Producer, Engineer, Musician
Michael Harmon
I have been making records for 20 years, and now I’m continuing that work out of my home studio: an 1850’s storefront that’s been in my family for 75 years, rebuilt by me in 2023
I was born in 1988 and spent my life growing up on Cape Cod (think offseason, boredom, isolation). I wasn’t particularly musical until about age 11 when my parents got me my first drum set for my birthday, and I practiced constantly. I took weekly lessons studying with Martin Vazquez, who eventually brought me to the Spirit of America marching band to tour the eastern U.S. and Australia by the time I was 14.
For more than twenty years, music has been at the center of my life. What began with a drum set on Cape Cod eventually led me around the world as a performer, from touring internationally as a young musician to studying Music Production & Engineering and Music Business at Berklee College of Music. Along the way, I developed not only a deep appreciation for the craft of making records, but also a belief that great recordings start with listening: listening to the music, the artist, and the story each song is trying to tell.
In 2013, I founded Wachusett Recording Company as a small freelance operation with a handful of instruments, a mixer, and a vision. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with artists across an incredibly wide range of styles, including Americana, bluegrass, singer-songwriter, jazz, folk, pop-punk, hip-hop, metal, and more. I’ve recorded full bands, solo artists, podcasts, audiobooks, meditation projects, and nonprofit productions. Those experiences taught me that every project is different, but the goal is always the same: create an environment where artists can do their best work and capture performances that feel authentic, honest, and lasting.
As both a musician and producer, I approach recording from the perspective of someone who understands the importance of serving the song. Whether I’m helping shape an arrangement, playing drums or bass, recording an ensemble, or crafting a final mix, my focus is on bringing out the character and emotion that makes each artist unique. I believe great production isn’t about doing more – it’s about knowing what the music needs and helping it connect with listeners. If you’re looking for a collaborative partner to help bring your next single, EP, or album to life, I’d love to hear your story.
In high school, I enrolled in music theory electives, orchestra, and chorus at good ol’ Barnstable High School. I had my first experiences jamming with friends, played my first gigs, and spent my time absorbing as much about music as possible. I made self-recorded demos on a Fostex MR-8 recorder and eventually I set foot in my first real recording studio in 2006. By that point, I knew that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I got in to Berklee College of Music in 2007 as a drum set principal, and double majored in Music Production & Engineering and Music Business. My band at the time, Green Line Inbound, wrote original music and played college parties and popular venues around Boston and down the east coast. My time at Berklee could be summarized as time spent learning • how to be a better listener, • how to see the big picture as a producer, • how to listen with critical detail, and eventually, • how to have the confidence to choose the life path of professional musician.
Album Credits
My first gig: a school assembly on the last day of school, 1999.
Rocking out with my grandparents in my childhood home. Photo by Robert Morrill
My senior class photo, 2007. The jury is out whether this is the lamest, or the coolest picture I’ve ever taken. Photo by Robert Morrill
Jamming with my friends at my high school graduation party.
Looping drums, bass, and guitar at a high school talent show, 2007
Playing Bass with my brother Andrew (right) for the Barnstable High School Orchestra.
Crowdsurfing while singing Sweet Caroline at The Lansdowne Pub in Boston, 2012
Performing with Green Line Inbound at Seacrets in Maryland, 2013
An accidental renaissance photo taken while on tour with Four Year Strong in Germany, 2017
Performing with Four Year Strong in Manchester, England in 2017. My first time playing to a room of 1,000 people
Playing at Koko in London with Four Year Strong in 2017. Sold out show. Photo by unknown.
Performing with Four Year Strong at Unify Festival in Victoria, Australia, 2018. The largest crowd I’ve performed for to date (7,000 festival attendance).
Showing some skin on tour in Japan with Four Year Strong, 2018
Performing in Tokyo, Japan with Four Year Strong in 2018.
Playing drums for Four Year Strong in Osaka, Japan 2018
Performing with dB at The Met in Rhode Island, 2019. Photo by K.C. Bower
Recording Grain Thief’s 2020 album ‘Gasoline’ at Wachusett Recording. Photo by Harry McCarthy Giles.
Jamming with friends in my driveway in Boston during Covid. Strange times. Photo by Harry McCarthy Giles
Engineering a record at Wachusett Recording, 2021.
Performing with Grain Thief at the Spire Center in Plymouth MA, 2023.
Photoshoot for the 2023 album ‘Dandelion Breeze’ by The Clements Brothers. Photo by Toan Trinh.
Performing in Worcester MA with Grain Thief in 2023. Photo by Steve Benoit.
Playing with The Talking Hearts at The Burren Backroom series, 2024.
Warming up on set of a live recording for Grain Thief at Avaloch Farm Music Institute, 2024. Photo by Tyler Ayers.
Playing Irish music in Bangkok, Thailand with The Irish Session Bangkok, 2024.
Singing some Bill Withers with a band in Siem Reap, Cambodia, 2024.
Jamming with some locals in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2024.
Performing at the North Gate Jazz Co-op in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2024.
Sitting in with some local musicians in Agadir, Morocco in 2025. Playing “Chop Suey” by System of a Down.
Playing at The Burren front room in Somerville MA with Grain Thief, 2026. We have held the Wednesday night music residency since 2017.
