Harry Cleverdon, a young and talented local artist, has recently launched his new album “Survival” to impressive success. What began as a casual creative project over two years ago has now turned into something far greater, with Survival already nearing 150,000 streams within just a month of its release. Survival is a unique blend of country and pop and is catching the attention of music lovers, thanks to its authenticity and Harry’s unwavering commitment to his craft.
For Harry, the journey to this moment has been both long and unexpectedly rewarding. He said, “It’s been a while coming, honestly, I started writing these songs about two and a half years ago. It all began casually, just writing a song or two for fun, and before I knew it, I was diving deeper into the project.”
What started as an exploration of country music, a genre Harry is connected to, grew into a full album. “I never really set out to make a country album at first,” Harry explains. “But once I started writing, it just felt natural to move in that direction. Being from the country, it wasn’t something I had to force it felt authentic and true to who I am.”
What sets Harry’s album apart is its sincerity. “I didn’t want to just jump on the country music bandwagon,” he said. “I wanted to stay true to my roots and create something genuine. I didn’t try to mimic the American accent or make it sound like something it’s not. I just wanted to make music that felt real and relatable.” This authenticity is perhaps Survival’s biggest strength, and it’s something that’s resonating with fans. Since its release, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. “It’s been going really, really well,” Harry adds with a hint of excitement. “I literally found out today that it’s almost at 150,000 streams in the first month. I’m surprised, but also really grateful that people are con-ecting with it.”
One of the key reasons behind Survival’s success is Harry’s hands on approach to its creation. While he worked with experienced producers, including Rick O’Neill of Turtle Rock Mastering in Sydney, Harry did much of the work himself. “I recorded, wrote, and even produced the album myself, along with the help of some great collaborators,” he shares. “It was important to me that Survival remained organic and real. Everything you hear is created using real instruments nothing is synthesised or electronically manipulated. I wanted it to feel like something you could jump up and play live without relying on any fancy tricks to make it sound modern.”
As Harry looks back on his journey, it’s clear that this album represents far more than just a collection of songs. It’s the culmination of years of musical exploration, starting from his childhood. “I’ve been into music as long as I can remember. When I was about four, I was given a keyboard and just started learning songs from the songbook that came with it. My parents saw that I had an interest in it, so they put me in lessons. I can see how valuable that training was. It gave me a good foundation in music theory and helped me with the more complex aspects of songwriting.”
Over time, Harry picked up more instruments, including guitar, and began honing his skills as a singer songwriter. However, it wasn’t always clear to him that music could become a career. “At first, it was just a hobby,” he admits. “But over the years, I became more serious about it, and now here I am, releasing my music.”
For Harry, creating his new album wasn’t just about making music; it was about staying true to his artistic vision. “I didn’t want to follow trends or do what everyone else was doing. I wanted to make something that felt like it came from the heart. This album is me.”
The support Harry has received from his local community in Young has played an important role in his success. He launched Survival under his own record label, Lambing Flat Records, which not only supports his music but also works to promote other local talent. “It’s been amazing to have the support of my hometown,” Harry says. “There are a lot of talented artists in this area, and I want to do my part to help showcase that. It’s about building a community of local musicians and supporting each other.”
Harry does not show any sign of slowing down, “I’m already working on new material for my next album,” he reveals. “It’s a bit crazy because I just finished this one, but I can’t help myself. I love songwriting, and I’m always looking for new ways to challenge myself.”
Despite the momentum he’s built. Harry remains humble and focused on the music. “I don’t really know what the future holds. I’m just going to keep writing, keep performing, and see where it takes me. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do this, and I just want to keep making music that feels true to who I am.”
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