1 - The amazing Michael Harris, thanks for your time!
The pleasure is all mine!
2 - Tell us about your personal history and background for the fans at Mexico
I released my debut CD, an all instrumental recording, "Defense Mechanizms", worldwide on Leviathan in 1991. Since then, I have recorded 3 CDs with ARCH RIVAL (Melodic Power Metal w/light Progressive touches); SURGEON (Heavy Thrash Metal w/Progressive and Goth influences); CHASTAIN / HARRIS (Instrumental live band featuring music from David Chastain and my own solo CDs); MICHAEL HARRIS (4 solo CDs, which range stylistically from Metal, Classical, and Jazz/Fusion to Funk, Blues, and Progressive); ZANISTER (A new metal band w/myself and David Chastain, which also features my brother, Brian, on drums, James Martin on bass, and Brian Sarvela on vocals.)
3 - I always figured you could play pretty much any style you wanted, but what do you like to play a lot?
It depends on my mood, but I would say progressive the most, which of course, encompasses a lot of styles unto itself. And I have really been getting into jazz the last few years which I always incorporate into my original music.
4 -What motivated you to want to learn to play the guitar?
I actually saw some friends play down the street and just had to take it up. It looked so much cooler than trumpet, which I was playing at the time!
5 - When you were a kid, did you ever think that you would someday be one of the most talented guitar players of the world?
I didn't think about that much. I was having too much fun. I just took it day by day and enjoyed the music and the learning. As the years went by, I did become surprised at my own persistence. Some people like to go fly fishing. I play guitar. That's what makes the world go 'round.
6 - Who are your main influences?
When I started playing, players such as Ritchie Blackmore, Robin Trower, Jimmy Page, Michael Schenker, Uli Roth, Frank Marino, and then eventually Steve Morse, Al DiMeola, Alan Holdsworth, etc. There's always someone I leave out though!
7 - Who is your favorite guitar player?
It's hard to list a fave, as it depends on my mood and the style in question, but I think just for a natural feel, speed, and a flair for melody, Michael Schenker is just amazing. And Uli Roth started a whole new style of playing. But now I listen to George Benson!
8 - What projects are you currently working on?
I am composing a solo vocal CD and progressive supergroup CD
9 - Do you love doing live performances?
Absolutely! As a matter of fact, I am getting ready to go to Ohio for some dates in November with my live band, "The Michael Harris Tranz-Fusion", featuring my amazing brother Brian on drums, fabulous bassist, Jay Luis, and masterful keyboardist, Jeff Davis. This band just has a marvelous chemistry.
10 - Let's move on to the "Sketches" record. Was this a particularly challenging album for you to make?
They are all challenging. I can say that "Sketches" was very demanding and time consuming, but so were the others!
11 - I got your past 3 albums, and they are amazing!, but the new album, "Sketches", is something that I have to assume you are very excited about!. Where would you place it next to your previous work?
To me, "Sketches" sounds like my most unique recording. It's very "dark", which I like, and diverse, but less so than my others, making it my most cohesive release to date. As always, the compositions themselves are the most important element, and I was able to do a lot of things, from metal to jazz to acoustic, etc.
12 - Tell me about the "Prognosis" song (i really love this one!), there´s a couple of Jazz on it!. What is about?
Thanks. Yes, I tried to include a bit of everything on this tune, which is always fun and challenging. The clean jazz influence has really been coming out lately in my solos, so I morphed it into this song. And drumwise, my brother Brian did an amazing job moving from metal to jazz and hanging with the dynamics on this one!
13 - What´s your favorite song from this new record?
I like them all for different reasons, but probably "Prognosis" or "Two Worlds Beyond" if I had to pick one.
14 - What are your thoughts on the state of instrumental guitar these days?
I think it is still very strong. Thanks to the influence of bands like Dream Theater and the exposure of the internet, there are still great players from around the globe being heard. We're not seeing instrumental guitarists getting signed to major labels anymore, but there are still plenty of innovative players out there. There's something a little more special about the fans discovering something themselves anyway with no help from radio or major label promotion.
15 - You have had a respectably long career and have transcended all the popular musical styles that have come and gone. What would you attribute that to?
I have tried to stay true to what I do best, just create music for the "art", and hope that there are enough fans out there to support it!
16 - Where is the line between performer and musician for you?
I know that when I go to see a musican or band, I want to be entertained, but in the style of music that I play, a certain amount of concentration is involved, so the live performance end of it might suffer a bit, as the quality of the music and musicianship really do have to come first. However, I always try to encourage my band mates to show some enthusiasm onstage and to, at the very least, show facial expression, which says so much in itself. Personally, I try to encorporate both, and I also like interactions between the musicians onstage. I am singing a lot now as well, so that makes it impossible to NOT show facial expression!
17 - So what do you see happening right now in terms of guitar, and where do you see yourself in a few years?
I'm going to keep doing what I do and I'm thankful that other innovative guitarists are staying true to their art in spite of the lack of any kind of technique in the mainstream.
18 - O.K. Time for the heady question that I've been wanting to ask. You are easily one of the most influential underground guitar player on the scene today for kids that are coming up. How does that make you feel?
Well, music is my life, so that makes me feel very good of course. But I'm never content and always want to move forward and explore new musical challenges.
19 - What will be next for Michael Harris?.
Well, as I said, my next release will be a vocal CD, so I am rising to that challenge! And I am also working with a great great vocalist, Ted Leonard, from the band Enchant, on a progressive supergroup recording.
20 - And can we expect to see you in Mexico any time soon?
I would love to come and play again! I played some dates in Mexico City in the early 90s with Chastain / Harris and it was a great time and the fans were amazing!
21 - Is there anything else you would like to share with us that I have not asked?
Just to believe in the power of music and to spread a message of love, not hate, in hope of a better world.
Thanks again for your time, we really appreciated it!, and we hope to see you soon, thank you very much!.
Jorge Miranda.