SafeUp with Harry and The Chicks
Say hello to Harry and The Chicks! This UK-based music group is dropping music with a moving and all too familiar message behind it. Harry and The Chicks’s new single “Snakes in The Streets” depicts their experiences with street harassment from stalkers and cat-callers alike. Her outspoken and informative tone when addressing these topics is refreshing and reminds women everywhere that they are not alone in their experiences. But most importantly, that men should do better and steer clear of predatory behavior. You will love Harry and The Chicks just as much as we do! If you are interested in their newest single, “Snakes in The Streets,” their work with SafeUp, an app that keeps women safe, or their upcoming projects — “Miss Oblivious”, please continue reading the interview below!
Where are you based?
I’m based in East London, UK!
How did you know creating music was for you?
I’ve wanted to be a singer since I was around three years old, and I’ve never seen my life going anywhere without it. I remember being in year one and my teacher giving out a list of occupations asking us to tick what we wanted to be. I said, “my job is not there!” She tried to demand me to just pick one, but I created my own box instead, and I’ve been that forthright about it ever since.
Can you tell us about your new Single “Snakes in The Streets“?
‘Snakes in the Streets’ is about my experiences with street harassment, catcallers and stalkers.
How was “Snakes in The Street” first conceptualized? Was it after a bad experience of your own?
Initially, I wrote the song about my experiences with being stalked by some of my peers whilst I was at school, but then on my way to and home from the studio whilst writing it, I was catcalled 14 times, so that gave the music video its narrative, and showed things haven’t changed much.
What does the music video for “Snakes in The Street” illustrate?
The music video follows my friends and I on what should be a journey to a good night out, but on the way we are harassed multiple times by different people. You see us beginning happy and excited, and then deflated by the end. All of the incidents portrayed in the music video really happened to us, and we were even catcalled on set. Yara, who wears the jilbab in the video, was approached the most times out of all of us on set by strangers, and one man even lifted her dress! It shows that it doesn’t matter what we wear, we are catcalled and harassed simply for existing as women.
It's unfortunate that we must educate girls on how to avoid sexual harrasment, do you have any must have tips for protecting yourself on the day to day?
Unfortunately, this has happened so often to me that I don’t know if a person approaching me on the street is genuine or not anymore. I went on holiday a week ago, and a beach towel boy who wasn’t in uniform approached me by saying ‘Hello, where are you from?’ and I quickly walked away, but then he approached me again and said ‘don’t worry, I’m not random, I work for this beach’, which was reassuring but embarrassing for me because it happens so often that my flight response activates almost straight away when I’m approached.
I use the app ‘SafeUp’ if I’m feeling uncomfortable walking alone as there are ‘guardians’ you can call who are all women that are trained and vetted to help you walk home safely, they can even meet you, or call the police if something major is happening.
The problem is, we shouldn’t be teaching women how to protect themselves, we need to teach generations of people to not harass and catcall on the streets.
What genre do you consider your music?
Pop! I’m influenced by artists such Katy Perry and Marina and The Diamonds.
Are there any musical genres that you would like to dabble in, in the near future?
I really like making pop music, my heart is with rock, but I probably wouldn’t stray far from those genres, although I am open to it.
What is your target audience? Who do you hope to reach, and how do you wish they interpret your music?
I think people who love pure pop like Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Marina and The Diamonds would enjoy Harry and The Chicks. Lately, I’ve been hoping to reach fans of West Ham United. I have a dream to play the team anthem ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’ at London Stadium. I’m a lifelong fan of the club, and I want to build my fanbase alongside them, as I love the community my club has. I also make fashion, and anyone who likes new romantic / ‘softgirl’ fashion might enjoy Harry and The Chicks, as the clothes my mum and I make are with giant puffy organza and satin sleeves. I hope people interpret my music as fun and uplifting, yet poignant in message. I like to make pop music with purpose.
SafeUp is an app you are currently working with which alerts an online community when you are in a potentially dangerous situation. What is your role with the app, and how did you first get involved?
I was following many anti-harassment pages when I was experiencing a lot of street harassment. Whilst I was doing this, SafeUp followed me, and when I looked into their page I was floored with their idea of having an app that helps women walk home safely. I contacted them about collaborating, and they said yes! It’s been brilliant to help others whilst working on this single, and I intend to keep collaborating with them in the future to help make the streets safer for everyone.
What countries can SafeUp be used in?
All countries, but it was founded in Israel, and is just rolling out here in the UK and the USA.
How do you use SafeUp?
It’s always there on your phone, and you can open the app and call up a vetted guardian who will stay on the phone with you until you are home, they can even meet up with you or phone the police if needed.
How do you deal with anxiety? Can you tell our readers advice on how to cope with unwanted emotions?
I’m no psychiatrist, but I find penning my anxiety can help me reflect on my feelings and come to terms with them without panicking, or making rash decisions.
What is your advice for someone feeling uncomfortable while walking the streets?
Download SafeUp and know the guardians there have got your back any time of day. It’s made me feel so much more comfortable than I did before knowing I have a lifeline on my phone.
Do you have any more upcoming projects coming up that you can share?
Yes! My next single Miss Oblivious will be out on June 24th 2022 everywhere! Following on from Snakes in the Streets with a more light hearted matter, Miss Oblivious is my alter ego. I wrote Miss Oblivious when I was 14 years old. She’s naïve and obsessive, in unrequited love. I’ve played this song at every gig since I can remember, so it’s about time it’s released. All my new songs talk about my anxiety in some way, and this one is all about wearing your heart on your sleeve, and how the public torment from fancying someone so overtly can be so embarrassing!
What is a professional or personal goal for 2022?
I want to play West Ham’s London Stadium during a game (manifesting).
What is one hope for humanity?
That we start seeing each other as people and not objects. I’d love for street harassment and catcalling to end so we can walk home freely and safely.
Have you gone back to “normal” post covid?
Yeah, I have been gigging all over London again, which is great. I also have my online shop now where we sell handmade to measure Harry and The Chicks merchandise internationally, which is a great asset for my music.
What is your motto in life?
Don’t just dream, do!
Please follow Harry and The Chicks on the platforms below:
www.harryandthechicks.com
www.youtube.com/harryandthechicks
Instagram: @harryandthechicks
Tiktok: @harryandthechicks
Facebook: @harryandthechicks
Twitter: @harrythechicks
Photos by Elena Torrano.
