One of our favorite things about music fandom is when you find an artist who's in the early stages of his or her career, on the verge of having a huge hit or becoming a familiar face. It's like you're right there with that person as their dreams come true and hard work pays off. And of course, it's fun to be the first of your friends to "discover" the next big thing. That's why we're always on the lookout for up-and-comers who want to share their music and experiences with IML...so we can watch them grow into stars and say to ourselves, "We knew them when!"
Recently we stumbled upon 22-year-old Jackson Harris, whose four-song debut EP "Long Story Short" releases on iTunes today. When we heard Jackson's music, which combines heartfelt lyrics with catchy, danceable pop melodies and a sweet yet mature and emotion-packed singing voice, we knew Jackson's star is headed for dizzying heights. We were even more psyched to talk to him and find that he's a smart, insightful, passionate guy who has a great outlook on where he's been and where he's going, along with some valuable advice for IML'ers.
IML: Tell us about the songs on the album. They all seem very personal!
Jackson: Yeah, each one spun off from a real moment in my life, especially the "Long Story Short" single. That came out of necessity, because I would be hanging out with my friends and going to parties, and people would ask me what I'm doing and where I'm going to school. When you're not on the same route as everybody else, you have to explain yourself a lot: "Well, I'm in music and this and that...long story short, I'm following my dreams." When I put that in the context of a song, I wanted to explain to listeners why I'm here and why I want to make music. It's a tough road and it's not always easy and not everyone makes it, but it's about passion. With the song "I Don't Speak Silence," I was on the subway and this one man was asking for directions in Spanish and I didn't speak Spanish; I was also having a problem in communication with my current relationship. When I put those two together, I thought of silence as a language. We've all been there where maybe your girlfriend or boyfriend will indicate that there's something wrong or they're feeling a certain way, but if they're not talking, there's nothing you can do. That was a tough one to write. Another song on there, "Someone Tell Brittany," was about my first real love. She kind of broke my heart but in this song, I'm letting her know that it really hurt, but thanking her because in some way it started all this music that poured out of me. And telling her that I'm okay and I hope she's happy wherever she is. I try to do a little bit of what Taylor Swift does, making each song count and attribute it to an actual memory.
IML: What is your songwriting process like, once you get these inspirations?
Jackson: I wish I could have a little more control over the process, and I think a lot of songwriters would. It happens in a lot of different ways. Sometimes I'll think of a specific melody and keep singing it in my head, and I'll write down the lyrics I want to put to it. Then I'll sit at the piano or pick up the guitar and see what sound I'm trying to go for. Once I figure out the idea for the song and what the story's going to be, I try to figure out the mood. Then I bring it to my producer and with him I figure out the music that I hear in my head. It's a really great collaboration. He's from the dance world originally, so that's a good element to have in there and we end up writing songs that people can enjoy and move to.
IML: If somebody's just listening to your songs for the first time, what do you want them to know about you as an artist?
Jackson: As cliche as it sounds, I want listeners to know that I'm still seeing myself as this kid from New York City who liked music. Even now, after I've been able to meet some great artists or be in the presence of people who work with those people I admire, I'm still just a fan. Music is something I love to do, but in some ways I'm a comic book geek about it. I love knowing who the band members are and what instruments they use. It's so much fun to me and I want listeners to hear that in the songs. And that I try to be honest and not sugar coat my lyrics, and that I don't try to be something that I'm not. I want listeners to be interested in getting to know me through my music, not just because I sing a certain phrase over and over again and they've heard it on the radio 100 times.
IML: You grew up in the Manhattan prep school environment, and you never quite fit in or got on the "track" many kids from that world feel they need to stay on. Can you tell us about those experiences?
Jackson: I think because of movies and TV and stuff, people in my prep school were trying to live up to a stereotype of how they should act or what they should be wearing. Fortunately, I caught on very quickly with a group of friends who loved me regardless of whether or not I fit in. Other things became more important to me. I wasn't so concerned about whether or not I was going to be a lawyer or a doctor or something like that. I was more interested in fields of music and acting and the arts. Even in New York City where there are so many opportunities, there's a mentality where people would say, "No you can't do this because you're from here." So all the "Gossip Girl" type expectations, sometimes they're there but you can still find cool people and I was lucky enough to meet them and grow up with a great crowd.
IML: You never felt like anybody gave you a hard time for doing your own thing?
Jackson: I think I was a little bit misunderstood in the sense that they didn't get why I wouldn't want to adhere to all the fads. I think they were more puzzled by what was going on because I kept a lot of my music to myself. It would appear to them that maybe I wasn't being a good student or didn't want to go the parties, but what I was really doing was writing or singing or trying to go to concerts. It was kind of this secret music life I was living.
IML: When did you know that you wanted to pursue music as an actual career?
Jackson: It was two very different moments. The first was what that first applause feels like. I was in sixth grade, I had to sing Frank Sinatra in the school play. I didn't know what I was singing about, but I got up there in the fedora and the whole suit, and I forgot all the words! So they restarted the tape, and I just smiled, because I had nothing to compare it to so I wasn't really that nervous, and I sang it through. When I heard that first applause...I got the shakes, I'd never felt anything like that before! Fast forward to 11th grade, I'd started this band and we had done some gigs through NYC, and when they all started figuring out what they wanted to do for college, I said to myself, Well, this is the point in my life when I get to make a decision as to how I want things to turn out, and if I go for it young. If everything goes badly, I'll use some form of this education in music to my benefit. If I can't make it in singing, I'll be a songwriter or a backup musician or a producer. I knew, someway or another I couldn't NOT have music in my life.
IML: Good point: You don't have to become a pop star to have music be your career. There's such a range of things you can do to make a living and do what you love.
Jackson: One of my favorite musicians is John Mayer and I would watch him religiously and follow anything he would say. He said something once that really struck a chord with me, which was, "You define your own success." You have to say to yourself, I'm happy if I can sell a thousand records, or if I can go down the street and buy my own record, or simply buy myself a meal! There are people who sell a million records and aren't happy because they want to sell 2 million. And then you're just making tracks, you're not making songs that mean something to you. I'd rather have it mean something to one person than just be background music in an elevator to a million people!
IML: That's a great philosophy. Has your family been supportive of you during all this time?
Jackson: Yes, that's one thing I'm so lucky and blessed to have had! A mom and sister and family who really supported me and took an interest in what I was doing. There are families who just give you the okay and then there are families who really want to come hear you sing and be a part of it, and my mom has always loved music. They've done a great job of saying things like, "Maybe that wasn't the greatest song but we love you, keep going, we want to hear what you're playing." They never told me to shush, which was tough for my mom with me singing in the car! She's still there every day checking my YouTube channel and I'm so happy that I get to make her proud, and show her that even in high school when teachers were saying, "What is your son doing, he's not paying attention in class?" I can say, this is what I was doing! I was thinking of all these songs!
IML: What would your advice be for someone who doesn't have that kind of support?
Jackson: If your parents aren't that supportive, you should find some friends in school with similar interests or find some clubs or teachers that do drama, sculpture, singing, whatever. Try to go out there and find that support, because it's not going to come to you if you don't go out there and grab it for yourself. I was lucky enough that my grandmother got to hear one of my songs before she passed away recently. When I was 7 years old, she had told me, "Don't let anyone tell you no." Now I realize that she was saying, "Don't let anyone tell you that you're not good enough to do something."
IML: Why do you think it's important for young people to participate in the arts, even if they don't plan to pursue a career in those areas? Why do the arts matter?
Jackson: I think in the same way we participate in certain academic activities we don't pursue as a career. I studied biology and algebra, read philosophy books and all that. I didn't want to be a philosopher or a scientist or mathematician, but it introduced me to stories and brilliant people and amazing discoveries. While these classes are important because they teach you about other people, the arts teach you about yourself. When you learn about yourself, that gives you a better sense of the world and how to treat people, and art and music in general is universal. Two people who don't speak the same language can enjoy the same song or the same piece of artwork.
IML: Thanks, Jackson, for introducing us to your music and sharing your outlook on life and art. Good luck with the album!
Jackson: Thank you!
You can learn more about Jackson and sample his music on his website at www.TheJacksonHarris.com, where he also answers questions from fans.
Recently we stumbled upon 22-year-old Jackson Harris, whose four-song debut EP "Long Story Short" releases on iTunes today. When we heard Jackson's music, which combines heartfelt lyrics with catchy, danceable pop melodies and a sweet yet mature and emotion-packed singing voice, we knew Jackson's star is headed for dizzying heights. We were even more psyched to talk to him and find that he's a smart, insightful, passionate guy who has a great outlook on where he's been and where he's going, along with some valuable advice for IML'ers.IML: Tell us about the songs on the album. They all seem very personal!
Jackson: Yeah, each one spun off from a real moment in my life, especially the "Long Story Short" single. That came out of necessity, because I would be hanging out with my friends and going to parties, and people would ask me what I'm doing and where I'm going to school. When you're not on the same route as everybody else, you have to explain yourself a lot: "Well, I'm in music and this and that...long story short, I'm following my dreams." When I put that in the context of a song, I wanted to explain to listeners why I'm here and why I want to make music. It's a tough road and it's not always easy and not everyone makes it, but it's about passion. With the song "I Don't Speak Silence," I was on the subway and this one man was asking for directions in Spanish and I didn't speak Spanish; I was also having a problem in communication with my current relationship. When I put those two together, I thought of silence as a language. We've all been there where maybe your girlfriend or boyfriend will indicate that there's something wrong or they're feeling a certain way, but if they're not talking, there's nothing you can do. That was a tough one to write. Another song on there, "Someone Tell Brittany," was about my first real love. She kind of broke my heart but in this song, I'm letting her know that it really hurt, but thanking her because in some way it started all this music that poured out of me. And telling her that I'm okay and I hope she's happy wherever she is. I try to do a little bit of what Taylor Swift does, making each song count and attribute it to an actual memory.
IML: What is your songwriting process like, once you get these inspirations?
Jackson: I wish I could have a little more control over the process, and I think a lot of songwriters would. It happens in a lot of different ways. Sometimes I'll think of a specific melody and keep singing it in my head, and I'll write down the lyrics I want to put to it. Then I'll sit at the piano or pick up the guitar and see what sound I'm trying to go for. Once I figure out the idea for the song and what the story's going to be, I try to figure out the mood. Then I bring it to my producer and with him I figure out the music that I hear in my head. It's a really great collaboration. He's from the dance world originally, so that's a good element to have in there and we end up writing songs that people can enjoy and move to.
IML: If somebody's just listening to your songs for the first time, what do you want them to know about you as an artist?
Jackson: As cliche as it sounds, I want listeners to know that I'm still seeing myself as this kid from New York City who liked music. Even now, after I've been able to meet some great artists or be in the presence of people who work with those people I admire, I'm still just a fan. Music is something I love to do, but in some ways I'm a comic book geek about it. I love knowing who the band members are and what instruments they use. It's so much fun to me and I want listeners to hear that in the songs. And that I try to be honest and not sugar coat my lyrics, and that I don't try to be something that I'm not. I want listeners to be interested in getting to know me through my music, not just because I sing a certain phrase over and over again and they've heard it on the radio 100 times.
IML: You grew up in the Manhattan prep school environment, and you never quite fit in or got on the "track" many kids from that world feel they need to stay on. Can you tell us about those experiences?
Jackson: I think because of movies and TV and stuff, people in my prep school were trying to live up to a stereotype of how they should act or what they should be wearing. Fortunately, I caught on very quickly with a group of friends who loved me regardless of whether or not I fit in. Other things became more important to me. I wasn't so concerned about whether or not I was going to be a lawyer or a doctor or something like that. I was more interested in fields of music and acting and the arts. Even in New York City where there are so many opportunities, there's a mentality where people would say, "No you can't do this because you're from here." So all the "Gossip Girl" type expectations, sometimes they're there but you can still find cool people and I was lucky enough to meet them and grow up with a great crowd.
IML: You never felt like anybody gave you a hard time for doing your own thing?
Jackson: I think I was a little bit misunderstood in the sense that they didn't get why I wouldn't want to adhere to all the fads. I think they were more puzzled by what was going on because I kept a lot of my music to myself. It would appear to them that maybe I wasn't being a good student or didn't want to go the parties, but what I was really doing was writing or singing or trying to go to concerts. It was kind of this secret music life I was living.
IML: When did you know that you wanted to pursue music as an actual career?
Jackson: It was two very different moments. The first was what that first applause feels like. I was in sixth grade, I had to sing Frank Sinatra in the school play. I didn't know what I was singing about, but I got up there in the fedora and the whole suit, and I forgot all the words! So they restarted the tape, and I just smiled, because I had nothing to compare it to so I wasn't really that nervous, and I sang it through. When I heard that first applause...I got the shakes, I'd never felt anything like that before! Fast forward to 11th grade, I'd started this band and we had done some gigs through NYC, and when they all started figuring out what they wanted to do for college, I said to myself, Well, this is the point in my life when I get to make a decision as to how I want things to turn out, and if I go for it young. If everything goes badly, I'll use some form of this education in music to my benefit. If I can't make it in singing, I'll be a songwriter or a backup musician or a producer. I knew, someway or another I couldn't NOT have music in my life.
IML: Good point: You don't have to become a pop star to have music be your career. There's such a range of things you can do to make a living and do what you love.
Jackson: One of my favorite musicians is John Mayer and I would watch him religiously and follow anything he would say. He said something once that really struck a chord with me, which was, "You define your own success." You have to say to yourself, I'm happy if I can sell a thousand records, or if I can go down the street and buy my own record, or simply buy myself a meal! There are people who sell a million records and aren't happy because they want to sell 2 million. And then you're just making tracks, you're not making songs that mean something to you. I'd rather have it mean something to one person than just be background music in an elevator to a million people!
IML: That's a great philosophy. Has your family been supportive of you during all this time?
Jackson: Yes, that's one thing I'm so lucky and blessed to have had! A mom and sister and family who really supported me and took an interest in what I was doing. There are families who just give you the okay and then there are families who really want to come hear you sing and be a part of it, and my mom has always loved music. They've done a great job of saying things like, "Maybe that wasn't the greatest song but we love you, keep going, we want to hear what you're playing." They never told me to shush, which was tough for my mom with me singing in the car! She's still there every day checking my YouTube channel and I'm so happy that I get to make her proud, and show her that even in high school when teachers were saying, "What is your son doing, he's not paying attention in class?" I can say, this is what I was doing! I was thinking of all these songs!IML: What would your advice be for someone who doesn't have that kind of support?
Jackson: If your parents aren't that supportive, you should find some friends in school with similar interests or find some clubs or teachers that do drama, sculpture, singing, whatever. Try to go out there and find that support, because it's not going to come to you if you don't go out there and grab it for yourself. I was lucky enough that my grandmother got to hear one of my songs before she passed away recently. When I was 7 years old, she had told me, "Don't let anyone tell you no." Now I realize that she was saying, "Don't let anyone tell you that you're not good enough to do something."
IML: Why do you think it's important for young people to participate in the arts, even if they don't plan to pursue a career in those areas? Why do the arts matter?
Jackson: I think in the same way we participate in certain academic activities we don't pursue as a career. I studied biology and algebra, read philosophy books and all that. I didn't want to be a philosopher or a scientist or mathematician, but it introduced me to stories and brilliant people and amazing discoveries. While these classes are important because they teach you about other people, the arts teach you about yourself. When you learn about yourself, that gives you a better sense of the world and how to treat people, and art and music in general is universal. Two people who don't speak the same language can enjoy the same song or the same piece of artwork.
IML: Thanks, Jackson, for introducing us to your music and sharing your outlook on life and art. Good luck with the album!
Jackson: Thank you!
You can learn more about Jackson and sample his music on his website at www.TheJacksonHarris.com, where he also answers questions from fans.
