Harrison Hale shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Harrison, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m a wanderer, like Dion DiMucci said. I tend to go from one thing to the next without a real set idea. Everytime I sit down in the studio, I don’t know what I’m going to create, or if I’m going to be able to create at all! It’s the ebb and flow of life, and something I’ve had to teach myself. While yes, you ‘Can’ make music even when you don’t feel like it, but is it something that you’re going to enjoy? Is it something that feels complete and full? Some days it just isn’t going to work, and then other days it’ll pull you in a whole new direction entirely. I don’t like to fret about the path, I’m here to enjoy the journey music has, and will take me on!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Harrison Hale, aka Loop, and I’m a 23-year-old music producer and engineer. I got into this whole field on no more than a whim in 2019, but I really got into the groove during the Pandemic. Back then I was just producing, trying to get a feel for different styles and genres. I found my calling making rap beats around that time, too. I dove headfirst into it with no real clue on how to make a name for myself. Five years later, and a lot of work by myself and with Lamar Adot Thomas, I’ve got five executive producer credits, as well as a beat tape and a few singles. Outside of rap, I’ve been making some EDM, which should be coming soon. I’ve also really taken to the engineering side of it. I love ensuring all of the pieces come together to create the right final product for the band and for the listener. I was surprised to find that I really love this side of the industry. I see this as a puzzle with all the pieces but no real instructions for how to put it together. That’s the fun of it; it really gets my brain going.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Me and my mother. As she’s gotten older she’s realized the similarities in our brians. Now while mine is much more complex, she could still help me in my darkest moments. Whether its a shoulder to cry on, or a new perspective on life, she’s always been there. “You are appreciated” ~ Tupac Shakur ‘Dear Mama’
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“Quit wishing to be normal”. For years, the thought lingered “I wish I was normal” Going all the way back to when I was a young boy, though I was diagnosed with Asperger’s when I was 7, I knew that I was different. I can’t tell you the exact moment I had the thought, but I can tell you that I held on to that belief until a couple of weeks ago. After being in a rut for weeks, my mother told me, “Stop trying to make your brain work like everyone else’s. Use your ‘powers’ to your advantage.” It broke me. It didn’t matter if she directly called out my “dream” of normalcy; I understood it. This “hope” of one day being like everyone else has taken me to this point, now I see that my “super powers,” as we call it, are what will continue this journey. The fact that I’m NOT like everyone else is pretty cool when you think about it. I’m learning how to grapple with it, but I know I’ll figure it out. I’ve taken it this far to quit now!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That you have to constantly compete with the hottest trend. Nobody is out here making music like Elton John anymore, not even him. It’s hard to not follow the trends, espiccialy if theres a good pay day on the other end. When I go listen to the Greatest Albums of All Time by Apple Music you can hear one constant, the soul thats in every song. From Ms. Lauryn Hill’s ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ to Rage Against the Machine’s self titled album, you can hear the raw emotion. Thats something you can never replicate, and it’s something we, as musicians, are straying further and further from.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I helped someone through a dark time. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to achieve. Music has helped me through my darkest times, I feel I was given this ability for a reason, and I won’t let it go to waste.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.loop288prod.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loop288prod/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Loop288
