Singer-songwriter Harmless released his highly anticipated sophomore album ‘By Them, By You, By Me’ in October. The album is described as a deeply personal breakup record, one that isn’t relationship-based, but with the music industry’s expectations and his own passion for creating. The project is of Nacho Cano, who experienced huge virality in 2022 with his song “Swing Lynn”. The song is from his album, ‘I’m Sure’ from 2012 track when he was performing under the name Twin Cabins. Cano experienced much pressure, most of it self-induced after that success and the new album was approached with the idea he wasn’t living up to expectations. He stated that the album is, “a record about rejection. It’s a breakup album, but about breaking up with your job. There’s this idea that labor is what validates you. My dream came true—so why am I not happy? Those are feelings that are very complementary to heartbreak. So, I wanted to write about my passion and falling out with it.”
Harmless spoke with B-Sides host Pete Mar in detail about making ‘By Them, By You, By Me’, the emotional toll of artistry—contrasting it with sports, where wins are clear, while music offers subjective validation and endless rejection. He spoke about drawing from immigrant experiences and personal setbacks, sports and more.
