Singer Jackson Harris on Breaking into the Music Industry
Photo courtesy of Shore Fire Media1/4How did you get your start in the industry?
"Growing up in New York City in the private preparatory world, especially with Gossip Girl on television, it was difficult to escape the stereotype of what was expected of me: internships, perfect SAT scores, Ivy League school. I was spending each night writing lyrics. As my friends went to college, I went into the music studio. I started putting out YouTube videos, and slowly, people started to take notice."
"The first video I put on YouTube was a cover of Jay-Z’s ’Empire State of Mind.’ He’s a huge inspiration to me—I always say he’s the unofficial mayor of New York. I did my own version of it, and we filmed a video and it slowly started to take off in the YouTube community. That’s when my fan base grew, and I was able to interact with fans. Suddenly, I had over 100,000 views, and I started to record original music. YouTube is—at least for music and entertainment—the new casting ground and world stage."
Photo of Jackson and Lucy courtesy of Shore Fire Media2/4Lucy Hale plays your love interest in your new video for ’Come Back Down to Earth.’ What was it like to film with her?
"It’s been a really life-changing experience. I remembered Lucy from the show American Juniors years ago when we were both about twelve—it was like the kid’s version of American Idol. I remember telling my mom I thought this girl was really cute. She was taller than some of the other girls and had braces, but I had a little crush on her, and I always remembered her face. I knew then that she was way too talented of a girl to not succeed."
"When I thought of who I wanted to be in this music video, I wanted someone that I could foreseeably want to be with, but also that girls respect and love. I wanted a real girl, and Lucy is the realest as they come. It was definitely nerve-wracking—I think I was more nervous for the kissing scenes than she was! She’s awesome to work with and a really sweet girl."
Photo courtesy of Shore Fire Media3/4How would you describe your style of music?
"My music is definitely mainstream top 40 pop/rock in its structure. I describe my music as the Adam Levine style of Taylor Swift honesty—in each song, you know whom I'm singing about and it's about a chapter in the story of my love life. You get to know what I've gone through in the last year—kind of like chapters in a book."
Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
"I love John Mayer; he's an incredible talent. I also like Jason Mraz, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra. I've got a huge crush on Adele—an enormous, unhealthy crush; it's so attractive how she can just sit and sing and bring the house down! I am religious about Drake; I have to listen to him at least three times a day."
Photo courtesy of Shore Fire Media4/4What do you hope to accomplish in the coming year?
"I want to be able to wake up, do what I love, and hopefully be respected for it. We're working on releasing my album, Sharks and Vampires. I love the name—I imagined, if I was a Brooklyn hipster and I didn't listen to mainstream music, what would I be drawn to? I'm figuring out a tour—it's all up to the fans and how much hard work I put in. I definitely think I've made my mom crazy, but proud, and that was the end goal."
