Harrison Cohen
is an accomplished independent artist, strategist, and music industry consultant who has spent over a decade thriving at the intersection of music and business. As a creator who has built a sustainable career from the ground up, Harrison bridges the gap between raw creative vision and high-impact commercial execution.
The Artist Journey & Narrative
Raised in New York’s Hudson Valley, Harrison’s career began in the NYC creative circuit, leading to an early run on Season XV of American Idol. He has since fronted multiple successful projects, including Z by Z, Harrison Ash, and his current band, DUUNES, amassing over 10 million Spotify streams and more than 45 million views across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. His songwriting and vocal prowess have earned him global recognition on major editorial playlists (such as Spotify’s New Noise, Apple Music’s New In Rock, and Amazon’s Breakthrough Alternative) alongside releases via Terrible Records and Many Hats Endeavors. A seasoned touring act, Harrison has shared stages with Passion Pit, Del Water Gap, Five for Fighting, and Joe P, with festival appearances spanning SXSW, AVLFest, and Waynesfest.
The Business Side & Marketing Edge
Parallel to his creative milestones, Harrison holds a B.S. in Music Business (Magna Cum Laude) from Drexel University. He developed his foundational industry acumen through early roles at Downtown Music Publishing and The Orchard before serving as the Music E-Commerce Coordinator for Project M (now Live Nation). There, he built storefronts, optimized supply chains, and managed retail operations for iconic media brands like BrooklynVegan, Alternative Press, and Revolver.
Harrison’s real-world execution is best highlighted by his viral cover of “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” which generated millions of views and inspired over 10,000 user-generated videos. This firsthand success allowed him to master the mechanics of short-form algorithmic growth, the strategic use of covers to funnel listeners to original catalogs, and high-conversion CTA marketing.
Consulting & Speaking
Today, Harrison runs a successful freelance vocal and songwriting studio, having worked with over 75 producers and writers, including clients ranging from BMG to Novutone. A respected voice in the independent community, he has been invited to speak on artist growth at YouTube Music Headquarters for the TuneCore Masterclass and as an official panelist at SXSW. Through his consulting practice, Harrison translates a decade of triumphs and lessons into actionable frameworks, helping independent artists build solid business foundations, execute major releases, and avoid costly industry pitfalls.