Harry Kappen’s ‘Cool Down’ : Feel Good Pop-Rock Track

Harry Kappen is a Dutch rock musician with a zeal that manifests as energy, emotion, and power. He drives his soundscapes with feel-good grooves and upping beats, bolstering messages of hope, love, positivity, and passion. His artistic style is staunchly authentic as he explores moments, experiences and encounters from his personal life. Contemplating on them, he lights a fire in his listeners, drawing them along as he thinks and feels. 

His latest release is ‘Cool Down’, a pop rock track that is excited by disco beat grooves, 90s alt rock pulse, and a strong riff army. The baritones are immersively narrative, powerful and easy to get into. As the basslines and beats grow and multiply, the vocals and melody lines are spectacularly driven up pushing towards a transcendental climax. Listen Now! 

1. Congratulations on the release of ‘Cool Down’. It is a dynamic and eccentric pop rock track that keeps you on your toes. Both instrumentally and vocally. What inspired the creation of this track and what do you want your listeners to take away from it ?
   
   Harry: After the previous single 'One life', which was a ballad, I think it really was time for an up-tempo song. As usual with me, the music usually comes before the lyrics, and so that’s the case here too. I usually get inspired by the news and events around me. The combination of overheating due to our busy lives and the literal overheating of our earth seemed like a good subject. Once I have a topic the song comes quickly, as also does the lyrics video that goes with it
   ( youtu.be/5EuNjH1wpw8 ). It speaks for itself, I think.

2. We see a lot of references to 20th century rock artists. And then there’s your interpretation of it as well, forming side by side. Who are some of the artists that drove you towards your style of music.
   
   Harry: I am influenced by the artists of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Through bands such as Chicago, Pink Floyd, Beatles, Deep Purple via David Bowie, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Prince to Radiohead, Motorpsycho and Knower.
   I grew up in Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands. There was a lively rock scene in which I actively participated and of course I was also influenced by fellow musicians there (Koop Hofman, Hajo Francken, Andre Salters, my sister Hanneke! ). But I have a broad interest in many types of music, including classical and folk music. Soon I was making my own music and I think that, despite all the outside influences, I certainly kept my original personal style and essentially haven't changed that much.

3. Contrary to the title of the track, the composition is designed with a lot of heat. How does one appreciate this contrast and how do you think it shapes the theme ultimately?
   
   Harry: In order to cool something, it must first be heated. We are all in that situation now. I feel like that calls for an uptempo song. The haste that many experience (look at the burn-out figures) and the rising temperature on earth is the undeniable factual starting point, cooling down is hopefully in the future.

4. What were some of the creative challenges that came with the track?
   
   Harry: I’ve used a lot of guitars. I'm a guitarist by trade, so in that respect I played a 'home match'. I enjoy doing the puzzle that I had to put together during the process of creating the song; finding the balance between acoustic and electric, between digital and analogue, accentuating the necessity of the subject through an alarming slide guitar and synth (perhaps inspired by Heroes by Bowie?). And then the lyrics of course. But I have not encountered any insurmountable challenges. I love the process and take the time to do it.

5. All musicians find resonance to a genre pretty early on in their life. What about the rock genre appeals to you? And how does it spark your creative vision?
   
   Harry: As I said I have been influenced by many styles and types of musicians, being in an environment where rock music predominated I was quickly drawn to the guitar. (Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Jeff Beck, ACDC etc). Almost all the songs I write now start with a riff or chord combination on my guitar.
   But because in addition to being a musician I am also a music therapist, I have learned to play many more different instruments (which is necessary to be able to connect with my clients). As a result, I am increasingly guided by atmospheres and feelings. And they are created by also using those other instruments as a source. Improvisation is the main inspiration.

6. Can you tell us a little about some of the projects/ releases that you have lined up for the near future?
   
   Harry: ’Cool down' is a single from the full album 'Time will tell', which was released at the same time. Now it is only available via my website www.harrykappen.com in the form of music files plus a PDF file for the lyrics. But during the year it will also be available on all streaming platforms. Of course I prefer to sell via my website, because I still earn a little from it, via Spotify it yields very little. I'm very proud of my album. In my opinion the best album I have made so far. But the music making and composing continues and I have already selected new songs for the new album.

   Furthermore, I have been nominated for various awards this year such as the International Red Carpet Awards, the Josie Awards and the Issa Awards. Very inspiring to receive recognition from fans and colleagues. At last I should definitely mention that I am well supported by my management from Pittsburgh USA: MTS-management group. For now I will continue and you will probably hear from me in the very near future.

Check out their X!

The track is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music! 

You can listen to ‘Cool Down’ by Harry Kappen here -