Today we’d like to introduce you to Harrison Heights.
Hi Harrison, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Alright, buckle up for this wild ride! Music’s been in my blood since day one. Pops was an entertainment industry exec, and our family rides to basketball, baseball, soccer and football practices were always a mobile concert. If I wasn’t playing sports I was either on the computer learning to code or my folks had me learning Piano, violin, recorder, singing in the choir, and I rocked ’em all as a kid.
My first concerts were along the lines of the Beach Boys, Earth Wind & Fire, U2 – you name it. LA life meant the Greek, the Bowl and the Coliseum were our second homes. Jazz festivals, Samba, R&B – we soaked it all in.
Teen years hit, and I was all about that underground hip hop life. De La Soul, Del the Funkee Homosapien – that stuff was my jam. Dove deep into the whole culture: bars, turntables, breakdancing, graffiti – the works.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. I was killing it in hoops – top 10 in the country, big schools knocking on my door. But music? That was my real squeeze.
Princeton was my next stop. Balled out, started a business, and got my English degree. But life threw a curveball when my old man passed. Suddenly, I’m juggling school, work, and trying to go pro in basketball.
Then bam! Type 1 diabetes joins the party. Dark times, but music had my back.
Post-graduation? Lakers summer league, then a career-ending injury. Tough break, but I bounced back, hustling in sales and marketing.
Next chapter: Sol Reflection and Big Thangz. Produced, engineered, and spit bars as 20/20. We even opened for some big names before I bounced to San Diego in 2011.
Tech world came calling, and I crushed it at some big time SD businesses including Digitaria, Smashtech, and Manscaped, as a Full-stack dev, director of engineering and Sr. Full-stack roles. Even taught coding at UCSD and LEARN Academy.
COVID hit, and I pivoted hard. Started The House of Sunsets, throwing sunset shows all over SD. Booked and paid over 250 local acts in two years. Talk about keeping the scene alive!
2021 rolls around, and life throws another curveball. Found out I’ve got stage 4 kidney failure. Now I’m on the hunt for a living donor so I can score a new kidney and pancreas. But you know me – I don’t let anything slow my roll.
Same year, I’m back in the game with The House Entertainment. Threw shows as H.I.M. (Harrison is Me), rocking spots like Bang Bang and underground warehouses.
March 2023, my boy Bryan Kato (SD’s best DJ, by the way) suggests I rebrand as Harrison Heights. Since then? I’ve been on fire, opening for heavyweights like DJ Ideal, Freshcobar, Terry Jasinto, and even Trey Songz.
Now, I’ve played almost every SD venue, including Bloom, Hard Rock, and Parq, and I’m about to drop some heat on LA. This chapter is just getting started, baby! Health challenges? Just more fuel for the fire.
Now, life threw some curveballs my way – kidney issues, diabetes, you name it. But here’s the thing: music became my superhero. It was like, “Hey, I can turn these struggles into some fire tracks!” So that’s exactly what I did.
Fast forward to now, and I’m out here curating vibes all over San Diego and beyond. I’m talking house, techno, hip-hop – whatever gets the crowd moving, you know? And with Harrison Heights, I’m not just dropping slappers. I’m using this platform to shine a light on health stuff that matters.
Bottom line? I’m here to facilitate positivity sonically, team up with other awesome artists, and connect with fans on a whole new level. It’s not just about the music – it’s about making waves both on and off the dance floor. Let’s go!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth road? More like a crazy rollercoaster through a minefield, my friend.
Life’s been throwing curveballs since day one. Lost my pops at a make-or-break moment – talk about a gut punch. Then, boom! I’m suddenly without a roof over my head for a few months. Real talk, it was rough.
Eventually, I made the move to San Diego to be near my mom. She’s retired now, and I’m doing my best to take care of her. It’s not always easy, but family’s everything, you know?
Then there’s the health stuff. Kidney failure and type 1 diabetes? Yeah, they crashed the party uninvited. Dialysis became my new hobby, messing with my energy and schedule like you wouldn’t believe.
But here’s the thing – all this drama? It’s just fuel for my fire. Breaking into the music scene isn’t a cakewalk for anyone, and I’m out here doing it while juggling all this other stuff. Building the Harrison Heights brand means non-stop networking, perfecting my craft, and navigating the wild west of promotion and gigs.
Every obstacle’s just another beat in this crazy track I’m laying down. It’s taught me to be tough as nails, take care of myself, and use music as my superpower. When life throws you lemons, you make a lemonade-inspired banger, right?
So yeah, it’s been one hell of a journey. But every struggle is just adding more depth to my sound. And trust me, what’s coming next is gonna be straight fire.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Alright, let’s break it down. I’m not just a one-trick pony – I’m the whole damn circus, and I mean that in the best way possible.
First off, I’m cooking up a unique sound cocktail that’ll blow your mind. We’re talking house, techno, hip-hop, and some experimental stuff that’ll make your ears do a double-take. Harrison Heights isn’t just a name, it’s a vibe.
But here’s where it gets wild – I’m not just the artist and DJ. I’m the entire operation. Label exec? Check. Marketing wizard? You bet. Web dev and graphic design? I’ve got that on lock too. Creative direction? That’s my middle name. And don’t even get me started on the fashion brand I’m building.
Social media? I’m all over it. Booking and promotion? Consider it done. Producing music? That’s my happy place. And yeah, I’m even crunching numbers and keeping the books straight. Jack of all trades? Nah, I’m mastering them all.
What sets me apart? I’m building a model that’s gonna revolutionize the game. I’m talking about bringing in artists, producers, models, and other creatives under The House Entertainment banner. It’s not just about me – it’s about creating a movement.
My sets? They’re a wild ride. I’ll take you from familiar territory with some killer remixes, then hit you with original tracks that’ll have you thinking, “What planet did this come from?” And trust me, it’s all fire.
Now, here’s where it gets real. I’ve taken my health battles and turned them into my superpower. Kidney failure and diabetes? They’re just part of my rhythm now. I use my beats to shine a light on these issues, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer.
Whether it’s a cozy San Diego spot or a massive festival stage, I read the crowd like a book and deliver the perfect sonic adventure. It’s not just about dropping bangers (though I do that too). It’s about telling a story through sound.
What am I most proud of? The fact that I’m doing all of this, juggling every aspect of the business, and still pushing boundaries. I’m not just making music – I’m building an empire, one beat at a time.
Bottom line? I’m here to curate vibes and leave you thinking, “Damn, that was something else.” That’s the Harrison Heights experience, baby. And trust me, we’re just getting started.
How do you think about happiness?
What gets me fired up? So much! I’m living my dream despite all the uphill battles. Here’s what really gets me going:
* Making others happy – that’s my ultimate high. I’m a natural-born performer, baby. The roar of the crowd, the energy of the applause? That’s what I live for.
* Hosting is my jam, even though my health and home life have made it a bit more of a challenge lately. But you know me, I don’t back down from a challenge.
* San Diego, man. This place is special. I’ve bounced around the globe, but SD? It’s got my heart. Found the love of my life here, discovered my vibe, linked up with my tribe. It’s home, you know?
* That electric connection when the crowd and I are on the same wavelength. When I see people losing their minds on the dance floor, singing at the top of their lungs, and just living their best lives – that’s the good stuff right there.
* Creating tracks that hit people in the feels? That’s my jam. Music’s been my ride-or-die through all the health drama, and now I get to share that sonic therapy with everyone else.
* The magic that happens when you throw a bunch of creative minds together. Collaborating with other artists? It’s like mixing the perfect cocktail – unexpected, but oh so good.
* Using my beats to make a difference. Whether it’s getting people hyped or shining a light on health issues, I’m here to create some serious positive vibes.
* Building my brand and creating things – that’s my ultimate passion. Every new project, every fresh idea? It’s like oxygen to me.
* Seeing my mom smile. After all we’ve been through, knowing I can take care of her and make her proud? That’s priceless.
* The hustle. Yeah, you heard me right. Juggling all these roles – artist, DJ, producer, marketer, you name it – it keeps me on my toes and I love every second of it.
* Those moments when I nail a mix or finish a track and think, “Damn, I just created something epic.” It’s like catching lightning in a bottle.
That’s what happiness looks like in the Harrison Heights world. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s changing lives, one banger at a time. It’s not just about the music – it’s about creating joy, building connections, and leaving a mark on this beautiful city I call home. Every day’s a new adventure, and I’m here for all of it.
For more info on how to support me on my health journey, learn more about kidney donation, find out when my next show is, listen to music I make, or to check out my custom designed merch, head over to harrisonheightsmusic.com.
Pricing:
- * Show some love to your local beat-dropper (Costs: Zilch)
- * Smash that like button and drop fire comments (Price tag: Nada)
- * Spread the sonic goodness – share those tracks and events (Wallet damage: Zero)
- * Toss out compliments like confetti (Financial hit: Not a penny)
- * Give your ears a treat and stream a track (Expense: Free ninety-nine)
Contact Info:
- Website: harrisonheightsmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisonheightsmusic/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/harrisonheightsmusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hschaen/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/harrisonh8sofc
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@harrisonheightsmusic
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/harrison-heights
