Harrison

What inspired you to reinterpret t.A.T.u.’s “All The Things She Said,” and at what point did you realize the track was becoming something much bigger than you had imagined?

I’ve always loved the original. It’s one of those songs that instantly makes you feel something, and that’s really hard to do. I wasn’t trying to reinvent it just for the sake of it. I wanted to capture the emotion that made the original so special while bringing it into my own world.

When I first released it, I honestly had no expectations beyond hoping people would enjoy it. Then I started seeing videos pop up online, the streams kept growing, and everything snowballed from there. Once the song was featured in Heated Rivalry, it reached a completely new audience. Hearing from fans all over the world who discovered my music through the series was the moment I realized this had become something much bigger than I’d ever imagined.

Your music blends electronic production with emotional pop elements. How would you describe your creative process when you’re building a new track from scratch?

Everything starts with a feeling. Sometimes it’s a lyric, sometimes it’s a melody, and sometimes it’s just a chord progression that won’t leave my head.

I usually start with a piano, guitar, or vocal before I touch any production. If the song works in that stripped-back form, then I know there’s something worth building on. From there it’s about creating a production that supports the emotion instead of getting in the way of it.

Your version of “All The Things She Said” became a global phenomenon. How has that success changed your career and your perspective as an artist?

It’s changed my life in ways I never expected. For so long it was just me in a studio hoping someone would connect with what I was making. Now I’ll meet people who tell me they found my music through Heated Rivalry or that one of my songs became part of a really important moment in their life. That’s something I’ll never take for granted.

It’s also taught me to trust myself more. The music that’s had the biggest impact on my career wasn’t created by chasing trends. It came from making something I genuinely believed in.

You’ve worked on remixes for iconic artists like The Veronicas, Duran Duran, and Nile Rodgers. What have you learned from reimagining songs that already have such a strong legacy?

The biggest lesson is to respect the original. People already have memories attached to those songs, so I never want to lose what made them special. My goal is to bring something new to the table without taking away the heart of the record. If someone hears my version and then goes back to listen to the original again, I think that’s a pretty cool outcome.

As both a producer and a vocalist, do you ever find yourself balancing two different creative mindsets, or do those roles naturally complement each other?

I think they naturally complement each other. Producing makes me think about every little detail, while singing reminds me to focus on the emotion. One keeps the other in check, and together they help me make better music. At this point, I don’t really separate the two.

Dance music has evolved rapidly over the past few years. Where do you see the genre heading, and how do you hope to contribute to its future?

I think people are becoming much more open-minded about what dance music can be. It doesn’t have to stay in one lane anymore. You can pull from pop, indie, rock, or almost anything else as long as it feels authentic.

I’d love to keep making music that people can dance to while still connecting with emotionally. Trends will always come and go, but songs that make people feel something tend to stick around.

You’ve performed at major events in cities like Washington, London, and soon Boston. How does the energy of a live audience influence the way you perform compared to creating music in the studio?

They’re completely different experiences, and I love both for different reasons.

The studio is where ideas are born. It’s quiet, and you can spend hours chasing one sound. Live shows are the complete opposite. You get instant feedback, and every crowd has its own personality.

Playing Capital Pride in Washington and Hyde Park’s Rainbow Stage in London this summer were definitely highlights. Seeing thousands of people singing and dancing together reminds you why you started making music in the first place.

With more than 750 million Spotify streams, it’s clear that your music connects with people around the world. What do you think listeners relate to most in your sound?

I hope it’s the honesty. Whether it’s an original song or a remix, I always want there to be something real underneath it. Music becomes part of people’s lives. It reminds them of certain places, people, and moments. If something I’ve made becomes part of someone else’s story, that’s probably the biggest compliment I could receive.

Looking back at the beginning of your journey, what advice would today’s Harrison give to the younger version of yourself who was just starting out in music?

I’d tell myself to be patient. For a long time I thought every release had to change my life, and when it didn’t, it was easy to get discouraged. Looking back now, I realize every song, every collaboration, and every setback was preparing me for what came next.

I’d also tell myself not to quit. There were moments when I came close, and if I had, I would’ve missed out on the best year of my career.

Finally, what can your fans look forward to next? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re especially excited to share?

I’m writing all the time, so there’s a lot of new music in the works. I feel like I’m entering a really exciting chapter creatively, and I think people are going to hear a different side of me over the next year.

There are some collaborations I’m really excited about, plenty of original music on the way, and I can’t wait to keep getting out on the road and sharing it all with everyone who’s supported me. It’s been an unbelievable ride so far, and I honestly feel like we’re just getting started.