Jodie Harsh

Last updated
Jodie Harsh
Jodie Harsh.jpg
Background information
Genres
Occupations
Instruments Piano/keyboard
Years active2008–present
Labels Warner Records
Website www.jodieharsh.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Jodie Harsh is a London-based DJ music producer, promoter, and drag queen. [1] [2]

Contents

Career

Nightlife

Jodie Harsh adopted her moniker at the age of 18 when she moved to London for her studies at the London College of Fashion. [3] Her name is inspired by television personality and glamour model Jodie Marsh, and is intended to be "a piss-take of that naff celebrity culture, where people are famous for doing nothing". [4] She started exploring the drag scene and working in nightlife. She hosted her own parties at different venues across London, with her debut event taking place at Soho Revue Bar (now The Box). [5]

She founded the gay club brand Room Service in 2010, which was initially based in London but later expanded internationally. As a promoter for Room Service, Harsh booked renowned DJs like Honey Dijon to perform. [6] During these parties, she also began to DJ herself due to budget constraints for hiring opening act DJs. Harsh's reputation as a DJ grew, and she received bookings from various clubs in Europe and beyond, as well as fashion brand events. In 2016, she achieved further notoriety when she launched the party Dollar Baby in East London, where she was accompanied by her friend Lady Gaga on opening night. [7] [8]

In July 2021, Harsh launched club night Feel It in association with live music venue Omeara, [9] alongside Clayton Wright. [10] The club night has hosted sets and performances from acclaimed artists like Jessie Ware, Annie Mac, Eats Everything, Patrick Topping and Charli XCX.

Music

Harsh started writing and producing music a few years after becoming a DJ. She created remixes for various artists, such as Beyonce's "BLOW", Fergie's "LA Love", and Justin Timberlake's "Suit and Tie". Additionally, she produced The Night, an EP for Melanie C. Harsh then began developing her own artist project and collaborated with SOPHIE to co-produce the track "Secret (Shh)" for Charli XCX's Vroom Vroom EP. [11] Later, they co-wrote start's debut single "Tuesday". [12] Harsh released subsequent singles and an EP under her own Harsh Beats label, including "Don't Try Me", "Filthy Rich", [13] and "Beats and Pieces".

As the pandemic forced clubs to shut down abruptly in 2020, Harsh's DJ career came to an unexpected halt. This prompted her to venture into music production and release her own tracks, as well as to start livestreaming and podcasting. [14] [15] In November 2020, she unveiled her first single signed to a record label, "My House" [16] initially under Another Rhythm records, but later signed a deal with Warner Music UK. "My House" gained popularity and was played on Radio 1 Playlist for several months, becoming the top trending sound on TikTok, and featured cameos from 61 British drag queens in the music video, [17] including nearly every queen who'd been featured in both seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. [15] The dance track instantly became a post-lockdown anthem as clubs reopened across the country. [18] Harsh's subsequent singles included "No Sleep", [19] "Good Time", "Shock", [20] and "Hectic". [21]

Harsh has created remixes for several artists, including Sonny Fodera, [22] Kylie Minogue, [14] Years and Years, [22] Charli XCX, [14] Rina Sawayama, [22] Fatboy Slim, and Sigala. In 2021, she signed a major global publishing deal with Universal Music. [23] In 2022, Harsh was featured on the BBC Radio 1 playlist for her "My House" and her SG Lewis co-production "No Sleep". [14] In 2024, Harsh supported Troye Sivan on the UK/EU Something to Give Each Other Tour. [24] She opened for Sivan at the Wembley Arena in London on June 27. [25]

Book

In May 2024, it was announced that Faber & Faber has acquired Harsh's memoir You Had to Be There for UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) and audio rights. Scheduled for release in autumn 2025, the book details Harsh’s intense decade in 2000's London nightlife, capturing a liberated, pre-social media era. [26]

Other

In addition to her music career and DJing, Harsh is the host of "Life of the Party," a podcast that has completed two seasons so far. The show features interviews with a variety of guests from the music industry, including the likes of Fatboy Slim, Amy Lamé, Nile Rogers, Roisin Murphy, Joel Corry, The Blessed Madonna and Annie Mac. [20] [22] [27] [28]

In April 2016, Harsh appeared in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie , a 2016 film adaptation of the cult British television series. [29] She played herself in the movie, which also stars Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, and supermodel Kate Moss. [29]

In 2021, Harsh made a guest appearance on the third episode of the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK on BBC Three. [30] She also co-hosted an episode of BBC Radio 1's Dance Anthems, alongside Charlie Hedges. [31] [32] Harsh has also made notable appearances on radio shows such as the Essential Mix for Pete Tong's show [33] and on Radio 1's Mini Mix. [34]

Out described Harsh as "Britain's Best-Known Drag Queen" [35] and The Guardian characterized her "Britain's most famous drag queen DJ/friend to the stars" in 2008. PinkNews described her as "Britain’s busiest working drag queen" before Drag Race UK, [36] and BBC referred to her as a "staple of the UK's club scene for more than a decade" in a 2021 article. [15]

Personal life

Harsh was born in Canterbury, Kent. She attended the London College of Fashion. [37] While at university, she first adopted the persona of Jodie Harsh to make money through nightclub jobs and DJing. [37]

Discography

Extended plays

TitleEP detailsTrack listingSource
Beats N' Pieces
  • Released: September 2020
  • Label: Harsh Beats
  1. "Fascinating Light"
  2. "Paris"
  3. "Nerve"
  4. "Burn It Down" (ft. Rowetta)
[38]

Singles

TitleYearLabelSource
"Tuesday" (ft. SOPHIE)2019Harsh Beats [39]
"Don't Try Me" (ft. Vula)2020 [40]
"Filthy Rich" [41]
"Never Knew (L.O.V.E)" [42]
"My House"2021 Warner Records [43] [44]
"No Sleep" [43] [45]
"Good Time"2022 [46] [47]
"Shock" [48] [49]
"Hectic"2023 [50] [51]
"Celebrate"Harsh Beats
"Like It Like That"
"Hit Me Up" (ft. Bryn Christopher)2024
"Joy"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charli XCX</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1992)

Charlotte Emma Aitchison, known professionally as Charli XCX, is a British singer and songwriter. Born in Cambridge and raised in Start Hill, Essex, she began posting songs on Myspace in 2008, which led to her discovery by a promoter who invited her to perform at warehouse raves. In 2010, she signed a recording contract with Asylum Records, releasing a series of singles and mixtapes throughout 2011 and 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophie (musician)</span> Scottish music producer and DJ (1986–2021)

Sophie Xeon, known mononymously as SOPHIE, was a Scottish music producer, songwriter, and DJ. Her work is known for its brash take on pop music and is distinguished by experimental sound design, "sugary" synthesized textures, and incorporation of influences from underground dance styles. It would help pioneer the 2010s hyperpop microgenre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. G. Cook</span> British music producer (born 1990)

Alexander Guy Cook is an English music producer and the head of the UK record label PC Music. Cook released his first solo singles in 2014. He has also collaborated with PC Music artists such as Hannah Diamond, GFOTY, EASYFUN, Danny L Harle and felicita. He formed the one-off project QT with musician Sophie and performance artist Hayden Dunham, producing the 2014 single "Hey QT".

<i>Vroom Vroom</i> (EP) 2016 EP by Charli XCX

Vroom Vroom is the second extended play (EP) by English singer Charli XCX, released on 26 February 2016 by Vroom Vroom Recordings. It features production work from Scottish producer Sophie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alma (Finnish singer)</span> Finnish singer-songwriter (born 1996)

Alma-Sofia Miettinen, known professionally as Alma, is a Finnish singer and songwriter. Beginning her career in 2013, she placed fifth in the seventh season of the Finnish version of Idol. Her breakthrough came in 2015 when she was featured on the single "Muuta ku mä" by Sini Sabotage, and was subsequently signed to Universal Music Group.

Simone Murphy is a Scottish musician and former model. Born in Edinburgh, she started modelling aged two, before setting up several events while at the University of Edinburgh. After being scouted while working at Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh aged 21, she applied for Cycle 11 of Britain's Next Top Model, on which she placed fifth. That year, Murphy was a finalist in a competition to become PETA UK's Hottest Vegan. She later modelled for Karl Lagerfeld and appeared in music videos by The 1975.

<i>Pop 2</i> (mixtape) 2017 mixtape by Charli XCX

Pop 2 is the fourth mixtape by English singer Charli XCX, released on 15 December 2017 by Asylum Records. Executively produced by A. G. Cook of PC Music, sessions for the mixtape began several months before its release and featured a wide variety of guest contributions. The mixtape was backed by its only single "Out of My Head" featuring Alma and Tove Lo, released exactly one week before its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blame It on Your Love</span> 2019 single by Charli XCX featuring Lizzo

"Blame It on Your Love" is a song by English singer Charli XCX featuring American singer and rapper Lizzo. It was released on 15 May 2019 as the second single from Charli XCX's third studio album, Charli, and soon after debuted on BBC Radio 1 as Annie Mac's "Hottest Record in the World". It is Charli XCX's first single since her 2018 collaboration with Troye Sivan, "1999". The single is a reworked version of "Track 10", the final track from Charli XCX's mixtape Pop 2 (2017). The music video was released on 13 June 2019.

<i>Charli</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Charli XCX

Charli is the third studio album by English singer Charli XCX. It was released through Asylum and Atlantic Records UK on 13 September 2019. Charli was preceded by the singles "1999" with Troye Sivan, "Blame It on Your Love" featuring Lizzo, and "Gone" with Christine and the Queens. Charli was also promoted by the promotional singles "Cross You Out" featuring Sky Ferreira, "Warm" featuring Haim, "February 2017" featuring Clairo and Yaeji, and "2099" also featuring Sivan. Musically, it has been described as avant-pop, electropop, futurepop, and hyperpop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of My Head (Charli XCX song)</span> 2017 single by Charli XCX featuring Tove Lo and Alma

"Out of My Head" is a song by English singer Charli XCX, featuring Swedish singer Tove Lo and Finnish singer Alma. It was released as the lead single from her fourth mixtape Pop 2 on 8 December 2017 by Asylum Records and Atlantic Records UK.

<i>How Im Feeling Now</i> 2020 studio album by Charli XCX

How I'm Feeling Now is the fourth studio album by English singer Charli XCX, released on 15 May 2020. Released eight months after her previous LP, Charli (2019), the album was conceived in the span of six weeks during the COVID-19 lockdown in a "do it yourself" collaborative process with her fans. Charli XCX, A. G. Cook and BJ Burton served as the album's executive producers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shygirl</span> British singer and DJ (born 1993)

Blane Muise, better known by her stage name Shygirl, is an English singer, DJ, rapper, songwriter and co-head/founder of record label and collective Nuxxe. Shygirl's music incorporates elements of dance music, industrial hip-hop, experimental pop, grime and deconstructed club. She has also been associated with the hyperpop music scene. Shygirl rose to prominence after working with close collaborator and friend Sega Bodega, as well as other well-known experimental producers Arca and Sophie, and gaining attention from the likes of Rihanna, who has used various Nuxxe tracks for her Fenty Beauty commercials and fashion shows. Shygirl has released various singles since 2016, and three EPs titled Cruel Practice, Alias and Club Shy. Her debut studio album Nymph was released on 30 September 2022 to widespread acclaim from music critics.

Aston Joshua, better known by the stage name Asttina Mandella, is a British drag queen and dancer from East London. She is best known for competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, where she came eleventh on the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bimini Bon-Boulash</span> British drag performer (born 1993)

Thomas George Graeme Hibbitts, better known by the stage name Bimini Bon-Boulash or Bimini, is an English drag queen, author, recording artist and model based in East London, and born in Great Yarmouth, England. They are best known for competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, where they placed as a runner-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherry Valentine</span> British drag performer (1993–2022)

George Ward, better known by the stage name Cherry Valentine, was an English drag queen and mental health nurse who competed in the second series of the television show RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Raised in a Romanichal community, Ward has been credited as the first contestant on the Drag Race franchise to acknowledge his Romani heritage. In 2022, he addressed his background in the BBC documentary film Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, and in an episode of the documentary series God Shave the Queens. Following Ward's suicide in 2022, a memorial concert and fundraiser was held at London's Clapham Grand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tayce</span> Welsh drag performer

Tayce Szura-Radix is a Welsh drag queen, rapper, and model from Newport, Wales. She is best known for competing in the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, in which she placed joint runner-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tia Kofi</span> British drag performer

Lawrence John Bolton, better known by the stage name Tia Kofi, is a British drag queen and singer from Clapham, South London. They are best known for competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2021), and winning the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crash the Live Tour</span> 2022–2023 concert tour by Charli XCX

Crash: The Live Tour was the seventh headlining concert tour by English singer Charli XCX, in support of her fifth studio album Crash (2022). The tour began on 26 March 2022 in Oakland, California, United States, and concluded on 5 March 2023 in Perth, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something to Give Each Other Tour</span> 2024 concert tour by Troye Sivan

Something to Give Each Other Tour is the fifth headlining concert tour by Australian singer Troye Sivan, in support of his third studio album, Something to Give Each Other (2023). It is Sivan's first tour in five years following the Bloom Tour which ran from 2018 to 2019. The first leg began on 29 May 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal, and concluded on 28 June in Birmingham, England. He was supported by Jodie Harsh for the UK dates and will be supported by Nick Ward for the Oceania dates. Due to popular demand, the show in Amsterdam was moved to the Ziggo Dome with a 13,500 capacity from its original planned location, the AFAS Live with a 6,000 capacity.

References

  1. "Jodie Harsh: 'Drag is my work suit' – Profiles – People" . The Independent . 18 June 2009. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  2. "Jodie Harsh enlists 61 iconic UK queens for new music vid - including RPDR UK's Tayce, Bimini and more". Attitude. 5 March 2021. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  3. Gibsone, Harriet (29 April 2023). "Jodie Harsh looks back: 'My goal was to be different, to be anything but normal'". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  4. Backer, Stina. "Jodie Harsh: 'Drag is my work suit'". The Independent. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  5. "Jodie Harsh – The Vogue" . Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  6. "In Session: Jodie Harsh". Mixmag. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  7. Stroude, Will; jane (31 January 2017). "Scene and Heard | Dollar Baby, East London". Attitude. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  8. Cuby, Michael (5 July 2017). "Jodie Harsh Is the Life of the Party". Paper.
  9. "LGBTQ+ stars celebrate the launch of Nancy's, Feel It's new "den of debauchery"". GAY TIMES. 6 September 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  10. "Jessie Ware debuts new single at first anniversary of Jodie Harsh's Feel It". GAY TIMES. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  11. Spanos, Brittany (8 March 2016). "Charli XCX 'Vroom Vroom' Album Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  12. ALi, Jon (6 December 2019). "Queer Necessities: Big Freedia, Greyson Chance & More on Billboard Pride's December 2019 Playlist". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  13. Daw, Stephen (1 May 2020). "First Out: New Music From Kehlani, Todrick Hall, Hayley Kiyoko & More". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Jodie Harsh: "My first time in a club felt like waking up from a dream"". Mixmag. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 "Jodie Harsh on My House, clubs and 'drag queen rock stars'". BBC News. 24 April 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  16. "LIFE OF THE PARTY". Red Bull. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  17. Tabberer, Jamie; jane (5 March 2021). "Jodie Harsh enlists 61 iconic UK queens for epic My House music video". Attitude. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  18. "Jodie Harsh teases new music: "We're going to be dancing next year!"". GAY TIMES. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  19. Kelleher, Patrick (10 July 2021). "Legendary queen Jodie Harsh wants you to know 'drag isn't as easy as it looks on TV'". PinkNews. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  20. 1 2 Staff, Wonderland (2 August 2022). "Jodie Harsh Talks "Shock", Podcasting and Touring With Jessie Ware". Wonderland. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  21. Gibsone, Harriet (29 April 2023). "Jodie Harsh looks back: 'My goal was to be different, to be anything but normal'". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Forrest, Jo (1 July 2022). "Jodie Harsh returns with anthemic new single 'Shock'". TotalNtertainment. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  23. "UMPG and Jinsing sign DJ Jodie Harsh to global deal". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  24. "TROYE SIVAN UNVEILS ELECTRIFYING BAG RAIDERS REMIX OF "GOT ME STARTED"". Universal Music Canada. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  25. "Troye Sivan's 2024 Something To Give Each Other tour setlist in full". Official Charts. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  26. "Faber nabs Jodie Harsh's new book about the 'decadent' years she spent in London". The Bookseller. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  27. "Premiere: Jodie Harsh teams up with Love Bailey for mesmerising new video". GAY TIMES. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  28. "Google releases mini-documentary about drag queen Jodie Harsh". Mixmag. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  29. 1 2 "La Voix, Charlie Hides & Jodie Harsh to Star in 'Absolutely Fabulous' Movie". Drag Near You. 16 November 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  30. "Drag Race UK announces new guest stars, including legendary former contestant". Gay Times. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  31. "Drag queens Jodie Harsh and Bimini to host Radio 1 shows". BBC News. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  32. "Bimini, Tayce, Lawrence Chaney and Jodie Harsh to host their very own shows for the first-ever Radio 1 Drag Day". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  33. "BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1's Essential Mix, Jodie Harsh". BBC. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  34. "BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1's Dance Party with Annie Mac, Jodie Harsh Mini Mix!". BBC. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  35. Crummy, Colin (19 October 2015). "Why Jodie Harsh Is Britain's Best-Known Drag Queen". Out . Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  36. Smith, Reiss (20 January 2020). "Baga Chipz, Sum Ting Wong and Derrick Barry weigh in on the DragCon UK 'pandemonium'". PinkNews. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  37. 1 2 "Hey, Ms DJ...Jodie Harsh". Gay Times . p. 42. Archived from the original on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2020 via jodieharsh.com.
  38. "Jodie Harsh offers 'Beats N' Pieces' on new EP". Mixmag. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  39. Murray, Robin (1 November 2019). "Jodie Harsh Shares SOPHIE-Driven Disco Banger 'Tuesday'". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  40. Daw, Stephen (6 February 2020). "Queer Necessities: L Devine, Sam Sparro & More on Billboard Pride's February 2020 Playlist". Billboard. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  41. "Start your weekend off right with Jodie Harsh's new banger Filthy Rich". GAY TIMES. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  42. Phillips, Aimee (17 July 2020). ""Fascinating Light" by Jodie Harsh". Notion. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  43. 1 2 Kelleher, Patrick (10 July 2021). "Legendary queen Jodie Harsh wants you to know 'drag isn't as easy as it looks on TV'". PinkNews. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  44. "My House - Jodie Harsh | Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  45. No Sleep - Jodie Harsh | Releases | AllMusic , retrieved 9 March 2023
  46. "Jodie Harsh releases "ultimate party banger" Good Time - and it's a bop". GAY TIMES. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  47. Jodie Harsh - Good Time Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic , retrieved 9 March 2023
  48. Staff, Wonderland (2 August 2022). "Jodie Harsh Talks "Shock", Podcasting and Touring With Jessie Ware". Wonderland. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  49. Jodie Harsh - Shock Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic , retrieved 9 March 2023
  50. Staff, Notion (17 February 2023). "In The Mix: Jodie Harsh". Notion. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  51. Jodie Harsh - Hectic Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic , retrieved 9 March 2023