Harrison

Our Partners over at Music Gateway are at the forefront of the music industry when it comes to getting talented people from around the world connected and working together on aligned goals. We are proud to be associated with a platform that is actively changing the face of the industry.

We took the opportunity to tap into their pool of talent to find the “next big thing” to feature and interview for Music-News. We came across a huge range of very impressive artists and bands in a variety of genres and locations around the world. One artist that really stood out for us was a young pop/rock songwriter from Scotland called Harrison.

This multi-talented artist is a prolific songwriter not just for her own work but also for other artists in a range of genres and styles. She self-released her debut album at the age of 16 and has since self-released several singles and an EP. With album number 2 in the works, it’s an exciting time to be aware of this star. Even Hollywood celeb blogger, Perez Hilton has picked her out in the past saying, “This feisty gal reminds us of Joan Jett and Shirley Manson, two fierce types sorely missing from contemporary music!”

Check out our interview with Harrison below and make sure you check out her website to hear more of her music.

Where did your journey within the music industry start?
It started when I self-released an album at age 16. That was my first real statement of intention, and I was lucky to find that there were people in the industry who listened.

What is your songwriting process like? How has it developed?
I started playing piano when I was 6, and started poetry when I was 7. I always knew I wanted to put the two together but it took a few years to get my confidence. I try and write every song differently, but I always have a basic pop structure in my head, which helps me to focus. Sometimes I start with the piano, sometimes I start with the vocal melody, sometimes with a beat; I just try to make the most of whatever mood I'm in at that moment.

You link your music in closely with fashion - do your lyrics reflect this too?
I would have said no... but I released a song titled “Supermodel” last year, so I'd probably be lying. I feel that mostly my lyrics reflect personal experiences or sometimes they're a running social commentary, but when I'm living in pop-culture and designing clothes I guess the two worlds meet.

How important have collaborations and co-writes been for you in your career?
I love co-writes and collaborations. Sometimes when you write on your own you can be too critical of yourself and that can make the music suffer. When you're working with talented writers/musicians/artists it's (almost) always an incredibly supportive environment and that energy often creates a certain magic with music, it's really special. Also, you learn so much from working with others. I've been incredibly lucky to write with a whole variety of writers/producers/directors/musicians from big names to small and each and every one of them has meant something to me.

Why should songwriters have production skills too?
The number one reason would be that your song is no good if nobody has heard it, so you need a basic level of songwriting to record that song to share it as far and wide as possible. Secondly, in a business sense it makes you more valuable because you don't need to add the 2nd or 3rd person to produce the track and therefore it keeps the costs down and royalties up. For me, I feel if I have a good understanding of how to produce a song, then when I'm creating with other producers/writers I can communicate better.

You put a lot of thought into your live shows, who are your influences?
Freddie Mercury is my number one influence when it comes to live shows, P!nk is a close second and Lady GaGa is third.

You recently came back from America, what were you up to there?
I was writing with some of the writers at Mirrorball Entertainment and other independent producers, I had a couple of meetings with a couple of major publishing companies and I was performing in New York and SXSW. It was a beautiful whirlwind!

What are your thoughts on reality talent shows?
I think they give great exposure. Just think, you could do 100 gigs in a year and still not reach the 8 million people who see you from one appearance on a major TV show. I have respect for anyone that gives it a go.

What is in the pipeline for Harrison this year?
I'm working towards my album and hoping to find my “dream team” manager/publisher/producers.