Q+A with Harmless: His Remarkable Path to Self-Acceptance
Wendy Rosales
We chatted with Nacho Cano, also known as indie rock artist Harmless, before his LA show at The Echoplex. Cano is a Los Angeles-based, Mexico City-born songwriter and producer. Cano’s musical project Harmless gained traction after the 2012 song “Swing Lynn” resurfaced on TikTok during the pandemic—earning the artist a RIAA Gold plaque in September 2022.
We had the opportunity to ask Cano all about what has come after this achievement. Read more about the artist’s recent accomplishments and his journey toward self-discovery and authenticity through his recovery.
Bad Wreck: Introduce yourself!
Harmless: Hi, my name is Nacho Cano. But I go by Harmless.
BW: In recent years, your songs have been successful on platforms such as TikTok. How did you first react or how did you find out that your music went viral?
Harmless: I found out because I saw Emma Chamberlain post it on a video. It made me feel really cool. But I think the entire time I really didn’t want it to get to my head. So I made a promise that if I saw a video, I would let it make me super happy and lose my mind. I think that the Internet has a tendency to be permanent and give you permanent feelings. And I think that it gets to your head and you get sad. And so it makes me feel good in the moment but afterward, I try not to look and turn off notifications. I'm just that kind of guy.
BW: You recently posted about a life-changing accident that you went through. What were some ways that this accident changed your perspective on your music? When you talk about it, you often say you feel reborn. Can you elaborate on that?
Harmless: Well, it's like having a marker of where you are because it's a very physical separation because I got hurt so bad. I don’t remember what my body was like beforehand. So it is like being reborn. I'm getting acquainted with myself in a way that I feel like. And most people don't really get to or have to, and I'm glad they don't. I had to learn to walk again, like a baby, and all that kind of stuff. So that's it. It really does feel like being reborn. And I think a lot of the music that I'm making, and a lot of the things that I do lately are in an attempt to re-meet that guy. It's not like I'm doing it for my older version, but it's almost like maybe if I do it, then I can reconnect with myself. So maybe that's why I call it being born again.
BW: What do you see the future of your career in music in five years?
Harmless: I don't want to think about it. I tend to get really nervous for shows because I get really nervous for single releases or any of that kind of stuff because of that. So I don't know, I feel like one of the best reasons I can name for signing with a label was because I wanted to sign with somebody who would take that feeling away from me and be nice about it. I don't like to think about the future like that. I really like to be in the present.
BW: I could really tell you care about your music because of the way you talk about it. It's just about what makes you happy which nowadays is rare.
Harmless: A big part of learning is to find peace. Giving yourself mistakes and giving yourself wins. You know, good things, come and go, I'm trying to learn that bad things also come and go. And that's why maybe I don't get as excited. I just try to be honest. And that's, that's a whole practice in and of itself.
BW: That must be hard as an artist because I feel like sometimes we almost seek more validation and success once we receive some.
Harmless: Yeah. Part of having a cane now, during shows, is because it makes me feel better. And because it helps me stand and walk around after shows. The reason why I haven't done that before, was because I didn't feel like I could be honest. And so this is an exercise in honesty. I’m trying just to be who I actually am.
BW: Now that you use your walking cane out in public, do you feel the most authentic?
Harmless: At first, I rejected it, and I always kind of needed it. It's more that I rejected wanting anybody to feel like I was something else. Whereas now if I'm going to be honest with myself, and the people who are going to come see me I need to fully see me for the guy that I am.
BW: That’s awesome you are now in a place where you can fully be yourself without thinking of the opinions of others. To wrap up, what’s something you would love to tell your listeners?
Harmless: Thank you. For real! I really appreciate it. I know that's really not a lot of words. But it always comes to me as a surprise that anybody likes me. And it's a surprise that I cherish. And so, you know, I'm a real guy. And I always like it when people talk to me, and I kind of live for it. So thank you.
