👋🏻 Hi, I’m Harley
I work remotely from my home studio in Ashland, Oregon, helping artists and producers all over the world breathe new life into their songs. I approach string arranging and recording not only as a cellist, but as a songwriter, and music producer.
I start by asking what the songwriting, performance, and production are trying to achieve. Only then do I think about what strings can do to help achieve that vision.
If you’re interested in working together you can book a call, or email me at [email protected].
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Rq6h4KqBPNmfmR5xnbRwg?si=ff4a9d6f6b6a43f3
When I was two days old, my mom put on a CD and I stopped breathing.
Not much has changed since then. I’ve had a lifelong obsession with understanding what makes music so impactful. Growing up in Hawai’i, I looked for answers in recordings, studying classical music, going to Celtic and Bluegrass jam sessions, and performing with Hawaiian musicians.
Since then I’ve worn many hats as a performer, songwriter, recording artist, multi instrumentalist, and music producer. Each of these experiences has informed the way I approach string arranging holistically, with the listener’s emotional response in mind.
Today, I arrange and record strings full time from my home studio nestled in the trees of Ashland, Oregon. I feel fortunate that I get to put that experience to use every day helping artists and producers like you bring your songs to life.
I’ve arranged and recorded strings on dozens of albums, and worked with artists and producers like Mat and Savanna Shaw (Billboard #1 Classical Crossover), Haley and Michaels (Top 100 Country Airplay), Jim Brickman (22 time Billboard #1), Joel Iglesias (Bad Bunny) Jordan Hart (Gold Certified Recording Artist), and Indie-Folk artists like Cujo Moon, Thomas LaVine, Luna Keller, J.B. Boone, Vintz Desert, and Genesis Ritchoot.
My work is regularly featured on AlexRainbird, Indie Folk Central, 7 Layers, and Indie Music Center, Spotify, and Apple editorial playlists.
“Harley's musical intuition is off the charts. He has an incredible feel for the emotive potential of adding strings to a song while unfailingly putting the song first. On top of all of that, he is hard working, kind and easy to communicate with. Give him a few lines to describe what you're looking for and watch him write a piece that serves the vision so well it will feel like it came from your own heart.”
— Jordan Hart (Gold Certified Artist and Songwriter)