Harrison Craig plays the Brisbane Convention Centre on Friday May 09. TOM’s very own Brendan Dousi caught up with the singer for a chat. Here are the results!

TOM Magazine: Thanks so much for chatting with me today.

Harrison Craig: That’s ok, no worries at all. You’re welcome.

TOM Magazine: So, You’ve been a very busy man lately. Firstly I’d like to talk about the album you dropped last month, L.O.V.E.? What has your experience been like releasing your second album?

Harrison Craig: Look, it’s been really just great. Making the album from scratch, it all started in October of last year, I started to put a track listing through and it’s just come along so well. Being able to have that creative control on it has been really, really nice. I’m just loving the album, it’s in the top 10 of the ARIA’s right now and just doing really, really well. I’m really thrilled. And, you know, on Friday I start my Mother’s Day show and it’ll be great.

TOM Magazine: It sounds like you had a lot of creative control over the album. How involved were you in particular?

Harrison Craig: Yeah, I started with a track listing of about 53 songs and I had to narrow it down to 13. So, that was hard but I got there. You know, just knowing the tracks that you want and the versions you want to do, how you want to do them and how you want to make it your own. It was just great.

TOM Magazine: Was it a hard process for you having to narrow down the track list?

Harrison Craig: I think that once I got the tracks all sorted, I really knew how I wanted to do them.  But, for me, I was just really wanting to put my own creative flick on it. I tried to do that so for me just being able to put your own twist into was really, really nice. I think that it’s a nice growth and progression for me as an artist, aiming to grow into the artist I want to become.

TOM Magazine: Were there any particular influences involved in making the album?

Harrison Craig: You know, I think I drew from the older world stylings of Nat King Cole and Andy Williams. Mama Cass and Marvin Gaye. Just the unbelievable versions of all these tracks. I really drew from that. Plus some more contemporary, popular music as well.

TOM Magazine: Is there any particular song that you’re closer to or is your favourite from the album?

Harrison Craig: I think for me, my favourite track would need to be ‘Because We Believe’. It’s such a beautiful, strong and incredibly passionate song. It really encompasses what the album is about and what I stand for. I think it’s a great track and for me I’m really close to that one. I really like it.

TOM Magazine: Is it true that you made this album in dedication to your Mother?

Harrison Craig: Yeah, that’s right. Making the album and just looking through all the tracks and everything, I just came to the conclusion that last year my family, particularly my Mum, were a huge part of my journey and I didn’t get to properly say ‘thank you’  to her. So, for me to be able to give her a record that is hers and is for her that really encompasses what I’m about and what she’s about was really, really great.

TOM Magazine: That’s really sweet of you. Do you know if your Mum has a favourite song on the album?

Harrison Craig: I think hers is the ‘Angels’ track, she really loves that track. She has a feeling towards it, a connotation that’s unique to her and she’s just thrilled with the album. She started crying when she heard it.

TOM Magazine: It sounds like the best gift you could have given her.

Harrison Craig: Yeah, I think so. Haha.

TOM Magazine: Do you know what’s coming next; is there another album in the works?

Harrison Craig: I’m deep in writing right now. Working so hard writing and getting my own creative juices flowing, just working hard on that. I’m already starting to work on another record, not quite up to the stage of planning how everything will work but it’s definitely in the works. I want to make it incredible.

TOM Magazine: So you’re looking to do more original pieces next?

Harrison Craig: Yeah, I think so. It’s very much a goal of mine to be the kind of artist that can write incredible tracks but also do incredible covers. That’s what I’m after.

TOM Magazine: So, not only do you have another album out, you’ve also got a series of Mother’s Day Shows coming up. What can we expect from you in the shows?

Harrison Craig: It’s going to be a really sleek but playful, really tender show for your Mum. It’s a real appreciation for the love, not only that you have for her, but for your family, your friends, your partner and just for life. It’s not often enough that we can appreciate love. People often take that for granted and, for me, it’s really important to remind mums, daughters, families, partners, friends how much that you love them and care for them and that they are unique to you. But for the actual show, it’s going to be really sleek and smooth, great to watch and great to listen to. A viewing and sonic experience for everyone there.

TOM Magazine: You’ve definitely got a theme going on here. You must have very deliberately named your album; L.O.V.E.

Harrison Craig: Absolutely, for me that Nat King Cole track totally sums up everything. “L is for the way you look at me…” A track like that can be taken in different ways, whether it’s from the husband to the wife or anyone to anyone else, you know? It’s just so beautiful and rich and just works. It’s lovely to sing.

TOM Magazine: Will you only be singing songs from your album in the show, or can we expect some others to make it in?

Harrison Craig: Right now the show is really an experience that you only get by going to it. So, from that, definitely there will be tracks off the album but I’m also planning to get some really cool other songs that you can only hear if you’re there. It’s just going to be really, great and I’m so excited for it.

TOM Magazine: With all of these shows and your album just coming out you must be travelling quite a lot, are you feeling a little bit homesick yet?

Harrison Craig: No, no, no, travelling and doing what you love and meeting all of these incredible people, what more could you ask for? It’s an incredible life to have and to be afforded that by my incredible supporters, that’s just incredible. Being able to travel, not only around Australia but the US and Europe, that’s just amazing. I just wrapped up a gig in France, that was incredible. I flew two days to get there, spent four days there  and then two days to get back. I would trade it for anything else. The life you get to lead is just incredible and it’s all there because of your hard work and because of the incredible fans you have and the support of your label and friends, family. It’s just incredible.

TOM Magazine: Do you have a favourite place that you’ve been to yet?

Harrison Craig: We went to Gustavia which is in the French West Indies. It was so beautiful there, just incredible. But no matter where you go, they all have their pros. I don’t think I’ve found my favourite place yet, but I do love Europe. The US as well, come on, it’s amazing.

TOM Magazine: You’ve been running solo for now, do you think collaborating with other artists in on the horizon?

Harrison Craig: Yeah, I definitely have quite a few plans to do that. From what I’ve got here and organising now, it’s just going to be really big. Right now I can’t say too much. It’s just going to be awesome. Some really big names.

TOM Magazine: Is that what’s next for Harrison Craig? A bit more collaboration, perhaps working on an original album?

Harrison Craig: I think right now there’s quite a lot in the works. Moving onto new projects, tracks, working around the world. Touring, writing, recording. It’s all there, it’s just what order you’d like to do it in. For me, I’m too excited, I can’t really decide.

TOM Magazine: A lot to choose from! Just while we wrap things up, just some basic questions I like to ask everyone: What’s your favourite song right now, what are you listening to?

Harrison Craig: I think my favourite song right now is probably “Magic” by Coldplay.

TOM Magazine: Are they your favourite artists as well? Who would you say is your favourite artist right now?

Harrison Craig: They’re definitely in my top 10. My favourite artist right now, I probably have quite a few; Coldplay, Pharrell, Phoenix… tons of bands. They’re all great.

TOM Magazine: Last question I like to ask everyone: What’s your favourite film?

Harrison Craig: My favourite film is between, oh- no! That’s what it is, it’s Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. It’s such a good movie, I love it. So good.

TOM Magazine: Excellent choice! Looks like that’s all we have time for. Thank you so much for talking to me today, Harrison. It’s been a pleasure.

Harrison Craig: No problem, man. You’re welcome. Thanks for your time.