BIO

Jackson-Harlin, of mixed Comanche, American and English heritage, followed his English stepfather into the Royal Hussars, a historic cavalry regiment.Born on October 25, the anniversary of the Charge of the Light Brigade,
Jackson-Harlin's connection to the Hussars was deeply ingrained from an early age.His childhood experiences with the
11th Hussars, later part of the
Royal Hussars,
further solidified his bond with this
storied military unit

THE PINK PANTHER

The Royal Hussars were celebrated through their newsletter, Royal Hussars Pink Panther, which highlighted the regiment’s unique identity and traditions, further strengthening Jackson-Harlin’s connection to this distinguished cavalry unit.The playful and imaginative spirit of the Pink Panther also inspired
Jackson-Harlin’s artistic endeavors, particularly his PANDACATS project.Through a blend of music, poetry, and mask characters,
Jackson-Harlin delves into themes of fractured identity and transformation, exploring the notion that humanity’s true battle lies within.

PandaCats

🎸🥁 Jackson-Harlins experience of duality, tradition and turmoil inspired his PandaCats project, a creative process transforming military adversity into art.🐼🐱 The PandaCats—whimsical yet deeply symbolic characters—serve as an “internal cast of characters,” exploring and dissecting the contradictions of his upbringing in the armed forces:
camaraderie and conflict,
discipline and disillusionment including trauma experienced as a child growing up with the Hussars.💀☠️ Through PandaCats, Jackson Harlin explores fractured identity, weaving raw emotion into narratives about resilience, selfhood, and the human condition.🐴 Jackson Harlin’s work fuses military rigor with artistic freedom, where the Pink Panther’s playful legacy collides with the weight of lived experience.🐼🐱 PandaCats—both tribute to his Hussar heritage and subversion of it—embody this paradox, channeling struggle into creative expression and chaos into purpose.This alchemical journey navigates death and rebirth, confronting inner shadows through an “internal valley of death.” The PandaCats symbolize courage to confront adversity, reclaiming wounds in darkness and rebirthing them into light—a resilience forged in his military-artistic duality.🤔 The PandaCats project centers on the concept of self-realization, emphasizing the internal struggle as humanity's ultimate challenge.It portrays this battle as a conflict between the self and God, projected outward onto the world. The project envisions this struggle as a puzzle piece in the broader effort to restore one’s own fractured identity.🎭This creative alchemy uses music, masks, and performance art to dissect themes like love, loss, death and identity, blending humor and absurdity to confront life’s complexities.💜 The project embodies disintegration as a catalyst for rebirth.💗 Jackson-Harlin’s work invites audiences to embrace brokenness and heal their shadow by summoning the courage to explore their own internal valley—a sacred space where the most authentic parts of our identity are often abandoned to conform to
societal expectations.🌟 This journey becomes an act of profound self-reclamation, transforming pain into wholeness and rediscovering the essence of who we truly are.

FINAL NOTE
David Jackson-Harlin

⚡️My military service, while free from active conflicts, was a crucible that forged my character and shaped my worldview.Throughout my life’s journey, I’ve engaged in an internal struggle, grappling with my own demons and challenging my own deeply held perceptions.This ongoing process has involved confronting my innermost fears and continuously reevaluating how i view myself and the world around me.My personal struggle has been transformative, teaching me invaluable lessons in resilience and perseverance.It has been a journey of self-discovery, shedding outdated beliefs and embracing personal growth.⚡️ Through this process, I've come to firmly believe that humanity flourishes through compassion, peace, love, and mutual understanding.My PandaCats project is a manifestation of this inner journey.It represents my deep dive into the recesses of my psyche, a process of decluttering emotional baggage and rediscovering
self-love.Today, i dedicate myself to championing life-affirming values.I believe these principles are not just personal mantras, but essential building blocks for creating a more harmonious world.My mission now is to share these insights, hoping to inspire others on their own paths of self-discovery and contribute to a more empathetic society.

Return to top of page..👀

Jackson Harlin channels the discipline and resilience forged during his service in the Hussars into a deeply personal artistic practice. Born on October 25—the anniversary of the Charge of the Light Brigade—his connection to the regiment runs through his lineage, having followed his father into the 11th Hussars. This shared history, marked by the regiment’s adoption of the Pink Panther as its mascot and the Pink Panther newsletter, became the unlikely foundation for his PandaCats project.The PandaCats—whimsical yet symbolic characters—serve as a creative lens to process the contradictions of his military experience: the camaraderie and the conflicts, the pride and the struggles. These characters act as an "internal regiment," allowing Harlin to dissect his past through storytelling and songwriting. By alchemizing adversity into art, he transforms raw emotion into narratives that explore the human condition—where vulnerability and strength coexist, and resilience emerges from chaos.His work reflects a journey from regimental rigidity to artistic freedom, blending the structured world of the Hussars with the fluidity of imagination. The PandaCats embody this duality: playful yet profound, they mirror the tension between his military roots and his quest to understand himself—and humanity—through creativity.Sources

David Jackson Harlin transforms his personal adversities into powerful, creative songwriting.His approach is characterized by raw honesty and directness, crafting songs that resonate deeply with listeners.Rather than relying on soaring soprano vocals, Harlin's music is sincere, emotive, and
undeniably catchy.His lyrics often deliver unexpected insights that leave a lasting impact, likened to "a bullet ripping through your brain."Each song reflects a commitment to emotional authenticity, inviting listeners to connect with the profound truths of human experience.

David’s journey through adversity shaped a creative ethos where imperfection becomes a bridge to
human connection.His raw, emotionally charged songwriting mirrors universal struggles—transforming pain into purpose and finding beauty in brokenness.By embracing vulnerability, his lyrics confront life’s paradoxes, turning personal struggle into art that resonates deeply.

The PandaCat Universe
Central to Jackson Harlin’s artistic identity are the PandaCat characters—masked, flawed superheroes, aspects of his internal world who embody the duality of human existence.These figures, neither saints nor villains, reflect David’s struggle with perfectionism and his rejection of perfectionism, which often conflict.What sets these characters apart is that they are not merely fictional creations but represent aspects of David’s own wounded consciousness and shadow self.
They emerge from the hidden parts of his psyche—those shaped by pain, fear, and imperfection—and serve as a means of exploring and integrating these repressed elements.They stumble, falter, and yet persist, symbolizing the quiet heroism of embracing vulnerability.Through their stories, David illustrates how imperfection fuels authenticity, transforming personal scars into universal truths. The dysfunctionality of these superheroes isn’t a flaw but a feature, reminding audiences that growth often emerges from the cracks in our being.

Alchemy of Experience
David’s artistry thrives on paradox.His music and visual work act as a crucible, melting down hardship into something luminous.The “bullet ripping through your brain” metaphor in his lyrics isn’t just a vivid image—it’s a metaphor for the transformative power of confronting
raw truths.By sharing his own struggles, he invites listeners to reframe their pain as a source of strength, not shame.This alchemy isn’t about erasing scars but repurposing them into a tapestry of resilience.

A Philosophy of Imperfection
At the heart of David’s work lies a radical idea:meaning isn’t found in just overcoming adversity but in embracing it.His art rejects the myth of a flawless existence, instead celebrating the messy, iterative process of healing.The PandaCats’ “dysfunctional” nature mirrors this philosophy—imperfection isn’t a barrier to purpose but its foundation.

All Mask are ONE
By sharing his journey, David reminds us that life’s highest purpose isn’t just to transcend suffering but to transform it, weaving chaos into creation—into something meaningful for all to share.For in the sharing of our stories, we become unified as ONE.This unity transcends individuality, forming a collective consciousness that resonates like a singular force.In this space, where masks symbolize both our struggles and our shared humanity, we discover that beneath the façades we wear lies a profound connection.It is through embracing our vulnerabilities and celebrating our imperfections that we tap into a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other, merging our experiences into a tapestry of resilience and hope.

Born and raised in Cold War West Germany, I grew up in a world where the sound of military drills was my lullaby and camouflage was practically a family uniform.With military parents who believed "home" was wherever the Army sent us, I spent my childhood navigating life on the move, surrounded by tanks, tension, and the occasional bratwurst.Naturally, I followed in their footsteps and became a tank soldier myself—because nothing says "breaking free from your upbringing" like climbing into a 70-ton armoured vehicle.Serving as a tank soldier in West Germany during the Cold War was an experience that could only be described as equal parts thrilling and surreal.But after years of rolling through life behind layers of steel, I found myself facing battles of a different kind—overcoming addiction and confronting the emotional scars of my upbringing.*When the Cold War ended, so did my time in uniform, and I returned to London to face the hardest mission yet: finding myself.

In the realm of
'Thru the Barrel of a Gun,'
the notes are bullets, and the rhythm is a ‘heartbeat’ echoing through the chaos of emotions.""Embark on a sonic journey that explores the intricate dance between danger and beauty –"Feel the pulse of intensity as 'Through the Barrel of a Gun' weaves a tapestry of sound that echoes the complexities of the human spirit."

⭐️ ARRIVING Soon ⭐️

Having overcome his fare share of adversity (David) JACKSON HARLIN manages to alchemise his experience into creative songwriting.His approach to songwriting is raw, honest and straight to the point.These are not soprano vocals but the songs are sincere, emotive
and catchy.The lyrics often throw up a ‘surprise‘
that pierce the mind....like a bullet ripping
through your brain’

Beautiful Never

Good intentions ..
The wrong outcomes
..emotional cliff edges

Listen on Spotify/Apple Music

Spotify