Graphic designer Andrew Harrison grew up in Rocky Hill in a house of music and creativity.
“My grandmother played piano, my mother played piano and my older sister played the piano, flute, clarinet, and piccolo,” said Harrison.
Harrison brought his talents with the saxophone to the family band while still in elementary school.
“I didn’t start playing the guitar until I was in college,” he said. “I bought a cheap Fender acoustic to see if I would actually like it.”
Harrison has yet to put the instrument down and began to idolize guitarists like Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine.
Harrison, 25, attended Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire, earning a degree in graphic communications.
“I have always been into creative things such as drawing and graffiti art,” said Harrison.
After graduating from college, Harrison worked as a graphic designer for United Abrasives in Willimantic. He also began working as a freelancer to promote his own talents as well as to earn some padding for his wallet. He began Harrison Design as his private freelance entity.
“I have always had a wild imagination,” said Harrison. “So getting paid for what comes natural is not a bad gig. My design influences lean towards the conceptual thinkers, such as David Ogilvy. He was a brilliant ad man that pushed creativity and raised the bar, which made advertising what it is today.”
After leaving United Abrasives in 2007, Harrison became an associate art director at Marketing Drive in Norwalk. Marketing Drive is a national marketing agency that works with clients such as Absolut Vodka, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Pace Salsa, Dannon Yogurt, Gillette, Welch”™s and Lindt Chocolate. Harrison still has his freelance operation today.
Harrison”™s time is fully invested in his creative pursuits.
“If I’m not at work, I”™m playing guitar or looking at brilliant campaigns, art or photographs,” said Harrison. “Music has always come naturally to me. There”™s never a rest from creativity.”
Harrison, atypical of most rockers, is still with his first band, Captain Blood Radio.
“Everyone in the band has tremendous talent,” said Harrison.
In addition to Harrison, his band is comprised of all Fairfield County residents: Jesse Austin Lewis on vocals, Luke Rogers on guitar, Kyle Elizabeth Wilson on keyboards, Arturo Moreno on bass and Sean Nye on drums.
Harrison plays a Fender Stratocaster, a mainstay of rock guitarists from Buddy Holly to Eric Clapton.
“I have a wide range of musical influences today,” said Harrison. “If it sounds good, I will listen to it.”
Harrison said his favorite bands include, among others, Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, Incubus, Coldplay, Radiohead, Black Keys, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine. ?The band plays at venues such as Alphabet Lounge in New York City and City Ale House and Billy Baloney’s in Danbury. They recently made it to the final round in the battle of the bands at The Space in Hamden.
“We are currently working on recording tracks,” said Harrison
Harrison said every Sunday the band can be found practicing and before gigs up to three times a week. Captain Blood Radio plans to have their EP out by the end of this summer.?Harrison said that he feels that continuing to express his creativity in work and on his own time can only lead to success.
“Whether in design or in the band, I’m a hard worker and very hungry,” said Harrison. “When I set my mind to something I give it my all.”
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Photo by Alex Ward.
