Harry Maes Interview on Nagamag.com

Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Harry Maes:
My current music is influenced by neo-classical and melancholic music with an underlying emotion which focuses on listening to and finding your inner voice of soul. You can also find elements of jazz / fusion, EDM, Pop and Guitar instrumental music influences because I've been producing in these styles before I chose my new musical direction in 2019.

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Harry Maes:
​I’m a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, piano/synths, drums, percussion). I’ve studied pop/jazz Guitar at the Rotterdam Conservatorium in the Netherlands. I've focused on playing fusion music in the 90s and started producing Pop and EDM after the year 2000. Between 2010 and 2018 I created fusion guitar compositions and video demos for various guitar related products. Since the end of 2018 I'm focusing on my new music direction.

Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Harry Maes:
Before the end of 2018 I was mainly focusing on producing music for other artists. In 2010 I've had a life threatening experience and it took me years to process all the emotions from that time. I've composed songs around 2012 that I've finally been able to work on again in 2019 and 2020. Inner Voice of Soul is one of those older songs that came to life in the last years. So my new music direction gave me the confidence to produce and finalize this music and choose to promote myself as an artist. It feels very liberating to finally share something that truly represents myself.

Nagamag:
Why have you chosen a new music direction in 2019?

Harry Maes:
At the end of 2018 I've made the bold decision to move from composing on guitar to piano! Because of that 2019 was a very intense but also exciting year in which I've forced myself to only compose on piano and improve my playing ability on piano. It was quite challenging but also liberating to not focus on guitar and fall back onto default patterns. The limitation of the piano has really led me to find my deeper underlying emotions, my inner voice and truly following my heart!

Nagamag:
Are your family or children also musicians?

Harry Maes:
My son Justin is a DJ and producer who lives in Seoul (South Korea). He's currently working closely with DJ Koo and LIPHOP and he's building his Entertainment Agency RISEDAWN specializing in Korean Future Pop and Digital Marketing. I've also worked with my daughter Tiffany during 2000 - 2010 in which we composed songs together and where she performed in the Dutch Eurovision preselection contest in 2004 and participated in the Dutch Idols 4 competition in 2008.

Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Harry Maes:
Ailee (DJ Koo, Undaunted, Justin Levai) "Heartcrusher"

Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Harry Maes:
Olafur Arnalds "Only the Winds"