
Harrison Townsend is a professional guitarist available for live performance, touring, session work and recording. With over 10 years of experience across rock, pop, country and blues, he brings versatility, professionalism and creativity to every project. Based in South London, available UK-wide.
I’m Harrison Townsend, a professional guitarist based in South London, specialising in electric and acoustic guitar recording, live performance and touring work.
With over 10 years of playing experience and a background in Popular Music Performance at BIMM University London, I’ve developed a versatile playing style across rock, pop, country, blues and indie. My experience includes touring and live performance with emerging artists, musical direction, theatre productions and studio recording, including sessions at Tileyard Studios.
I offer professional guitar parts for studio recordings, demos, original songs and live projects. Whether you need carefully crafted rhythm parts, expressive lead lines, memorable hooks, acoustic textures or a complete guitar arrangement, I aim to find the right sound to serve your music.
My approach combines musicality, versatility and attention to detail. I understand the importance of playing for the song, taking direction and delivering parts that complement the artist’s vision. I’m comfortable working from references, charts, demos or creative direction.
If you’re looking for a guitarist who is passionate about music, easy to work with and committed to delivering professional results, I’d love to hear about your project.
Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Interview with Harrison Townsend
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: One project I’m particularly proud of is my work with Amity Miller, where I’ve taken on the role of guitarist and musical director. The project has given me the opportunity to contribute both musically and creatively, from live performances and touring to helping shape the band’s overall musical delivery. I’ve also had the opportunity to work in a professional studio environment, recording guitar parts at Tileyard Studios. I’m particularly proud of this project because it’s allowed me to develop beyond simply playing guitar, taking on greater responsibility, working closely with an artist and contributing to bringing their music to life. It’s been an important step in my development as a professional musician.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I’m currently balancing live performance, touring and studio work while continuing to develop my career as a professional session guitarist. I’m working with emerging artists on live projects, recording guitar parts in the studio and expanding my portfolio of session work. I’m also developing my own professional profile, connecting with new artists, songwriters and producers, and looking forward to taking on more recording and touring opportunities.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I believe there are some fantastic musicians and production professionals on SoundBetter, each bringing their own strengths and specialisms. I’d always encourage clients to find someone whose experience, style and approach align with their project. Building the right creative team is an important part of making great music.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I’m a big believer in both, but I lean towards digital for its versatility, flexibility and convenience. My Neural DSP Quad Cortex allows me to access a huge range of amplifier tones and effects while maintaining excellent sound quality. That said, I love the character and feel of analogue equipment. Ultimately, it’s not about the technology; it’s about finding the right sound and serving the song.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise is to treat every project with care, professionalism and genuine passion. I’ll listen to your vision, communicate clearly and deliver guitar parts that complement your music rather than simply fill space. You can expect attention to detail, reliability, creativity and a commitment to making sure you’re happy with the result. Your music deserves my best, every time.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: What I enjoy most is the opportunity to be creative and collaborate with different artists, helping bring their musical ideas to life. Every project is different, and I love finding the right guitar parts, tones and textures that make a song stand out. There’s nothing quite like hearing how a part you’ve created becomes part of a finished track. Music is all about connection, creativity and collaboration, and that’s what keeps me passionate about what I do.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can you work across different genres? Yes! I work across rock, pop, country, blues and indie, adapting my playing and tone to suit each project. Can you recreate a specific guitar sound? Absolutely. Send me reference tracks or examples, and I’ll work towards achieving the sound you’re looking for using my recording setup. How long does recording take? Standard turnaround is typically 3–5 working days, depending on the complexity of the project. Can you create original guitar parts? Definitely. I can write original riffs, hooks, lead lines, rhythm parts and arrangements to complement your song. What will I receive? You’ll receive professionally recorded, high-quality audio files in the agreed format, with dry and processed options where requested. Can I request changes? Of course. Two rounds of revisions are included, so we can make sure the final parts fit your vision.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: One of the biggest misconceptions is that session guitar work is simply about playing the right notes. In reality, it’s about understanding the song, finding the right tone, having good musical judgement and knowing when to play and when to leave space. A great guitar part isn’t always the most complicated one; it’s the one that makes the song better.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Before starting a project, I like to understand the artist’s vision and what they’re looking to achieve. I usually ask: * What’s the overall style and direction of the track? * Do you have any reference tracks or guitar parts you like? * Are you looking for rhythm guitar, lead, riffs, hooks or acoustic parts? * Do you have a preferred guitar tone or sound in mind? * What tempo and key is the song in? * Do you have a deadline for delivery? * What file formats or recording requirements do you need? These questions help me understand the project, deliver the right parts and make sure we’re on the same page before recording begins.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: My advice would be to find a guitarist who understands your musical vision, listens carefully to your references and knows how to serve the song. Don’t just look for technical ability; look for feel, creativity, versatility and someone who communicates well. Be clear about what you’re looking for, share references and allow room for creative input. The best results come from good communication and collaboration. Ultimately, you want someone who cares about your music as much as you do.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: 1. Gibson Les Paul Tribute – My go-to for powerful tones, sustain and versatility. 2. Fender American Professional II HSS – For everything from sparkling cleans to expressive lead tones. 3. Neural DSP Quad Cortex – An entire collection of amps, effects and tones in one unit. 4. Fender Redondo Acoustic – For songwriting, acoustic textures and stripped-back performances. 5. A reliable pair of studio headphones – Essential for listening, creating and getting lost in music. I’d struggle to make music without a guitar, so I’d make sure I had options!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I’ve been playing guitar for over 10 years, developing my skills through years of practice, live performance, recording and studying music. My journey has taken me from learning and performing with bands to studying Popular Music Performance at BIMM University London, where I’ve further developed my musicianship, musical knowledge and professional experience. Alongside my studies, I’ve built experience as a live and touring guitarist, session musician and musical director, working with emerging artists, performing at festivals and venues, and contributing to studio recording projects. I’m now focused on building my career as a professional session and touring guitarist, working with artists, producers and songwriters across a range of musical styles. I’m passionate about continuing to develop, collaborating with new people and bringing something meaningful to every project.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I’d describe my style as versatile, melodic and song-focused, blending elements of modern country, rock, pop and indie. I enjoy combining expressive lead playing, strong rhythmic foundations, memorable hooks and carefully crafted guitar tones. My approach is influenced by a range of artists and styles, allowing me to adapt to different productions while bringing character, feel and personality to every performance.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I’d love the opportunity to work with artists such as Morgan Wallen, Keith Urban or The 1975. I admire their distinctive sounds, strong songwriting and the way guitar plays an important role in shaping their music. I’d particularly enjoy contributing creative guitar parts, textures and arrangements to a production, bringing my own musical identity while helping deliver the artist’s vision.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: One of my biggest production tips is to always play for the song, not for yourself. A great guitar part doesn't need to be complicated to be effective. Focus on tone, timing, dynamics and leaving space for other instruments. Sometimes a simple riff or carefully placed melodic line can make a track far more memorable than an overly busy performance.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I primarily work across rock, pop, country, blues and indie, with a particular passion for modern country, alternative rock and pop-rock. I’m comfortable adapting to different styles, from clean melodic textures and ambient parts to driven rhythm guitars, expressive solos and catchy hooks. I enjoy working with both established sounds and more contemporary productions, always focusing on what best serves the song.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is my ability to adapt my playing to suit a song while bringing creativity and personality to the guitar parts. I’m particularly strong in electric guitar, creating expressive lead lines, memorable hooks and tight rhythm parts. I have a good ear for tone, feel and arrangement, allowing me to deliver parts that complement the track rather than overcrowd it.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring musicality, creativity and a strong understanding of what makes a guitar part work within a song. My focus is always on serving the track, whether that means adding a memorable hook, driving rhythm parts, expressive lead lines or subtle textures that bring a production to life. I combine versatility across rock, pop, country, blues and indie with attention to tone, feel and detail. Most importantly, I want every part I record to add something meaningful to the song and help bring the artist’s vision to life.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: My process starts with understanding your project, listening carefully to the track and discussing your creative vision, references and requirements. Once I have the necessary files, I’ll work on developing guitar parts that complement the song, whether that’s rhythm playing, lead lines, riffs, hooks or acoustic textures. I’ll record using my professional home setup, paying close attention to tone, timing, feel and musicality. I’ll then send you the recordings for review, with up to two rounds of revisions included to make sure the parts fit your vision. Once approved, I’ll deliver the final high-quality audio files in the agreed format, ready to be added to your production. Communication is important throughout, and I aim to make the process straightforward, collaborative and professional from start to finish.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a professional home recording setup built around the Neural DSP Quad Cortex, allowing me to capture a wide range of high-quality electric guitar tones, from clean and ambient textures to driven rock and modern country sounds. My guitar collection includes a Gibson Les Paul Tribute, Fender American Professional II HSS, Epiphone Les Paul Standard Pro and Vox Bobcat semi-hollow. For acoustic recordings, I use a Fender Redondo. My setup allows me to deliver versatile guitar parts tailored to each project’s requirements, with flexibility across different genres and styles. I can provide professionally recorded guitar tracks, including dry and processed DI options where required, ready to be integrated into your production.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I’m particularly inspired by guitarists and artists who combine strong musicianship with a distinctive musical identity. Players such as John Mayer, Keith Urban, Slash, Cory Wong and Adam Hann have influenced my approach to tone, phrasing, versatility and performance. I’m also inspired by artists such as Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson and Bruce Springsteen, particularly their ability to blend memorable guitar parts with strong songwriting and authentic performances. I aim to bring that same musicality, creativity and attention to detail into every project I work on.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I regularly provide electric and acoustic guitar recordings for artists, songwriters and producers, creating professional rhythm parts, lead lines, riffs and melodic hooks. I work across rock, pop, country, blues and indie, adapting my playing and tone to suit each track. My focus is delivering musical, polished guitar parts that complement the song and bring the artist’s vision to life.
- Acoustic GuitarAverage price - $70 per song
- Electric GuitarAverage price - $70 per song
- Songwriter - MusicAverage price - $100 per song
- YouTube Cover RecordingAverage price - $100 per song
Includes 2 revision rounds. Standard delivery within 3–5 working days. Additional revisions, extra guitar parts and rush orders may incur extra fees, agreed in advance.
- The 1975
- Luke Combs
- Amity
- Quad Cortex
- Fender American pro II Strat HSS
- Fender Redondo Acoustic
- Gibson Les Paul Tribute
