I recently had the opportunity to exclusively interview Harrison Steele to learn five random facts about himself and the story behind his song Love Over Fear. Check out my interview with Harrison below:
Loryn: How would your ten-year-old self react to what you do?
Harrison: My ten-year-old self would react to what I do now by thinking, “Wow!!! I did it, but not in the way I expected.” I always dreamt of making a living doing what I love, but I thought it would be in the form of drawing and art. From around age five to about age 17 I spent most of my time drawing. It wasn’t until high school that I discovered my love of playing music and writing songs, unless you count the one time I sang a solo at one of my middle school music class recitals. My mom still likes to recall how that was the first time she really heard me sing. After high school, music progressively began to consume my life, drawing slowly faded to the background, and I eventually began playing music for a living.
Loryn: What lesson has the music industry taught you?
Harrison: The music industry has taught me that not everyone is going to approve of your artistic expression, but that shouldn’t stop you from playing your music and making your art the way that feels right to you. It will reach the people who it is supposed to reach. In short, stay true to yourself. Be kind and genuine to everyone you meet in the music industry. You never know where your next connection might come from. Stay humble; life has a way of knocking you down when you start to think too highly of yourself or live too much from your ego. Just because you are in the spotlight doesn’t mean you are more important than anyone else.
Loryn: What is the story behind your album title Love Over Fear?
Harrison: The story behind my second album title is about the struggle between love and fear, and ultimately the realization that you have the choice to choose love over fear. Each song on this album speaks to one of these two emotions, and some of them to both. There is one particular song on the album called, “Make Me A Believer” that talks about those people in our lives that help pull us out of fear and remind us that we are loved just by seeing their faces. It’s one of my favorite songs because I am blessed with many people who help me when I’m down and I strive to be that light for people in my own life, especially by sharing music. My entire pursuit of music and performing is wrapped up in the album title as well. The fact that I recorded the songs or have the confidence to step on stage in front of people requires that I choose love over fear. I feel the fear of judgment or of what people are going to think and then I overcome it with love; the love of doing my passion, the love of feeling like I’m doing what I’m meant to do, the love of sharing it with other people, and the love of seeing it touch other people.
Loryn: What lesson did you take away from developing your second album?
Harrison: The biggest lesson I learned from developing my second album is to involve other people. I did my first album alone. I recorded every instrument and vocal and then had someone mix and master it. With the second album, I worked with a producer from start to finish. It’s nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of, not to mention someone just to hit record so you can stay focused on the music. I also brought in other musicians to record certain parts for the second album, which produced great results. Everyone brings a different energy to a song and working together with other musicians created some of my favorite parts of the album. I also asked friends and family for feedback while working on the album, which I didn’t really do on the first one. It’s helpful to get feedback from people you trust so you can make improvements.
Loryn: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Harrison: I think people would be surprised to learn that one of my favorite bands of all time is Rush. Most people relate my music to Jack Johnson or John Mayer, who I also love, but they are on the opposite end of the music spectrum. I actually bought my first guitar and learned how to play and sing after hearing Jack Johnson for the first time. So I feel like it’s odd to people when they find out that I’m a huge fan of the legendary progressive rock band, Rush. My dad raised my brother and me on them. I listen to Rush regularly and thanks to my dad, I’ve been to 9 of their concerts; more than any of my other favorite musicians.
Be sure to stay updated with Harrison Steele by checking out his website: https://harrisonsteele.com/. Also, be sure to follow him on his social media platforms:
IG: harrisonsteele
FB: Harrison Steele Music
YT: Harrison Steele