Ronan Harris
Encyclopedia
Ronan Harris is a member of the act VNV Nation
, along with Mark Jackson
. For live shows the band are joined by 2 keyboard players. Ronan is credited with the songwriting, production, lyrical
, and vocal aspects of the band's music. In the past he was a journalist and the webmaster for the dark electro magazine Side-Line
.
The beginnings of Harris' leanings toward his love of darker music originate from his childhhod, when his mother would hum Whitehouse
tunes while baking in the kitchen.
Harris performed vocals for the futurepop supergroup Bruderschaft
on their Forever EP, and appeared on AFI
's 2006 Decemberunderground
album, providing electronic sequences and effects for some of the songs. Additionally, he has produced the 2001 Angels and Agony
album Eternity as well as remixes for a fair number of bands. He was a co-founder of Dependent Records
but left the label after VNV's Future Perfect album was released.
In 2006, Ronan Harris founded his new solo project Modcom, producing instrumental electronic music based entirely on the usage of analog sequencers and synthesizers.
Harris also performs live DJ sets.
to London
, England
and formed VNV Nation in 1990. In the same year, he released two 12-inch vinyl singles: Body Pulse and Strength of Youth. In late 1990, Ronan Harris moved to Toronto
, Canada. Between 1990 and 1994, Harris continued to work on VNV Nation's material. Finally, in 1994, Ronan Harris moved back to Europe where he soon met up with Mark Jackson, who joined VNV Nation as the drummer for live shows.
Since then, VNV Nation has released eight albums, and still has the same two members (although additional members are used on tour).
VNV Nation
VNV Nation are a British/Irish electronic music band originally from Dublin, Ireland and Essex, United Kingdom and now based in Hamburg, Germany. They combine elements of electro-industrial, trance, synthpop and electronic body music . The members are Ronan Harris and Mark Jackson...
, along with Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson (musician)
Mark Jackson is a member of futurepop duo VNV Nation, along with Ronan Harris. He is responsible for electronic drums, percussion and live keyboards. He is also established as a professional Club DJ and remix artist....
. For live shows the band are joined by 2 keyboard players. Ronan is credited with the songwriting, production, lyrical
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
, and vocal aspects of the band's music. In the past he was a journalist and the webmaster for the dark electro magazine Side-Line
Side-Line
Side-Line is an online music magazine specialising in electronic music, and electro-goth/industrial in particular. It was founded in 1989 as a print publication, and had a circulation of 6,000 in Europe and America...
.
The beginnings of Harris' leanings toward his love of darker music originate from his childhhod, when his mother would hum Whitehouse
Whitehouse (band)
Whitehouse are a pioneering English power electronics band formed in 1980, largely credited for the founding of the power electronics subgenre.-History and personnel:...
tunes while baking in the kitchen.
Harris performed vocals for the futurepop supergroup Bruderschaft
Bruderschaft
Bruderschaft is an electronic music artist's collective led by New York City-based DJ Rexx Arkana. Conceived as a charity project focused on cancer research and treatment in the wake of Arkana's father's death from the disease, Bruderschaft brought together a large number of artists from the...
on their Forever EP, and appeared on AFI
AFI (band)
AFI is an American alternative rock band from Ukiah, California that formed in 1991. They have consisted of the same lineup since 1998: lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backup vocalist Adam Carson, with bassist Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget, who both play keyboard and contribute...
's 2006 Decemberunderground
Decemberunderground
Decemberunderground is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band AFI. The album was released on June 6, 2006 through Interscope Records. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, selling 182,000 in its first week. The album certified Gold by the RIAA on August 30, 2006 and has sold...
album, providing electronic sequences and effects for some of the songs. Additionally, he has produced the 2001 Angels and Agony
Angels and Agony
Angels and Agony are a Dutch futurepop band consisting of vocalist Reinier Kahle, guitarist Erik Wierenga, DJ Marco van Belle on synthesizer and backing vocals and Fried Bruggink as sound engineer and drummer. The band formed in 1995 and produced two EPs before its first full album, Eternity ....
album Eternity as well as remixes for a fair number of bands. He was a co-founder of Dependent Records
Dependent Records
Dependent Records is a German independent record label that mainly focuses on aggrotech, electro-industrial and futurepop music. The label was founded in January of 1999 after the demise of the Off Beat label by former Off Beat A&R manager Stefan Herwig along with Eskil Simonsson , Johan Van Roy ,...
but left the label after VNV's Future Perfect album was released.
In 2006, Ronan Harris founded his new solo project Modcom, producing instrumental electronic music based entirely on the usage of analog sequencers and synthesizers.
Harris also performs live DJ sets.
Involvement with VNV Nation
In 1988, Ronan Harris moved from Dublin, IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and formed VNV Nation in 1990. In the same year, he released two 12-inch vinyl singles: Body Pulse and Strength of Youth. In late 1990, Ronan Harris moved to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada. Between 1990 and 1994, Harris continued to work on VNV Nation's material. Finally, in 1994, Ronan Harris moved back to Europe where he soon met up with Mark Jackson, who joined VNV Nation as the drummer for live shows.
Since then, VNV Nation has released eight albums, and still has the same two members (although additional members are used on tour).
External links
- Ronan Harris interview for EBM.gr music portal – 2008
- VNV Nation Interview with Ronan Harris by Alberta Stars – October 2007
- Side-Line Magazine Interview – October 2005
- JIVE Magazine Interview – 2005
- Interview for MK Magazine – 2003