Only in his sophomore year, Binghamton University student Harrison Zafrin has already built a huge following behind his electro-pop band Bombs and Bottles.
With catchy beats and provocative lyrics, it’s no wonder that many Binghamton students enjoy dancing the night away to his songs. Zafrin took the time to speak with Release about his music and his hopes to break into the industry.
Release: How long have you been playing and creating music?
Harrison Zafrin: Since I was 13, so for about seven years. I got started writing hip-hop music when I was like 14. I just bought a computer microphone and started making low-fi beats and a bunch of rap songs.
R: Where do you find inspiration for your beats and lyrics?
HZ: When it comes to Bombs and Bottles, I write songs about things that I know kids want to listen to. Basically, the songs are just about sex and drugs. It comes from life experiences and other musical influences. My favorite artist is Nine Inch Nails and I also use www.Pitchfork.com, which is a music journal-type website.
R: Does school ever get in the way?
HZ: Yeah it does; it’s very hard to find a balance between time for schoolwork and time for music. I realized this year that in order to make music work on a professional level, school has to take the back seat. I’m doing all that I can to finish school, but if it happens that it’s either school or music, I would choose music.
R: What is the significance behind the name Bombs and Bottles?
HZ: I was looking for a name that is accessible and catchy, but also meant what the music was about. Bombs and Bottles basically just means ecstasy and alcohol, so it’s all about partying. Actually, my friend Zach Gordon thought of it, so he gets the credit.
R: How would you describe your sound?
HZ: My sound is pretty much electro-pop — I try to keep it dance-y, synth-based and layered. I’m influenced from bands I like, which are ’80s new-wave synth-pop such as Ladytron, The Faint, La Roux and Depeche Mode. I like electronic music from all different types of genre.
R: Have you been approached by a label to be signed?
HZ: I’m working on signing a production deal with Allure Sound Studios, who produces tracks for people like Sean Kingston, Justin Bieber, Jadakiss and French Montana. Hopefully I’ll sign with them this summer.
R: Who sings the girl vocals on your tracks? Will she be involved in future projects?
HZ: She is a friend from high school who is not cooperating. In order to get my songs on iTunes under digital distribution, she needs to sign a contract, which she won’t do, so it’s delaying a lot of stuff. So, to sell my songs she either has to sign the contract or I’ll have to re-record with someone else. She won’t be involved in the future.
R: Where are your songs available to listen to?
HZ: They’re not on iTunes yet, but they can be downloaded on www.BombsandBottles.com. It’s a really simple website — all you have to do is press a big download button and you can get the songs for free. There are also links to my YouTube, MySpace and Facebook accounts.
R: What do you see for your future and what do you plan to do after graduation?
HZ: The goal is to make music professionally and make it my living. When I started this I really only wanted to work as a producer and not be the main person, not the person that becomes [a] celebrity. If that’s what happens though, then that’s what happens. I want to work with producers like RedOne or Polow da Don and, hopefully, in like five years I can go back to making music that isn’t pop music and more like weird, experimental electronic rock.