Australian artist Harts shares new track '21 & 19' - premiere

Indian-born artist has drawn comparisons to Prince and Lenny Kravitz

Australian multi-instrumentalist Harts has shared his funky new single "21 & 19", which you can hear first via The Independent.

The Indian-born, Australia-based artist, born Darren Hart, blends funk, psychedelia, rock and blues for a heady, mellow sound that draws immediate comparisons to the likes of Prince and Lenny Kravitz.

Harts said of the track: "21 & 19" is a song written about regret and self awareness. A bad memory or time period in your life that you want to let go. The tune and melody bring back nostalgia for me as the music was written around the 2013/2014 Offtime/Daydreamer album period.

"At the time I didn't complete the song, not knowing where to take it or what to make of it. I revisited the track last year and completed the lyrics. Because of that, I feel it's a cool mix of old school Harts and the new direction."

Check out the track below:

Q&A with Harts

What are you listening to at the moment?

I’m currently in an old school RnB/Hip Hop loving phase at the moment. Listening to a lot of playlists of late 90s / early 00’s jams. I’m loving it.

What are your plans for 2018?

I’ve been working on a lot of new music. There will be a new album out later this year. Maybe two! I’d also like to do some shows in the U.K at some point, so I’m hoping I get the opportunity to do that this year as well.

What was the first gig you ever played and what’s been the best so far?

I played Drums in a garage rock band in high school. The first gig we did was a very small pub in Melbourne. I remember getting a bit too excited and I ended our set by kicking over and wrecking my drum kit, Keith Moon style. The 12 friends in the audience enjoyed it.. But the venue, not so much. Luckily didn’t break anything though.

Contrary to that, the best gig I played was in Brisbane last year. It was the last show of my headline album tour in Australia and we filmed it for release. The audience was great that night and the band and I played a great show. The whole thing is up on YouTube to check out.

21 & 19, the new single from Harts, is out on 30 March