Thursday Thoughts 007: Interview + Premiere with Maestro Harrell
This Thursday’s edition of the Thursday Thoughts series is a double feature!
American Maestro Harrell has one of the most impressive résumés of just about anyone in the dance music industry. As a TV star at age 7, and signed by Jermaine Dupri at 13, Maestro Harrell got his career started young. Dupri liked him so much, he took Harrell with him when he changed labels in 2007. Since then, he has cultivated a fantastic career, seeing the support of W&W, Martin Garrix, Tiësto and more. He has also teamed up with the likes of Maurice West and Dzeko & Torres for fantastic collaborations. Outside of music, Harrell is an actor and starred in the first season of the AMC spin off of “The Walking Dead” titled “Fear the Walking Dead,” as Matt. We were able to ask him about those collaborations, what it’s like to balance being an actor and musician, and what the future holds.
We are also proud to premiere Maestro Harrell‘s new bootleg of Tiësto and Diplo‘s “C’mon”. He built off of the energy of the original mix through the creation of an undeniable groovy vibe. The sound is infectious, and you will not be able to stop dancing!
Interview
How would you describe your sound to those who may not be familiar with it?
I would honestly describe my sound as melodic big room. I feel like right now theres sooo many kids trying to make the genre, but theres nothing special with the tracks. What I’m doing is taking my background from traditional progressive house and progressive melodies and bringing it to a larger arena.
Has there been any one artist who has been a mentor to you?
It’s funny, when I first started, people thought I was this actor turned DJ and no one would really help. I went from dead end to dead end. One of the first DJs to ever actually look at me as a producer and respect what I was doing was Dzeko and Torres. They gave me sooo much help and support which even lead to my Musical Freedom release. Then Tiësto began to believe in my project and help where he could. Then I met W&W and words can’t explain how much guidance and support they’ve given me, and are continuing to give me. I’m so lucky to have guys like them mentoring me, and giving me insight into how to build my career. I’ve been lucky to have such great people help out and believe in me. That being said, there’s still a lot of clowns in this industry who don’t get it but fuck ’em, right?
What experience did you gain while under contract with Jermaine Dupri?
That situation gave me insight that I needed to be my own producer. Being an artist can be very stressful and honestly, whack if you’re not making and putting out music that makes you happy. Jermaine is very talented and extremely successful, but when I realized I didn’t have control over my direction and vision, I realized, “I need to make my own music and do this myself”. Then I switched up the genres and did what I wanted and what made me happy.
A few months ago, you released “Poseidon” with Maurice West. How did that collaboration come about, and how was it to work with Maurice?
Funny, I think I messaged Maurice on SoundCloud or Facebook. When I say that guy is talented, he is TALENTEDDDDDD!!! I told him I wanted to do a collab and he was down with it. Luckily, we are both in Ableton so we just would send each other the project back and forth making our small changes, and “Poseidon” was born. Keep an eye out: Maurice will def be changing the game and making some big moves.
You have collaborated a few times with Dzeko & Torres, how important is that partnership to you?
As I stated before those guys are family. Whenever they come to LA, they stay at my house, I always travel to any shows of theirs I can and they’re actually responsible for my relationship with W&W and Tiësto. Those guys have gone above and beyond to give me any opportunities they could and I’m thankful for that. Also whenever either of us makes new music were the first people we send it too for notes lol.
Is it tough to balance the responsibilities of producing tracks and performing at shows while also being an actor?
It can be but I need all of that to balance me. Music inspires the acting and acting inspires the music. If I were ever one dimensional I would probably go crazy. When I’m on set I’m making music, my laptop and headphones go everywhere. I don’t play a lot of shows right now because honestly the checks haven’t been big enough so I’m like whats the point. When I do shows I want it to be something special and something that my fans can take with them for years to come. Fortunately I’m in a special place where I can do that. Also I have new music coming that is going to allow me to do that.
What has been your favorite moment in your musical career so far?
Greatest moment of my musical career hasn’t happened yet. But its probably gonna be when I sell out my first arena lol.
If you could give one piece of advice to a past Maestro Harrell, what would it be and why?
It would be stop being nice to the assholes in the industry. If they don’t fuck with you now they probably never will, so no point in biting your tongue. I would also tell him some production secrets so his beats could get better faster lolol.
Ansolo (Ansel Elgort: Divergent, The Fault in Our Stars) is another producer/DJ who is also big in the acting scene, what similarities and differences do you see between yourself and him?
He’s an extremely talented producer and actor, we make very different types of music, but I’m sure we have the same struggle of filming projects, going on auditions, etc and trying to finish music and travel. I’ve never had a chance to talk to him one on one but we have mutual friends. I def respect his hustle and he deserves every bit of his success.
What is in store for Maestro Harrell this summer?
This summer, there’s going more of the big room Maestro Harrell music you love, and some very different music I’m releasing for a different audience, where I’m using more than just my production skills. It’s gonna be a big summer, get ready.
Top 5 Songs
- Snakehips- Money on Me
- Ookay – Thief
- Rhianna – Needed Me (W&W Remix)
- Maestro Harrell – Siren
- Mike Posner – I Took A Pill In Ibiza (W&W Festival Mix)
About Thursday Thoughts:
At Dance Rebels, we strive to bring our readers as close to their favorite artists as possible. One of the best ways to make that connection is to discuss a wide range of topics with the biggest names in the dance music scene. If there is an artist that you think we need to talk to, reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter!
