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On Managing Michael Sean Harris

Part 1

YardEdge: Why are you an artist/musician?

Michael Sean: In the 1970’s there were little known genetic experiments being done on children born every other quarter of the hour. I was born at 7:15- it was just my turn…ok, that’s a lie -I was born one. The schools I attended were fairly strong in the arts as well. At Vaz Prep, I was in many choirs, percussion band, drama- we were singing all day in some way or other. Wolmer’s Boys’ was the same- the choir at the time was very strong, with Jeffrey Shields and then Lloyd Brian.

YardEdge: What’s your earliest memory of making music?

Michael Sean: Singing along to country music and calypso with my father…maybe age 3 or 4.

YardEdge: How would you describe your work?

Michael Sean: Which aspect? (LOL) Managing Michael Sean Harris is a full time job. I perform, lecture, compose, coach, consult, do my own PR most times, bookings, publishing… It is intense and engaging. It’s all music and the arts. I’d love to have a team doing most of this so I could just create and perform, but I’ll keep doing everything until my situation changes.

YardEdge: How did you get started singing and writing?

Michael Sean: I have been singing since prep school, doing solos etc. While in High school I was given a keyboard as a Christmas gift- I started writing and composing then- I still have many of those early compositions on cassette. (My sister used to say every one of my early compositions sounded like depressed Chinese music- if you can imagine that- Sigh!)

In 6th form a group of us entered the drama festival with a piece written by Livingston White called ‘Not Just a Nightmare’- I wrote the songs for it. Cathi Levy was a judge for the competition. After, she invited us all to join Little People and Teen Players Club- been singing and writing ever since. It eventually led to my doing a degree in music at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

YardEdge: Do you consider yourself more of a song writer or a performer?

Michael Sean: I think I’m equal parts- stirred, not shaken.

YardEdge: What other artists have influenced you and how?

Michael Sean: My earliest influences were ABBA and The Beatles…and of course country music- you can hear the Abba influence in the way some of my background vocals are arranged. Rai is also a big influence, artists like Khaled Ang others. Coldplay, Def leppard, Stryper, Robbie Nevil, Peter Gabriel, Sting , Enya, Third World, Bob Marley…the list goes on- you can hear it in my music.

YardEdge: What other interests do you have outside of creating art/music?

Michael Sean: I’m an actor as well- I’ve done quite a bit of theatre. I also have an interest in video production and editing and also some basic graphic design as I tend to wear many hats when it comes to getting my music ‘out there’.

YardEdge: What inspires you to create/write music and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?

Michael Sean: Many things inspire me: people, situations, other songs, folk music, happiness, distress, love, anger. When things get tough- I have to tell myself that this is my dream, and if I am not supporting my own dream- no one else will. I really don’t feel I have much of a choice anyway- this is what I feel I was born to do.

YardEdge: What do you enjoy and not enjoy about teaching?

Michael Sean: I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned either though experience or structured learning. I feel it’s important to share and it’s great when you can look at the people you’re sharing with and tell that they are getting something from it. What I cannot deal with is when people who obviously should be doing something else- people who have no real love or exuberance for music or the arts, put themselves before me and waste my time. They will never ‘get it’ and it wastes the time of the others who have more than a passing interest in music.

YardEdge: Upcoming projects?

Michael Sean: Working on completing an album- I’m doing it independently so I’m taking my time. I’m also hoping to put finishing touches on another album for my creative partnership – Joy Mechanics. We already have one album of inspirational music out. I’m planning a show for the Phillip Sherlock Centre with my band and invited guests- it should be a really intimate vibe that will give me a chance to talk a little bit about the music and allow the audience to really hear the stuff- still looking for sponsors- but that won’t stop me. I’m also going to be in the next production by father Holung and friends called ‘YES!’.

YardEdge: How have you handled the business side of being an artist?

Michael Sean: I’ve had no choice but to. It certainly isn’t easy…especially in Jamaica.

YardEdge: How would you describe the state of the Jamaican “music industry”?

Michael Sean: It’s a bit more of a hussle than a real industry. I’d love to see some real structure. Regulations with teeth and organizations that actually do something. There’s an American concept of ‘the Good Ole Boys’- I have the impression it’s not really unique to America.

YardEdge: Are you more of a fan of dance hall or reggae?

Michael Sean: I love them both. I love the innovative production and artists in dancehall and reggae done well is beyond compare.

LOOK OUT FOR PART 2 TO COME.

You can contact Michael Sean Harris via his website:

http://www.myspace.com/michaelseanharrismusic

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On Managing Michael Sean Harris Part 2

16 Comments

  1. October 8, 2014 at 10:18 pm — Reply

    Normally I do not learn post on blogs, but I wish to say
    that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so!
    Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice post.

  2. January 9, 2011 at 3:28 pm — Reply

    […] more on Michael Sean Harris, see YardEdge interview. JAN […]

  3. […] Read YardEdge’s interview with Michael Sean Harris. […]

  4. […] Check out YardEdge interview with Michael Sean Harris Part 1 &  Part 2 […]

  5. […] For more about Michael Sean Harris, see […]

  6. Garfield Johnson
    February 7, 2009 at 7:18 am — Reply

    Michael makes music “more than”. The passion and joy can be felt in every note and phrase that he puts out there when he performs, writes or does a flyer. 🙂 It’s beautiful to witness someone who knows who he is (not what he does) and is is not afraid to fulfill that role in the best way he can. My hat is off to you sir! Live the dream!

  7. […] For more about Michael Sean Harris, see his YardEdge 2 part interview, On managing Michael Sean Harris […]

  8. […] For more about Michael Sean Harris, see  YardEdge Interview with Michael Sean-Harris […]

  9. Phyllis A. Green
    August 28, 2008 at 9:02 pm — Reply

    Great interview Michael!! Keep up the good work never forgetting who you are!! All the best!!

  10. August 27, 2008 at 7:53 am — Reply

    Michael is inspiring to hear and inspiring to read. Great music, great interview, great person. So happy to have known him and to have worked with him at Berklee. His work, his music, his spirit is a light in this world and especially at this time in history. He continues to be an inspiration.

    -dB

  11. Karl
    August 26, 2008 at 3:40 pm — Reply

    Just absolutely wonderful to listen to and I love his original material – the thought and effort given to the composition, musicality and quality of the production is impressive!
    MSH to di worrrrl!

  12. Adorah
    August 26, 2008 at 3:07 pm — Reply

    Micheal is an excellent tutor and I feel honoured to have had some of his wisdom passed on to me… Im tiried of hearing get rich quick musicans with mediocre music and Micheal is a breath of fresh ear from all that.
    You guys need to request his new single Table Top and in case he is too humble to say it… I will “Micky a di best ting since slice bread Raeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!”

  13. Cecly Bllock
    August 26, 2008 at 9:12 am — Reply

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I look forward to more.
    Hope your dad has seen it.
    Would love to have my Daddy see it, and not to mention Mama.

    I am sending it out.

    Have a great day.

    Love you.

  14. Antonia Ross
    August 26, 2008 at 9:02 am — Reply

    I have had the opportunity to be a recipient of Michael’s wealth of musical knowledge and I am telling you, “HE’S ONE OF THE BEST.” I have also had the pleasure of doing background vocals for him at Christopher’s while I was in Jamaica and boy…the music, the energy, the vibes was immaculate. Michael is a true musician and he has the passion that will take him higher than the stars. Continue to do what you’ve been blessed with Michael.

    I am inspired by you
    Antonia
    Singer/songwriter/Performer

  15. […] Original post by Karin […]

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