Harrison Lee: From Metal Bands to Electronic Beats as BrokinPaper
On an overnight flight from New York City to Berlin, Harrison Lee was in a zone of creativity and excitement. The NYC-based producer, who creates electronic music under the moniker BrokinPaper, dedicated the entire eight-hour journey to meticulously crafting his set for an exclusive Gucci afterparty. This moment marked a significant rebound in his career, highlighting a crossover from underground scenes to the glitzy world of fashion and high-profile events.
Arriving in Berlin, Lee was greeted with a stunning all-Gucci outfit to wear during his performance. This was not just any job; it was a high-stakes opportunity, blending the realms of fashion, electronic music, and celebrity. The afterparty exceeded expectations, with Lee’s sharp-edged, brooding productions resonating perfectly with the brand’s chic, avant-garde image. Amid the glamour, he found himself performing in Times Square just two weeks later, pumping out techno beats influenced by his time in Berlin. To top it off, images of his face graced the iconic digital billboards during the event, further solidifying his growing reputation.
“Being born and raised in New York City, it was just so crazy,” Harrison reflects. “I’ve been here my entire life, and then this was happening.” The whirlwind of events signifies not only a career peak but also a profound realization of his aspirations as an artist.
Early Sparks of Creativity
BrokinPaper is not just a product of the present; it’s the culmination of years of musical exploration. Harrison’s journey began in his teenage years with a metal band named Broken Paper Wings. However, when that project didn’t take off, he pivoted towards a solo career with dreams of electronic production. This transition occurred around 2010, a pivotal year when the sounds of Skrillex began to dominate the dance music landscape. Inspired by this evolution, Lee began to experiment with dubstep and house, seeking a unique voice within the electronic realm.
The emergence of electronic music in mainstream culture opened new pathways. “I started producing dubstep, house, and a bunch of different things just as an experiment,” Lee recounts. His ability to fuse different genres and attract diverse audiences quickly became the hallmark of his work.
Key Influences and Inspirations
Lee’s fascination with electronic music deepened as he immersed himself in New York’s vibrant art scene, all while drawing inspiration from pioneering producers like Boys Noize and Gesaffelstein. Both artists are known for their groundbreaking work straddling various genres, illustrating the potential for electronic music to capture a wider audience — a concept Lee found appealing.
A pivotal moment came when he stumbled upon Gesaffelstein’s remix of “Rocket Number 9.” “I was like, ‘This is incredible,'” Lee recalls, expressing admiration for the way electronic music could transcend traditional genre boundaries.
Breakthrough Moments
In 2019, the release of his EP The Maslow, particularly the track “Sapiosexuality,” defined a watershed moment in Lee’s career. It was during this period that he felt he truly discovered his sound, leading to a surge in visibility. “That was the first time the Spotify numbers started growing by themselves,” he notes. The success continued into 2020 with “66023C,” featured in a Zara haircare campaign that aligned him with high fashion.
“That was the start into the brand element of it all,” he explains, showcasing how strategic collaborations and visibility played a significant role in shaping his career trajectory.
The Album: Function Over Form
BrokinPaper’s latest album, Function Over Form, released on September 9, is a testament to his growth as an artist. Featuring seven tracks that display a balance of heavy beats and cerebral sounds, the project marks a new chapter. One track, “Damage,” achieved editorial playlist placement on platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music — a first for Lee — and provided a significant boost to his streaming catalog.
The album also includes a collaboration with Belarusian producer Jenasi, featuring a remix of “Antidote.” This cross-cultural collaboration represents BrokinPaper’s intention to delve deeper into the harder and darker tones of electronic music, a direction he finds increasingly compelling.
A New Approach to Performance
Lee acknowledges that performing has been a source of stress in the past. “I used to plan DJ sets and it would honestly be stressful for me,” he admits. Recognizing that this stress affected both his enjoyment and audience experience, he decided to adopt a more organic approach to DJing. This shift was solidified during a low-key performance at a coffee shop, where he discovered the joy of improvising and playing in the moment without the weight of expectation.
“I’m just DJing for friends. It was the first set where I didn’t plan anything,” he reminisces, noting how refreshing it was to connect with the crowd without the pressure of meticulous preparation.
What’s Next for BrokinPaper?
With upcoming shows in the pipeline and a follow-up album titled Form Over Function in conceptual stages, BrokinPaper is eager to continue pushing boundaries in his music. He envisions this next project featuring “more summery tunes and daytime party type stuff,” a continuation of his artistic evolution.
As he finds himself alongside high-profile artists and events, Harrison Lee stands at an exciting intersection of fashion and music. “It’s amazing knowing that my music has enough influence for people to want me to be a part of what they create,” he says, reflecting on the rewarding nature of his growing impact in the industry. Whether rocking a coffee shop or a haute couture afterparty, BrokinPaper is poised for continued success and unexpected opportunities in the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music.
