Undertow /w Bara Hari

Greetings, I hope you all well. I had a conversation with dear Bara Hari to know her a bit further. She is a musician, visual artist, burlesque, sew and have many more skills. According to me, Bara swims to the undertow to challenge her inner stampede. Now and then, embreathing is insufficient to feel alive all alone. We have to imbibe how to breathe whilst drowned. Now, mute your scattered thoughts and listen to the white noise..

(Courtesy of Bara Hari)

(Courtesy of Bara Hari)

Can you please introduce yourself to our readers who may not know you yet?

Bara Hari: My name is Sam Franco but I am known by my artist name, Bara Hari.

Can you describe your muse?

Bara Hari: There is always a muse with me. It just changes form. I never really have a shortage of ideas. I am constantly filling my head up with visual inspiration and that informs my audio creations as well. I think that’s why I take interest in so many artforms. I would definitely get burnt out if I only focused on one!

Music is always embed to subcultures, by extension new sub-genres constitute. How dark/synth-pop carved its form of musicality?

Bara Hari: Honestly, I don’t really think there is a such thing as a subculture now. I feel like with the easy accessibility of music now, it’s becoming more common for people to discover and consume different kinds of music.

Unlike when I was growing up. I had to have friends recommend artists to me or sit and listen to internet radio shows curated for certain genres. Dark/synthpop is completely mainstream now.

Look at artists like Kim Petras and Miley Cyrus, they’re making music like that and it’s still considered pop because of who’s making it.

(Courtesy of Bara Hari)

I believe touring is the foremost cause of uncommon memories. Do you have an interesting tour/concert story?

Bara Hari: Sadly, I have never toured. Hoping that changes soon but touring is extremely hard for artists at my level.

Did you have the moment to quit music, If you had that, how did you recover yourself?

Bara Hari: I always think about quitting music. I love the artform but it is true that it is one of the most competitive and aggressive industries one could choose to be a part of.

I’m pretty sensitive so it gets to me easily. But I always seem to come back to it. I still feel like there is more left in me. In a sense, I am barely getting started on my best work.

About consumerism, nowadays, we tend to over-consume rather than slowing down and uplift the quality. Is this case applies to music as well?

Bara Hari: Oh absolutely. I am well aware that we need to adapt to the times but I notice that songs are getting shorter and that albums are becoming somewhat obsolete and losing the battle against the influx of singles and playlists.

Personally, I consume music both ways but nothing compares to a solid album. I feel that they will come full circle just like physical records and tapes did.

I assume some part of you belong to fashion, your photoshoots are truly artistic and compelling. Do you like to merge your multidisciplinary channels with fashion?

Bara Hari: I learned how to sew by watching my mother sew growing up. It wasn’t until my mid-20s that I really started applying myself at garment construction and I quickly learned that it was one of my favorite artforms.

I’ve always loved elaborate costuming but never had the budget to buy or commission anything so I had to learn to do it myself. I’m thankful that I taught myself because I always have a vision for my photos and videos and it has come very much in handy to be able to make the costumes myself.

(Courtesy of Bara Hari)

Other than music, you are also a visual artist expert. Do you think there is a notion or concept which is beyond visuality?

Bara Hari: Dreams are really hard to convey. David Lynch is one of the few people I have seen execute that “dream-like” feeling properly because in reality, dreams are usually not that pleasant.

They’re awkward and confusing and usually very uncomfortable. Dreams are more of a feeling than they are a visual experience.

If Bara Hari was a creative fashion designer, what kind of fashion line would she be into?

Bara Hari: Oh it would be so incredible. Very romantic and dramatic. Lots of big sleeves, long trained skirts, lace, bustiers. Imagine if Stevie Nicks became a vampire.

Based upon your efforts throughout your career, do you meet your expectations?

Bara Hari: Absolutely not. I am extremely hard on myself but every now and then I have to take a step back and give myself credit.

I didn’t start making music till I was 27 and then there was a pandemic (still is.) I also live with an autoimmune disease so it’s a wonder I even do as much as I do.

I am suffered from anxiety for a long time. Books & music cured my disorder, yet still have impacts which I hid from others. How do you cope with your anxiety?

Bara Hari: Oh man, I am the worst person to ask that question to! I suffer a LOT from anxiety. I haven’t really figured out a way to deal with it yet.

I just know I have to constantly keep my hands busy and put my ideas somewhere because my brain never stops. I think the best thing for anxiety is journaling and automatic writing. Just writing whatever comes out of your head as fast as you can.

Do you still remember your first-love?

Bara Hari: Yes! We are still friends. I am very fortunate that it was a good experience.

Would you like to say anything to your 60 years old self?

Bara Hari: I don’t like to think that far ahead ;)

Would you like to say anything to your 15 years old self?

Bara Hari: It doesn’t get better, you just get smarter.

(Courtesy of Bara Hari)

Credits

Bara Hari’s Instagram Page: @bara.hari

Bara Hari’s Bandcamp Page: barahari

#music #darkarts #musician #barahari #syntheticpop #postpunk #visualarts #pop #darkaesthetic #darkvisualarts