Saint Harison

UK soul singer Saint Harison has a heavenly voice that has devoted listeners praying for more. Born in Southampton, Harrison Fisher was destined for greatness and his early talents helped him rise above hardships that plagued his young life.

His work evolved from teaching students in the classroom to schooling fans on high notes in a music venue. In a relatively short amount of time, his extraordinary vocal skills were noticed by icons like Elton John, who invited him onto his Apple Music radio show Rocket Hour.

Saint’s ghosted EP debuted this year and the fresh material has him visiting new places for his incredible live shows. Concert ticket holders can witness in person his agile range as he flips between high falsetto and his chest voice for songs like “ego talkin’” and “homies.”

Earlier this year, Harison performed as an opening act for fellow queer artist Sam Smith. While there are obvious comparisons between the two out-and-proud vocalists, each of them has something unique to offer the future of the music world while celebrating vocal stylings from the past.

Saint Harison took time out of his busy schedule at Lincoln Hall to discuss his life painted in pink.

JN: (Jerry Nunn) You were born in Southampton, which is nicknamed Saints. That’s where your moniker originated?

SH: (Saint Harison) Yes.

JN: Why did you drop one of the Rs for Harison?

SH: Because I couldn’t get the full name on Instagram. [laughs] There’s really nothing crazy to it. For some reason, Saint Harrison was taken, so I tried with one R.

I never thought I would be that successful and I might regret it one day, but now I am used to it.

JN: When did you first realize you could sing?

SH: When I started singing, I was about seven years old. I remember trying to sing like Mariah Carey, because I loved her. I enjoyed singing songs by artists like Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin.

When I sang, I saw shocked looks on people’s faces. I don’t think I would have known I could sing if it weren’t for people’s reactions as a kid.

JN: You worked as a school teacher for a while?

SH: Yes. I taught school choirs and music.

JN: Then it suddenly bloomed into a career for you?

SH: Yes. It was so random and it was during the pandemic. I was making TikToks because I didn’t have to go to work. I didn’t have social media accounts in 2020, but my friend suggested I post on TikTok.

I wasn’t really interested in that, but Jazmine Sullivan had released a song called “Pick Up Your Feelings,” which I loved singing, so I sang it, then posted it on TikTok. It really just started from there…

JN: How did you get connected to Elton John?

SH: The first song I put out on my own was called “why didn’t you call???” and he really loved it. His people invited me to his show and I was freaking out at the time. I couldn’t believe I spoke to him in person and I knew I would remember the moment forever.

Now he calls me and FaceTimes me. He checks in on me and wishes me luck. He’s an incredible supporter of upcoming artists.

I have known him since 2023, so three years now, and I have had an amazing experience with him.

JN: I see you have a Dolly Parton tattoo.

SH: Yes, her album Rainbow was the first album I ever bought. I found it at a yard sale.

JN: I watched the clip of you singing “And I Am Telling You” on The Jennifer Hudson Show in 2024 and I started crying. The notes you hit made me emotional and your voice is a gift.

SH: Thank you.

JN: Have you been to Chicago before today?

SH: No, but I arrived yesterday and we stayed in Naperville, Illinois.

JN: That’s an hour away from the city.

SH: It was very nice and they have a Nando’s Peri-Peri. I really enjoyed it.

JN: The gay bars are right by this venue if you want to go out after the show.

SH: Maybe, but I have to be on the bus to travel to Detroit at midnight.

JN: Speaking of transportation, you have a car accident in the music video for “stuck.” Was that something that happened to you in real life?

SH: No. I was trying to think of a way to explain the feeling visually of the toxic cycle of being stuck between wanting someone and realizing they are not good for you.

I didn’t want another person in the video. It is cringe to me when I see romantic partners in videos, so I wanted to make it this way.

The idea behind it was that I willingly get in the car then the car is following me. I get out, but then I get back in to crash at the end of the video.

This was a way to visually represent what that relationship I was in felt like.

JN: Your track “bad” reminds me the singer Maxwell.

SH: I love that.

JN: Was he an influence when composing it?

SH: I feel like my influences are so prominent every time I write a song. I am always thinking   WWBD (What would Beyoncé do?) in my head when I am writing.

I wrote “bad” with my producers NovaWav, a duo who has worked with Beyoncé in the past. I knew they were perfect for this R&B single.

I went in with intention for sure.

JN: You also worked with Yakob, who has collaborated with Sienna Spiro. Have you met her?

SH: I have met her and I saw her live at the Blue Note in LA. It was one of the best live vocals I have ever heard in my whole life.

I did “white to a wedding” with Yakob and we have known each other for a long time. We have a lovely working relationship and I am so happy he was part of this project as well.

JN: I could barely see Sienna Spiro’s set at Lollapalooza because it was so packed. I saw a glimpse of her green dress.

SH: The best way to spot her is to look for a big beehive poking out in the crowd. There she is! [both laugh]

JN: How do you protect your voice?

SH: I drink tea and I spend time resting it while watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I can hear women screaming on the Bravo show instead of listening to myself.

I give so much at my concerts and this is the first time I have done this many dates. It will be interesting to see how my voice holds up.

I tend to give a million percent and I sometimes forget how to sing with good technique when I am onstage. I just want to rip into a song because I am so excited.

JN: I interviewed English singer Mika recently and he told me that he wished he had originally written lower notes because the songs are getting harder with age.

SH: I feel that. We do it to ourselves sometimes.

JN: You have had many challenges over the years. What would you say to your younger self now?

SH: It may sound cliché, but don’t give up hope, because I did. I was teaching and I had an amazing time doing it, but I gave up on my dream for a minute.

The universe pulled me back into the music business, but I wish that I hadn’t lost sight of my dream for a time. I had wonderful life experiences that I don’t regret, but everyone owes it to themselves to live out their dreams.

JN: I am glad you stuck with it.

SH: Me too.

Follow his holy voice on tour through October at saintharison.com