#Risingartist: Color in our storytelling, we chat with Jennie about her song The Fool

Photo by Isabella Morton

Calgary native Jennie Harluk unveils her new music video for her latest single “The Fool”, out now. “The Fool” is a quirky contradiction on its own - melodically, it is characterized by cheery shreds of silvery guitar chords that rollick with playfulness as Harluk’s croons stretch over the bouncy production, yielding a waltzy ambience. But once her listeners dissect the lyrics, they can’t help but notice the swelling heartbreak that captures the unglamorous aftermath of a breakup. Swinging between moments of serene introspection and cathartic outbursts, “The Fool '' unleashes any residual anger and sadness through an empowering, cheery groove that beckons its listeners to let go.

We had the chance to chat with Jennie about the new song and video. As well as talk about her own superpower to see color when hears. You can see the whole interview up on youtube or above.

Speaking of the song, Harluk shares: “‘The Fool’ was a song I needed when I wrote it. I think for me my best songs come when I’ve finally passed or moved on from particular situations. This one was after a breakup, I was so so sad and I think this song let me release some leftover anger and feelings and emotion - and tie it all together with a bow to let go of and move on. Being a songwriter is kind of funny like that, I wouldn’t recommend dating us. We write songs for you & then we write songs about you … but all for the love of music and good lyricism!”

Shot by her friend Isabella Morton, the video is largely inspired by her synesthesia - a condition where the activation of one sense triggers another unrelated sense at the same time. In Harluk’s case, when she listens to a tune, she sees certain colors. “‘For The Fool’, the colour was a deep elegant green, cream, and deep red. I saw textures like hardwood floors, flower petals, the burnt auburn colour of liquor. I had a clear vision for everything from the photos to the promo to the video. And Isabella Morton helped me capture that perfectly,” she shares.

Photo By Isabella Morton

“The Fool” is the follow up of her latest single “Blame It On Me”, which was released back in July and has already garnered praises from the media for her ability to deliver emotionally raw narratives with unfiltered honesty and introspection. For both tracks, Harluk teamed up with Sam Jackson Willows (Ruby Waters), who helped her co-write and produce, as well as Joseph Salusbury (AKA Joseph of Mercury), who also worked as co-producer. When it comes to her style and genre, Harluk is a maverick who is always looking to push boundaries and venture out to new sonic territories. Her talent has led to sessions with renowned producers around the world including Nathan Ferraro (Virginia to Vegas), Derek Hoffman (Juno-nominated producer), Andy Park (Ariana Grande, Neon Trees), Giordan Postorino (LOLO), and songwriter Ali Milner (GRAE). “The Fool” is a glimpse into her upcoming EP, which will be arriving in 2022. 

ABOUT JENNIE HARLUK:

Although Jennie Harluk’s songs rely heavily on her long-time love of straight-up storytelling, the Calgary-based singer/songwriter is less concerned about her music fitting neatly into a genre than ensuring it sinks deep into the heart and soul of her listeners.

For Harluk, music runs in her DNA. Her earliest influences can be attributed to her father, who is an accomplished artist and performer himself. From the age of two, she was bouncing to AC/DC in her jumping chair and by the time she turned 10, she was already performing regularly and writing songs. “I didn’t start writing using instruments. I just wrote using melodies and words in my head,” she explains. “I only learned guitar a few years ago,” she adds, “just to have something I could bring to gigs and support myself."

Since then, she’s continued to hone all aspects of her craft and bring equally impressive performances to the stage and the studio, along with an ability to infuse her music with emotional weight and lyrical depth well beyond her years.

Over time, Harluk has played at a wide range of events and venues including Country Thunder Festival, various Calgary Stampede events, local coffeehouses, and all-age venues. Harluk has also spearheaded the development of a local concert series of her own called Country Night Live, which she co-hosts, performs at, and showcases the talents of other artists to support local charities.

Regardless of whether she’s writing from personal experience or pure observation, performing solo or with lush instrumentation, the impact is just as captivating. On record and on stage, Harluk’s approach is never about striking a pose - it’s about warmth, honesty, and connection. For Jennie Harluk, music isn’t so much a career choice as a lifestyle, a daily blessing, and her truest means of expressing herself.