Hiya Harry Pentony, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
Thanks for having me!
Tell us a bit about where you’re from and how you got into music?
I’m a Leicester lad, born and raised, and I’m still living in the Leicestershire area now. I got into music from a very early age.
My parents weren’t musicians, but they absolutely loved music, so it was always playing in the house, on car journeys, on the radio, music channels on TV. What really grabbed my attention were the late nights watching KISS in the living room with my dad. He’s a huge fan, collecting vinyl and travelling overseas to see them live. From those days, I just thought, this is the coolest job in the world, I want a piece of that.
I gravitated towards the guitar, started learning in school, and by the age of 11 I was already performing and writing music in bands.
What’s the live music scene like in Leicester right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
Leicester has always been a bit of a goldmine in my opinion. We sometimes get overlooked in the Midlands compared to Birmingham and Nottingham, but the scene here is still strong. There are lots of great venues in and around the city, although we sadly lost The Shed this year, which was a real touring staple.
On the positive side, there are loads of artists to look out for, Mouth Culture are smashing it, and The Mercians too, both have taken that next leap, which is inspiring to see. Deiah Marie is one to watch as well, she supported me on my recent debut headline show. There’s honestly too much talent to name.
What are your ambitions as an artist?
The goal is simple, to create and perform music full time. That’s the dream. I love making honest music that connects with people. If I can do that consistently and build something real around it, that’s success to me.
What’s your favourite social media platform to use and why?
I’d say Instagram. It offers multiple ways to connect with people, DMs, stories, reels, ads, and it integrates well with Facebook too. It’s a great platform for discovery, both for new audiences finding you and for discovering other artists and creatives.
We believe it’s essential to have a presence on Facebook, Instagram and X to introduce yourself to all the different types of audiences out there. What are your thoughts on that?
Absolutely, I agree. There’s so much noise out there, everyone’s presenting their art, product or service. As an independent artist, it’s crucial to be visible in as many places as possible. It only takes one person to bridge the gap and change everything.
What’s your view on the music industry today?
It’s incredibly competitive, probably one of the most competitive industries out there. Technology is changing everything, how we produce music and how we consume it. In some ways it’s amazing, in others it makes things more challenging. Social media drives so much of it now, which can feel overcrowded and overwhelming as an artist. This industry always adapt’s, it’s always changing…
What are your thoughts on AI-generated music?
It’s interesting, but dangerous from a creative perspective. As a tool, I can see where it might have benefits to a certain extent. But for me, I love the songwriting process. I love not knowing how I’ve gone from the intro to the outro, it’s a subconscious journey. Songs take their own path.
I crave something real. Music should feel deeply human. I want to hear what people have truly created and expressed. AI can imitate, but it can’t replicate lived experience. I think if more people knew they were consuming AI music, they might feel differently about it. For me, keep it real.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned recently as you progress with your music?
Consistency is a big one, releasing often enough and staying present. We’re in an oversaturated market and music is consumed quickly now through TikTok, reels and shorts. Attention spans are shorter, so you need to stay visible.
But at the same time, trust your gut. Don’t chase trends. Good music is good music. It’s easy to think you need to do something completely different, or copy what already exists because it works. That’s a trap. Focus on making the best music you love. Do it for you. Build something honest and true, and the rest will follow.
What’s currently in your ears and on rotation at the moment?
I’m really digging Quarters at the minute, a prog/indie rock band from New York. My drummer showed me them and they’re super talented. I’ve also been listening to more pop-leaning stuff like Clairo, Carol Ades, and Dirty Blond – “Empty of You” is a beautiful song. Older Coldplay, U2 and Biffy Clyro are always in the daily mix too.
Got any fun or funny stories from life on the road?
In previous band projects plenty! I once lost my left Converse trainer at a petrol station in London. It somehow fell underneath the van while we were filling up. I ended up playing the next show in my hometown of Leicester only noticing when I arrived at the venue. I had to ask my parents to bring a pair of shoes down to the venue…
My nan lived nearby and went back to the services to retrieve it and posted it to me, bless her. When it arrived, I’d lost the other shoe. Typical. It still makes me laugh.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Yes, I do. I’m currently working on a new track called “The Darkest Night”, hopefully releasing at the end of March or early April. We’re just finishing recording before moving on to mixing and mastering. It has a similar emotional thread to my latest record, “Remember Me.”
This one is in honour of a friend who sadly passed away last summer. It’s probably my most emotionally charged song to date. I’m excited, and nervous to share it in his memory. I miss him a great deal. There are more songs in the pipeline too, and I’m back in the studio writing as we speak.
What was the recording process like?
Recording is always a joy. I’ve got an incredible team of great friends around me, they are super talented musicians and producers/creatives, I’ve known them on the scene for years. They push me to deliver my best performance every time. Each person adds so much to the songs. I’m genuinely lucky. These records wouldn’t be the same without them. Shout out to Kyle Palmer (Producer, Mixer), Kieran Langley (Drummer, Producer), Joseph Greenough (Bass) and Pawel Wietrzykowski (Media).
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
With “Remember Me,” I’m genuinely proud of it. Of course, you can always spot little things you’d tweak, but that’s the beauty of music. It captures a moment in time. I’m proud of what we created.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I’ve recently become a father, which is huge personal news. I feel incredibly blessed. This whole journey feels special right now. I’m in a great space in my life, it feels full, lots to express. I love music more than ever and I’ve grown so much as a person over the past few years.
I would like to say from the bottom of my heart a massive thanks to every promoter, fan and venue that’s supported me so far. And to you all, this is just the start. Welcome to the journey…
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