We had the good fortune of connecting with Cole Worley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cole, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind the current successes of my music right now would probably have to be the “Dont Stop” Mentality..or rather the drive /relentless nature to prove to myself that I can. A common phrase where I grew up was always “Keep your head down and keep working but never get too high and never get too low..remain neutral” and that is something I have taken with me throughout my daily life. No matter the current “Failures” or “Successes” you have to keep your head down and stay the course. I think “Success” is subjective and very personally contextual dependent on who you ask. To me personally..”success” would be defined as doing what I love whilst not sacrificing my own individuality in the process. But ultimately at the end of the day it will always be the listeners/viewers that are the key and most important factor.. in not only my success but anyone who creates. I will always be so forever grateful to the ones that listen to my music and give me a chance.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My support system is everything to me. They say when starting anything ..rather it be a business, or band, or solo music career, etc. that it takes a village..and how right they are. I am so very proud of not so much myself as much as I am my village. Don’t get me wrong I’m proud of my work ethic and driven nature.. because I do work hard, but my village is what keeps me humble and directional. I couldn’t do this without everyone I have around me. I know so many amazing artist/videographers/photographers that absolutely blow me away in their craft, and are so eager to lend a helping hand when possible to further Harlen as a project. I want to surround myself with like minded individuals, that will constantly motivate and push me to get better at what I am doing. I feel as though getting the “village” is easier for some than most..but even then once you’re surrounded by talented individuals that will help pool their talent into your project..what do you do? I asked myself this a lot.. and sadly there is no step by step instruction manual on how to get “recognized” with your art. I was fortunate enough to start a band (Snowblind) with my best friend a few years back after coming from a solo background beforehand. We went through these trial and error steps together ..of how to go about getting shows, doing promotions, booking little tours, and doing features, etc. This is all after you have the songs written of course. So once the band days with Devan and our drummer Timothy Philips (who we met through playing a duo show at the Vinyl in Atlanta, Ga.) concluded..I decided to continue to write music solo, though this time I had experience with a band under my belt and knew the direction I wanted to take and somewhat how to get there. I’m still trying to figure a lot of this out and its so much trial and error, but I will say the hardest part is starting and just putting yourself out there. After being in a band for nearly 3 years and splitting…it was heart crushing because I felt as though it was so much time..just gone, but thats the furthest thing from reality. I was able to learn so much through the experiences we had and am able to implement that into what I am doing now, and am honestly grateful for the result. You are constantly evolving as an artist..new sounds, new territory, new styles etc, and through this I have learned to just enjoy the process and change until your heart is content with your content. You will have to throw ideas at the wall sometimes for years..until one sticks..and for me Harlen is it. I want the world and people that may be interesting in perusing music..that money isn’t the answer, and do not let the insecurities/illusion of others lead you to your own failures. If most musicians were in it for the money, we would have all dropped out years ago..its a daily hustle and people will dog you for it.. People will talk so poorly about what you are doing that it will make you second guess yourself.. and your choices. Harlen is a mix of every single band I have ever listened to .. merged into an open diary..I am real with myself in all of my music, and intern I am real with all of my supporters/listeners and that will never change.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I like this one. I would definitely take them to Cherokee, NC. I love silent serenity. Cherokee is a slice of Heaven. In a camper on the river at the Eljawa campground. Heres how I would map a day out. Wake up around 9:00 Am to make some cofee and sit by the river and talk about life. Go tubing/swimming down the river around lunchtime when its pretty hot outside Cool off afterwards and eat a PB&J for lunch (always best after being in water) Go into town to browse the shops and get some walking in until around 4 or so Head to the local Japanese bar till bout 5 Then take Skateboards to the local skatepark and skateboard until..ehh..7 (its a beautiful park) Then around 8:00 we take the vehicle out and look for Bear and Elk along the Nature driving Trails After that we go to the casino with $20 each, get some drinks and test our luck (I never gamble with more than I’m willing to lose) Going to Cherokee has always been one of my favorite places because there is no cell phone service and you are alone with nature..but if you are in the mood to go and watch a movie at a local theatre or go to the local casino for some drinks and such, there is always that option. It is a beautiful place and I would definitely check it out if you have never been.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people to dedicate this to. Honestly I feel like anyone that I have ever been in contact with over the past 9 years has played a role within what I am currently creating because they have pushed me in one way or another to keep pursuing and do better. My best friends to name a few : Devan, Drew Nick, Tyler (both), Jacob, Shane (Adopt3d) All of these guys have always been so understanding in the process and wanted nothing but the best for me and my music and have been there for me in ways that I cant even explain. They have pushed me in ways I would have never pushed myself. Both artistically and personally. They helped me understand to never get to comfortable, yet branch out as much as I can and not stick to one genre or discredit myself and my craft. Thank you guys. I love you. My Parents Chris and Emily Always believing in me, no matter the circumstances. They have taught me so many valuable life lessons that I talk about/utilize when pursuing my successes through music. I am forever grateful for them both. I love you guys. My Brother Derek I could have added this as a best friend because he truly is one of my best friends. But my brother is my go to guy. I always call him and we discuss current goals/Achievements. We set milestones together and just talk for hours about where we want to go and how we plan to get there. I always send him un-released tracks to get his feedback and he has just always been there for me at my worst and understands me in ways no one else could. Thank you man. I love you My Girlfriend Jessica. She truly understands the long hours necessary as well as the over pouring all of myself into my music. She constantly pushes me and helps me with ideas as well as takes all of my photos for my record covers, etc. She is honestly my rock in not only this music stuff, but all of life in general. She is so supportive in all that I do, and I couldn’t thank her enough for that. Bands: This has no limit. This is a shoutout to any band I have ever played/will play with in the future and past when I was with my old outfit: Snowblind as well as Snowblind itself. I have to shoutout Devan and Tim for being such great bandmates until I moved to this solo realm of things. I couldn’t have asked for better individuals to travel and play shows with during that time of my life. I attribute so much of my personality and music that I am writing today to being in Snowblind. This was a beautiful time of my life and I met some of the greatest individuals through that experience and this is a shoutout to ALL of them. Thank you guys. A lot of records/Artist Bon Iver, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Lydia, JuiceWrld, LilPeep, Guardin, Relient K, Alesana, Amber Run, Ben Howard, Augustana, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Cage the Elephant, Capstan, Cory Wells, Dance Gavin Dance, The Dead Weather, Dawn Golden, Foals, Foxing, Gregory Alan Isakov, Gus Dapperton, The Hives, The Killers, The Kooks, Nothing Nowhere, La Dispute, Local Natives, Lund, Mac Millers, Mayday Parade, Paramore, Movements, Novo Amor, Oh Wonder, The Paper Kites, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Rebelution, The Shins, SOJA, Sturgill Simpson, Thrice, Turnover, Whirr, Wildcat! Wildcat! I guarantee you, if you like any of these we would be best friends. From the bottom of my heart I genuinely thank every single one of you on the list so much for influencing me in ways I doubt you understand. You all mean more than the world to me and I love you all so much. But I also thank everyone on any social media platform that has every encouraged me to keep going and listened to my music. Seriously. I cant express my gratitude enough. You mold me. Thank you.

Website: linktr.ee/harlenmusic
Instagram: instagram.com/xharlenx
Facebook: facebook.com/xharlenx

Image Credits
Jessica Faith Daniel

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