What a treat … what a dream! Brian John Harwood has released a new single called “Hotter Than Summer”, and it’s a good one!
“Hotter Than Summer” comes in with strong and very catchy lyrics … It’s the perfect Summer song!
If Brian John Harwood looks familiar, that’s because you have definitely seen him before! As one of the members of the Canadian country brand Kansas Stone, Brian has been a prominent member of the Canadian country genre for the last couple years. And now he’s releasing music as as solo artist.
“Hotter Than Summer” has become one of the top Summer songs over here on the Front Porch, and you’re going to want to add it to all your playlists too.
The accompanying music video is also the perfect compliment to the song. It’s so fun, and features a few friendly faces! See if you can spot the cameos in the video below.
We had the chance to connect with Brian to talk about his latest single. We chatted about his writing process, the inspiration behind the song, and life in general. Be sure to check out the interview below, but first … listen to “Hotter Than Summer”.
Stream “Hotter Than Summer”
Watch The Music Video For “Hotter Than Summer” By Brian John Harwood
Interview With Country Artist Brian John Harwood
Front Porch Music: Thanks so much for joining us on the Front Porch Brian! We’re so happy to have you. Why don’t you introduce yourself to our audience. Tell us a bit about yourself, where you’re from, how your musical journey started, etc.
It’s my pleasure!
I grew up in Barrie, Ontario where country music has been my life for as long as I can remember. Artists like Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, and Alabama had a major influence over my entry into writing and performing.
I have been in this industry for over 10 years now with a couple of bands – Beyond Haven and Kansas Stone – and I am now taking on a venture as a solo artist.
Front Porch Music: Your new single “Hotter Than Summer” is really fun! Tell us the story and the inspiration behind this song.
The initial inspiration to write the song came from a “summer song” contest that was being held, but once we got into it we quickly decided it was going to be a full release.
There are few things that I hold close to me in life – my family, my girl, my dog, and the sweet sunshine of summer.
This song speaks to part of who I am in a really fun and energetic way and I hope it’s something that people can relate to.
Front Porch Music: The music video for “Hotter Than Summer” is really fun! It’s like a day of just hanging out with your buddies. It looks like you had a blast filming it. We also see some cameos of some familiar faces in there! Did you have as much fun filming it as it seems, and what was the day like?
Shooting “Hotter Than Summer” was a BLAST!
It really was as much fun as it looks. If you look closely you’ll see the Kansas Stone boys featured in it as a sort of homage to the band, my brother Joe is playing the guitar (& doing some synchronized swimming), and Dustin Bird (producer, cowriter) is featured in there as well.
It was HOT, and the pool was as refreshing as the cold beer and Noxx & Dunn rum we had to cool us down that day.
So If you ask me it was definitely a great day.
Front Porch Music: You’re a fantastic solo artist, but you’re also part of an awesome duo – Kansas Stone. Do you approach music differently when you’re writing a song for yourself, or when you’re writing music for Kansas Stone? How do you decide what’s a solo project, and what’s for the band?
The songs for my solo project speak to me personally, and the songs for Kansas Stone speak to us as a collective.
Building a platform as a solo artist allows me to create something that is uniquely personal to me. I absolutely love the sound of Kansas Stone and what we can bring to the table in the studio and a live setting.
There is a distinct separation for me when it comes to the songs I write for myself and the songs I write for the band. When I’m writing for myself there is no boundaries or limits, when I write for Kansas Stone I put myself in a different mindset and then bounce my songs and ideas off other band members.
Kansas Stone is “cottage rock/country” as I like to describe it, and my solo project has a very current pop/country sound with my own kind of Summertime 80’s vibe personal twist.
So it’s easy to separate
Front Porch Music: Speaking of Kansas Stone. Earlier this year you released a huge collaboration with 16 other Canadian country artists in a song called “Together We’re Strong”. This song was released at a time when the world seemed to need this message. How did this song come about, and how did you get SO many artists to sign on to this project?
I wanted to create something to help support our fellow musicians and industry members through the Covid-19 crisis.
I reached out to my friend and producer Dustin Bird and that’s when we started writing the song “Together We’re Strong”. It was a concept title that we wrote the song around, and I then began to reach out to some of my fellow musician friends in the industry to ask them to sing on it.
Dustin completed a preliminary production draft to send out, and we were shocked at how many artists were willing to participate. We released it with proceeds going to Unison Benevolent Fund and were overwhelmed with the support that we received.
I put together the music video and included as many people from the industry as possible. The Canadian Snowbirds also got involved via Capt. Jennifer Casey, and when we heard that she had passed away we were devastated. She was a huge supporter of the project and it wouldn’t have been the same without her.
The music video for “Together We’re Strong” is in memory of Jennifer. You should definitely check it out if you haven’t seen it.
Front Porch Music: What’s next for you? Do you have more music coming out soon, what can we expect to see from you?
I have been working tirelessly on new material to be released throughout the end of this year and into 2021.
I’m locked and loaded for some releases which I am INCREDIBLY excited to be able to announce in the coming months and I can’t wait to hear what people think about it.
Watch The Music Video For “Together We’re Strong”
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
