their new lineip and what is set to their biggest year to date.

For those new to Seek Harbour how would you briefly describe the band?

“We are a 4-piece Kent-based band who have different musicial backgrounds that came together to create, almost unintentionally, alternative-rock with pop choruses and the occasional heavier section. We have been compared in similarities to bands such as Dream State, Hot Milk, Deaf Havana, Kite Thief and so on.”

Musically and topically, what are your primary inspirations?

“Speaking for the whole band is difficult as we all have very different inspirations as our drummer comes from a heavy metal background, us singers from a Paramore and You Me At Six influence, the guitarist from bands such as Floya, Being As An Ocean and Alaska with a bit of John Mayer guitars thrown in there. Topically we like singing about subjects close to our heart. Vices, relationships and even man vs. the machine aspects. We write our lyrics almost subjectivity so any listeners can take the song and interpret it how they wish and apply it to their own lives. We like this as anyone can connect with the music and us.”

You just released your new single ‘Emotion Vs Motion’, how are you feeling about the release?

“We are so very excited to release this particular track. Its a track which has Aimee now featuring in the chorus to get a chance to really show off the power and dynamics she has behind her raw vocals. Its a very emotional sounding track instrumentally as well. We are hoping this track really resonates with people, it is definitely a big one.”

The track seems to be one of your most vulnerable tracks to date. What’s the message behind the song, did it’s creation bring any catharsis?

“We do like tracks to be subjective to the listener – having said that people tend to always listen to songs and think of loved ones. Partners or even friends and family. This particular track is written in the style of how past relationships can hurt you, leaving you with emotional scars, but without that pain or lesson we cant grow as people or feel like we are truly alive.”

The track also comes following your last single, ‘Skin Vs Chrome’, which was something of a comeback track. Looking back, what was the release of the track like, where there any anxieties from releasing the track after a line-up shift?

“There was of course an apprehension of releasing a new song with a new line-up but we were also equally excited as we were confident in the song and the bands new sound. Although it is rather different than what we originally planned, we feel the reception of the new song went well.”

How have you managed to navigate the line-up change that took place last year, was it an easy transition?

“Unfortunately it wasn’t very easy. The line-up changed whilst we had a new EP recorded and ready to release. It was a real world-shaker. We spoke about keeping the melodic-hardcore aspect of the band and even just having me being the only singer. We realised we wanted to keep the dual-vocal style that people got to know Seek Harbour for and after a bit of discussing thought we would shake things up with a female singer. We almost gave up a couple of months later and were almost about to leave the EP to gather dust, until Aimee reached out to us through a simple Facebook group post near our area. We then of course had to redo photos, recordings and other things. It wasn’t as smooth as we would have liked but its definitely paid off.”

You’re also set to release your new EP this year as well. What can listeners expect from it and the band in 2024?

“We do have two more songs to come after this one too. They’re in similar taste to the first two Skin vs. Chrome and Emotion vs. Motion but have their own flavour to offer. We may also have a guest on one, but thats all Ill say.”

Finally, what do you want people to take away from your music as a whole?

“I guess it’s open to interpretation. That’s the beauty of music isn’t it. Whilst there is always a story told or a question asked in our music, it’s often delivered as a metaphor, and therefore open to interpretation. I guess if our art can provoke a response, whatever that maybe – then we’ve done our job. Emotions are by their very nature specific to the individual, but if there’s moment, or a lyric in a song that people enjoyed then that’s a good enough takeaway for us.”