Blending elements of pop and R&B, Cameron Hardy’s sophomore single, “Perfume,” is nothing short of a powerful full-circle moment. The Los Angeles artist found his voice through covers of pop superstars and now finds himself working with writers who collaborated with those stars’ peers. After a year of social and emotional isolation, he’s connecting with and pouring his heart out to thousands of fans daily. The first song he ever wrote is now being pushed out into the world as an undeniable future hit.
On “Perfume,” Hardy misses a past relationship while he’s with someone new, noting that their memories together “won’t leave [his] room” or his mind. He wrote the track with singer-songwriter Delacey, who co-wrote songs like Demi Lovato’s “Ruin the Friendship,” The Chainsmokers’ “New York City,” Halsey’s “Without Me,” and Zara Larsson’s “Ruin My Life.” The song also features production by Jeff Halatrax, who has worked with the likes of Carly Rae Jepsen and Selena Gomez. But make no mistake, these savvy hitmakers aren’t the only reason “Perfume” is such a catchy tune.
Warning: the video below has flashing clips of various intensities throughout – viewer discretion is advised for those with photosensitivity!
Like modern pop superstars such as Madison Beer (another artist who has worked with Delacey), Five Seconds of Summer, and Justin Bieber, a then-teenage Hardy got his start uploading covers to YouTube, attracting a fair bit of attention with his rendition of Selena Gomez’s 2017 hit “Bad Liar.” This segment of his career got him something much more valuable than viral views and likes.
“I think finding my voice was the biggest takeaway from making covers,” Hardy shares. “I really enjoy getting to be creative with the covers, but nothing compares to writing my own music. It is such a freeing process.”
He introduced the world to his own vision with “I Thought You Were Lonely” in May, which has already collected over a million Spotify streams and helped him near 40,000 monthly listeners. The song tackles a cold-hearted lover who led him on, and received attention from outlets like Flaunt, Hollywood Life, and Ones to Watch, as well as roundup placements from Billboard and People.
Hardy says, “[The reception] was amazing. It was quite honestly a very big battle for me to find the right opportunity and team to release my music with, so for it to be recognized so positively was a very rewarding feeling.”
Warning: the video below has flashing clips of various intensities throughout – viewer discretion is advised for those with photosensitivity!
However, on the back of so much success, it’s hard to ignore the pandemic-sized elephant in the room. COVID-19 put a damper on Hardy’s plans for the “I Thought You Were Lonely” music video, which he still managed to push for and get nearly 130,000 views on. He created the video with Australian director Emma Sydney Menzies, along with creative production by Amber Park’s AP Studio.
“When it comes down to the visuals, it definitely did have a big effect on the creative for these songs,” Hardy admits. “It was a challenge to execute the vision we all had for the music video because we were respecting the safety protocols, but my team did a great job, everyone was super safe, and I couldn’t be happier with the result.”
Another upsetting impact COVID has had on Hardy’s career is that it’s prevented him from getting to play shows and meet with his fans. As a Gen-Z pop star, it’s no surprise he’s in tune with his supporters on social media, offering sneak peeks of upcoming projects and hosting frequent Twitter Q&A sessions.
“It makes every bit of the blood, sweat and tears that I pour into my music worth it,” Hardy says of his connection with his listeners. “It’s such a beautiful thing, actually, to be able to connect with fans. I can’t wait to be able to get on the road and meet them in person.”
Thankfully, for as bright an artist as Cameron Hardy, there will be countless opportunities for growth and connection in the future. Until then, you can find “Perfume” on your favorite streaming services now, and get to know Cameron Hardy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube! Keep reading for more of our interview with the upcoming superstar.
Your first two songs are very lyrically-driven, with “I Thought You Were Lonely” going into detail about an unfaithful partner while “Perfume” describes missing an ex while you’re with someone new. What artists inspired your songwriting?
I’m mostly inspired by artists and writers who are whole-heartedly unapologetic. Delacey, who I co-wrote “Perfume” with, is one of the most powerful and free spoken artists I know of. Writing this record with her was inspiring in and of itself.
In just a few months, “I Thought You Were Lonely” has surpassed a million streams and its music video has almost 130,000 views. What was it like to have such a positive reaction for your debut?
It was amazing. It was quite honestly a very big battle for me to find the right opportunity and team to release my music with, so for it to be recognized so positively was a very rewarding feeling.
You co-wrote “Perfume” with Delacey, who’s known for co-writing songs like Halsey’s “Without Me,” Madison Beer’s “Dead,” and Zara Larsson’s “Ruin My Life.” Was it intimidating to go into those sessions knowing she had worked on such successful songs?
Not at all, she’s the best!
Did the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns affect your creative process for your recent singles?
When it comes down to the visuals, it definitely did have a big effect on the creative for these songs. It was a challenge to execute the vision we all had for the music video because we were respecting the safety protocols, but my team did a great job, everyone was super safe, and I couldn’t be happier with the result.
You got a lot of attention with a cover of Selena Gomez’s “Bad Liar” in 2017. How did making covers like that help you grow as an artist and figure out what direction you wanted your own music to go in?
I think finding my voice was the biggest takeaway from making covers. I really enjoy getting to be creative with the covers, but nothing compares to writing my own music. It is such a freeing process.
Another thing that stands out about you is your connection with your fans, whether it’s giving them sneak peeks of new projects you’re working on or answering questions in a Twitter Q&A. What has it been like to get to know them and see how your music has impacted others?
It makes every bit of the blood, sweat and tears that I pour into my music worth it. It’s such a beautiful thing, actually, to be able to connect with fans. I can’t wait to be able to get on the road and meet them in person.
Is there anything you want to mention that the questions didn’t touch on?
I’m really excited for all of the music that’s to come. This is just the beginning.
