Q&A: DJ/Producer BARRY HARRIS Re-Emerges from 4-Year Hiatus, Talks New Track 'Drama,' Working with KON KAN, PEPPER MASHAY, much more
He's the man who made you go dive in the pool. You also know him as one half of late '90s/early 2000s infamous remix duo Thunderpuss. And for those of you around back in the '80s (like me! lol), you remember him from his days with Kon Kan.
Now, super DJ-remixer-producer-singer Barry Harris is back, after a 4-year hiatus, with a new track 'Drama Queen (Texting U)', featuring the divalicious Simone Denny.
*****CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT 'Drama Queen (Texting U)' at Masterbeat*****
I'll keep the gushing short, cuz Barry's got plenty to talk about - but hands-down, his music is definitely one of the main reasons I am the club music addict I am.
And now, Muzo's very excited to say, I got the chance to ask Barry some questions - the superstar mixman talks up everything from his new track and his days with Kon Kan ('I Beg Your Pardon' was about his first boyfriend) to who he admires, his ADHD brain, new man and much more. Lets get to it...
*****
 |
BH: Thanks! I'm really excited! I had this idea in my head this past summer, but didn't really know what to do with it. As I was in the process of 'coming out of the woodwork' to decide if I wanted to do music again, I reluctantly joined the rest of the world and Facebook. (Click here to add Barry on Facebook) Wow! it changed my life within a week! I'd forgotten how many friends and colleagues in the industry I'd made over the years!
Suddenly, Simone was there too, and I instantly said to myself...'that's it'! She's the voice...of course! We've worked together on almost every side project I've done in the past except Kon Kan and Thunderpuss. I worked with her in the mid '90s as Top Kat, Outta Control & Killer Bunnies. We've done..hmmm...about 5 songs together over the years!
I had the chorus and concept, she got together with Jeanie Tracy to help out with the verses. After about a week or so of focusing on it, we all came together on the final lyric tweeks via emails and a few phone calls. It was all a lot of fun! I'm happy to have Jeanie Tracy involved!
*****
 |
BH: Funny you should bring that up. 'Drama Queen (Texting U)' is reminding me of those days! From creating it, to producing it, to promoting it, DQ is giving me deja vu!....and it's a good thing!
Kon Kan was never intended to be a band. It was an idea of a 'one off' where I'd hired a session singer. Once the song blew up later that year on 2 top 40 Radio Stations in Houston, it got signed to Atlantic Records and continued to blow up around the world. Yes dreams do come true. I was blown away!
Atlantic A&R insisted I turn Kon Kan into at least a duo. I decided 'what the hell,' and Kevin and I made the first L.P. together with other producers in L.A. in 1989. It of course changed my life forever. I have a lot of fond memories and gratitude for seeing the world from 1989 - 1991.
(Betcha never knew the verses in 'I Beg Your Pardon' were about my first boyfriend breakup experience!)
*****
 |
BH: Once again, I had an idea in my head for a song. It was more a concept. It was a record any DJ could play to have fun with the crowd. To ask the questions that they wouldn't DARE do on a microphone. So I thought I'd put it in a record they could play.
*****Click here for Muzo's interview with Pepper MaShay*****
I had the idea for a few years before I actually made it. I'd worked with Pepper for a few years doing backgrounds for Thunderpuss remixes, and I thought her personality would really add an extra sparkle to the concept! At first she was confused by why I wasn't asking her to sing! Anyway....her personality came through alright!
Between being on 'Queer As Folk' for the first 6-7 shows, 'Dive in the Pool' certainly became HER big theme song, which I'm cool with! I'm happy for her! She deserves it!
With 'I Got My Pride,' I prefer to write club songs that I feel will have longevity. If I'm going to stamp my name on them, then I believe in my heart at the time that they will last longer than a 'flash in the pan' song. I had the idea for 'I Got My Pride' for a few years before we made it. Pepper and I needed a follow up to 'Dive in the Pool.' I was pretty confident that 'I Got My Pride' would be a strong 'long term' followup...plus....Pepper now got to sing!
*****
Muzo: What's the biggest misconception people have about you?
BH: I'm not sure. You tell me? Hmm...maybe perhaps people think I only do 'a certain kind of music.' I've loved all types of dance music. I worked at the main Toronto Dance Import store off and on throughout the '80's and mid 90's. I'd think most people don't realize all the different kinds of musical influences that are running around in my crazy ADHD brain!
*****
 |
BH: David Bowie, Grace Jones, anyone with artistic edge and willing to take crazy chances.
*****
Muzo: Remixers/producers you admire?
BH: Hmmm....not really to be honest. Giorgio Moroder was a huge influence in the '70s & '80s, but I can't say that there's anyone in particular I currently admire.
*****
Muzo: So many people look up to you and, really, idolize you. Who are your idols?
BH: They do? I find that thought kind of odd actually. Who are my idols? All the older generation of pop stars that are still doing it and not blinking. U2, Rolling Stones, Madonna, David Morales, Carl Cox, Tony Humphries. They inspire me!
*****
 |
BH: Older influences. Patrick Cowley, Giorgio Morodor, Kraftwerk come to mind...synth, pop hook gods! My taste can sometimes be all over the place. I change the stations in the car constantly.
(Pictured right: Barry Harris with Cher and Thunderpuss partner Chris Cox.)
*****
Muzo: How has club music evolved in the 2000s?
BH: To my surprise, not very much. Where I come from ('70s, '80s, '90s), music has always been not only part of culture but also somewhat of fashion. Music always changed and evolved, and I would always embrace those changes. Now with the Internet & Global Village, it's changed everything forever.
Now there's TONS of different kinds of music genres...and always new music within each genre! Now music styles aren't changing as quickly as fashion anymore. It's now...pick your favorite type of music style and follow that! It's actually great in many ways. That 'musical fashion snobbery' doesn't really exist anymore! I'm quite happy about that!
*****
 |
BH: Like I've basically said, I'm a music junkie. I play piano, bass, guitar. I play a lot by ear, and just seem to have a knack for hooks & melodies. They don't really seem to stop in my head. Some are good, some are bad, some are cool, some are cheesy.
I will NOT do a remix or write a song that's only 1 note with an a capella and tribal drums. It just bores me and annoys me. I'd rather take 4 years off than do that and claim 'look at me..I'm SOO Cool and underground'........oh, ya...I DID take 4 years off!
DJ'ing is also a 'pressure release valve' to express this crazy musicality that's a part of my entire being.
*****
Muzo: Single or taken?
BH: Married to a great guy 1 year ago. We've been together 3 years now. He knows nothing about the music biz and new nothing about my musical past. Perfect! Bonus!
*****
Muzo: What's next for Barry?
BH: We'll see where 'the wind takes me.' Ya just have to do what you love, when you love to do it, and see what happens from there. I do feel that I've got 4 years of pent up creativity about to burst open in 2010. Start of a new decade, feeling refreshed, re-booted, reinspired, upgraded, updated!
Visit Barry Harris on Facebook
Copy code (below) to add image (above) to your page or post in comments. Thx 4 your support.
Want more hot DUDEZ, DJz & DIVAZ? Click da pic:
Visit MUZOPHILE on MySpace
Get yours at the MUZOPHILE BLOG
CLICK HERE FOR ALL RECENT ENTRIES IN THE MUZOPHILE BLOG
Have U bookmarked the MUZOPHILE Blog yet? Well whatchu waiting for?
For more random vids, news, etc., browse the categories on the left side of the page.
*****CONNECT WITH MUZO*****
FACEBOOK | MYSPACE | TWITTER
Visit the Official Site: MUZOPHILE.com
Visit the MUZOPHILE BLOG Homepage
TUNE IN NOW: MUZOPHILE RADIO on Live365
Posted by MUZOPHILE at 10/21/2009 11:39 AM 
Categories: 0Q and As,Simone Denny,Hot!,Pepper Mashay,Thunderpuss,Q and As,Barry Harris,0ALL LISTINGS,0News
Tags: Chris Cox Kraftwerk Pepper Mashay Simone Denny Giorgio Moroder Kon Kan Carl Cox Tony Humphries Thunderpuss U2 Patrick Cowley Barry Harris Cher Jeanie Tracy Rolling Stones Grace Jones Madonna David Morales David Bowie
Categories: 0Q and As,Simone Denny,Hot!,Pepper Mashay,Thunderpuss,Q and As,Barry Harris,0ALL LISTINGS,0News
Tags: Chris Cox Kraftwerk Pepper Mashay Simone Denny Giorgio Moroder Kon Kan Carl Cox Tony Humphries Thunderpuss U2 Patrick Cowley Barry Harris Cher Jeanie Tracy Rolling Stones Grace Jones Madonna David Morales David Bowie
Comments