In Conversation with Harry Fowler: Wunderhorse, Solo Work, and…Rock Climbing

One evening last week I had the pleasure of speaking with Harry Fowler, the supremely talented guitarist for the English rock band Wunderhorse. Two years ago frontman Jacob Slater, whom he had known since the age of 14, called him up, asking if he would be interested in being the guitarist for the band he was forming, and thus, Wunderhorse was born. Now, Harry sits on his bed in a t-shirt with a pair of Audio-Technica headphones, talking to me as I too am sitting in my apartment (though in a chair in my living room). He is your cool, casual, 25-year-old. Naturally, I prod him with questions, pleasantly surprised by his endearingness and introversion, and too by his love for and removedness from music, how he is both driven and nonchalant. In short, I am struck by his duality. But, I am getting ahead of myself, per usual.

Harry’s take on being the guitarist in a rock band whose success is increasing at a widly rapid rate is humbling, as it seems that Wunderhorse’s popularity has affected him almost not at all. To my surprise, when I ask about the changes from when, two years ago, they were playing 50-person venues to now performing for thousands, he says he hasn’t really thought about it: “I think we’re all pretty driven people, and as surreal as it is, it’s kind of a part of the plan at the same time. I don’t think it’s really affected us or the music the band makes now.” It is here that I would like to interject that I was 1/50 of the attendees at their show in the basement of Soho’s Third Man Records, right at the front in my tweed skirt and matching blazer worn over a wool sweater like a true rock fan. I would also like to note that as I was walking home alone that night, weaving through the eclectic bustle of Soho (don’t tell my mother I did that), I decided it was a goal of mine to interview one of the boys. Because let me set the scene–lavender lights flush them something ethereal in their leather boots and baggy jeans, with guitar riffs and strikingly emotive lyrics, the energy with which they performed was captivating. Now, those 50 people have become some few thousand, the stage five feet tall as opposed to the leveled floor of the record store.  

Some things, have, however, inevitably changed since the formation of the band. When I ask how he’s grown in the last few years he pauses, contemplating the answer, saying it’s a hard question he hasn’t given much thought to before. This is when he explains he has become more grateful, more reflective. He says that whilst being on tour “you realize what and who you miss from back home. I don’t take things for granted.” Again, it is humbling to know that, reflecting on how he has changed, he concludes that he now possesses more gratitude. Despite the larger venues and bigger crowds, Harry is adamant that performing is not his favorite part of the music process. He shares that everyone in the band is introverted to different extents, and for him, it is writing that is the most enjoyable. “It’s a magical experience,” he says, adding, “that’s really not the word I wanted to use but the only one that comes to mind at the moment.” Writing offers a separate space, removed from noise and the rest of the world, starkly contrasting the energy of their concerts. Though he explains that shows are entirely different from writing, he does note that several songs on their second album came out of their previous support tours with Fontaines D.C. and Pixies– “There are a couple of key songs that are on the second album that were birthed around touring with those bands.” Now, headlining their own shows no doubt also presents a wealth of inspiration for new music. 

Harry also embarks on solo projects, which originated, like for so many, out of the limitless empty time that lockdown provided. He casually offers that his individual work might come out next year, but that he is not keen on performing the songs, as they are particularly personal. Priorly, my friend Aditi and I curled up on her couch one chill-ridden evening, watching the black-and-white videos of him playing ‘Gameboy’ and ‘Perfect Colours’ in a studio, sat with his guitar and similar black headphones. I noted back then how intimate his performance was, how, was he to tour his solo work, I could imagine him sitting on stage simply with his guitar perched on his leg and a microphone, as the music itself is evocative enough. He also says that he is not explicitly pursuing his individual projects at the moment, as he wants to “complete his guitar journey” with Wunderhose in the way that he dreamed of when he was a hopeful nine-year-old captivated by music. Understandably, also, Wunderhorse takes up most of his time at the moment, so solo projects have thusly not been his utmost priority presently. 

If you weren’t a musician what would you be? I ask, expecting him to ponder the possibilities. Instead, he answers without hesitation–“I would be a climber. I would just climb all the time. That’s the thing that takes me away from music. It’s a balancing act. I try to climb as much as possible but when it’s touring… it’s hard to get the balance of those two things.” He explains that he needs “multiple things to be obsessed with”, and that he does not love music all the time; sometimes he doubts it–which is reassuring to hear as someone who doesn’t know if she can commit her entire life to one passion. Music has always been, however, a part of his life. When he was growing up he dreamed of being a guitarist, but, at 18, and again at 22, he was not sure if it was the direction for him. The call from Jacob to join Wunderhorse, of course, changed that and set him on the clear path he is now: performing for thousands of eager fans across Europe who scream the words along to ‘Teal’ until their throats are scratchy. 

And, as usual, lastly, I ask: If you could go to a concert of any artist or band who has since passed or no longer performs, who would it be, and what song would you want them to play? Being a guitarist he naturally first says Jimi Hendrix, and that he could play any song and he would want to witness the performance. He furthers by suggesting Nick Drake, and that he too could play any song. Radiohead also makes the list, but this time he specifies that he would want them to play ‘How to Disappear Completely’. Finally, he says Joni Mitchell (and that any song would do). “You asked me for one and I gave you four answers, sorry”, he says with a laugh, still thinking of who he would add as fifth to the list.

Listen to Wunderhorse’s debut album ‘Cub’

Watch ‘Perfect Colours’ & ‘Gameboy’