Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Harris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The idea really came from encouragement at home. My wife had always told me I needed to do something with this gift, but at the time I was only singing at karaoke nights or occasionally when asked for weddings or funerals. I never seriously considered taking it further, especially while serving full-time in the military. Once I retired, I finally had the freedom to explore it. I started performing locally and got a manager, who suggested I form an LLC mainly for tax purposes. What began as a practical step unexpectedly became the foundation for something much bigger. So, I took a chance and bet on myself, because I believed in me. Over time, I took over managing myself and began building this into a real business. What’s exciting is that I didn’t set out to solve a problem—it started as me simply living a dream. Now, it’s grown into a journey of creativity, learning, and growth. Even though I’m still in the early stages, I’ve gained so much experience already and I’m energized about where this path is leading.
Michael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m an independent R&B/soul artist, songwriter, and performer based in Richmond, Virginia, performing under the stage name Michael (Twin) Harris. People often describe my sound as smooth, soulful, and heartfelt—with a blend of lyrical honesty and timeless delivery that brings something fresh to contemporary R&B. Music has always been part of my life. Growing up with a twin brother in a musical household, I developed a love for melody and rhythm at an early age. Over the years, that passion grew into a craft. In early 2025, I released my debut album Just The Beginning…, which highlights my vocal depth and emotional range on tracks like “Brighter Day,” “Lovely Catch,” and “Dance With You.” In the summer of 2025, I followed that with a summer EP titled Sippin & Steppin, which has really soared and brought incredible momentum. The standout track Sip With Me has become my number-one streamed song, surpassing 1,300 streams. That may not seem like a huge number in the grand scheme of things, but for me, it’s exciting news—it shows that people are connecting with the music, and that’s what matters most. And on September 1, 2025, I’ll be releasing a 3-song single called From This Day Forward. Originally, I wasn’t planning to release it until summer 2026, but so much attention was sparked after I posted a video singing one of the tracks—a wedding song I wrote called Do Me The Honor. The response was overwhelming, and because I believe in making the fans happy, I shifted my plans and decided to release it early. My influences include legends such as Teddy Pendergrass, Anthony Hamilton, Dave Hollister, Jaheim, Johnny Gill, and Jeffrey Osborne, whose artistry continues to inspire the themes of love, growth, and human connection in my own work. Through my independent label, Harmoniq Entertainment, LLC, I’ve built a platform to create music that is meaningful, authentic, and fully independent. What sets me apart is not just the music itself, but the intentionality behind it—I want listeners to feel seen, understood, and uplifted. What I’m most proud of is betting on myself—turning a lifelong passion into a career that I control and can grow on my own terms. For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that this is just the start of my journey. My mission is to deliver music that resonates deeply, stands the test of time, and contributes to the rich legacy of R&B and soul.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
My social media audience started very organically. At first, it was just family and friends supporting me, but as I began performing more—whether live or through shared videos—my circle expanded. Friends of friends started tuning in, and soon I was getting messages from people I had never met, asking when my next performance would be. That’s when I realized social media could be more than just a place to post—it could be a true community built around the music. I make it a point to share consistently across platforms, not just announcements but also behind-the-scenes moments, snippets of new music, and personal reflections. I also go live to interact in real time, which gives fans a chance to connect with me directly. Collaborating with other artists has been another great way to grow—by cross-sharing audiences, both sides benefit, and fans get introduced to something new. Over time, this mix of word-of-mouth, live performance energy, and authentic online presence has allowed my audience to grow far beyond my immediate network. For anyone starting to build a presence, my advice is this: be consistent, be authentic, and don’t be afraid to show your personality. People aren’t just following for your product or your music—they’re following for you. Share your story, interact with your supporters, go live when you can, and look for opportunities to collaborate. The more you open the door for connection, the stronger your community will become.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
What’s helped me build my reputation is how I approach the community around me. When I’m surrounded by other singers or musicians, I don’t see them as competition—I see them as energy. Their talent pushes me to grow, and I believe in collaboration over competition. Building genuine friendships in this space has led to opportunities I never saw coming—creative breakthroughs, collaborations, and doors opening simply because we uplifted each other. Another key has been showing up. Going to events, supporting other artists, and introducing myself to promoters, DJs, managers, and everyone in between has made a big difference. People don’t just want to know your music; they want to know you. Over time, those real relationships build trust and familiarity, and that’s what makes people more likely to share your music, book you for shows, or advocate for you behind the scenes. While I am still working to connect with different venues to open opportunities for myself, I stay humble and continue to write and think of ideas that could also benefit other artists. That mindset not only keeps me grounded, but it reinforces that this journey isn’t just about me—it’s about the community as a whole. I also make it a point to connect with local venues—bars, restaurants, open mic spots, anywhere that hosts live entertainment. I talk to the owners, the managers, and even the staff, because every person plays a role in the ecosystem. And I treat everyone with the same level of respect, from the headliner down to the janitor, because word travels fast in a tight-knit community. At the end of the day, your reputation isn’t built on talent alone—it’s built on how you carry yourself. Being consistent, humble, and respectful has carried me just as far as my voice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.harmoniqentertainmentva.com
- Instagram: michael_twin_harris
- Facebook: michael-twin-harris /
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCfoc24wuuGOuEgL7BR27dzA?si=NybG8AFEBaaWWS0x
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user799422025/sets/just-the-beginning?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1&si=5CAAF43FF3614A6DA2EE76ACD8D6CEE9&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
