A year ago, teenager Cooper Harris was caught singing at work and, with no previous experience, was invited to join a band.

“I knew I could hold a tune. Before that, I’d just sing in the shower,” he said.

His musical career has since taken off with the 18-year-old having a three-hour repertoire ready to go at a moment’s notice, and two paid gigs this weekend.

He will be playing at Wharfside at Port Ōhope tomorrow night, and at The Craic on Sunday.

Harris is currently completing an electrician apprenticeship in Whakatāne, but he grew up in Kerikeri.

Starting guitar lessons at age 10, Harris and his older brother, Boston, who plays drums, made it to the Rock Quest regional finals a couple of years later.

After strictly being a guitarist, becoming frontman for the band Throw No Stone with Kauri Jackson and Bleyne and Jalen Herberley has been a new experience for Harris.

“It was a bit weird; I really threw myself in the deep end,” he said.

The band had their first – and only – show at Mata Brewery last year, before members decided to take a hiatus because of their individual busy schedules.

“It was one and done. I’d do it again though, for sure,” Harris said.

Meanwhile, he is starting to book his own gigs.

His first gig was with a singer he had never performed or practised with, and he didn’t know he was going on stage until 20 minutes before. Great reviews followed the performance.

Since then, he has performed several gigs solo at Mata Brewery, and despite still being new to the game, is becoming  more “blasé” ahead of each show.

“I’ve done it once, I know I can do the same thing again,” he said.

In his short time performing, he has become an integral part of the open mic community, running an Under 25s Open Mic last winter.

“I want to become a solo artist and write my own music, like folky, soul stuff. Feel good music,” he said.

Right now, he is working on a set list of acoustic covers, ranging from country to old classics to modern hits to New Zealand reggae, trialling tunes while regularly busking at Wharaurangi.

“Something for everybody is what I’m going for,” he said.

Catch Harris at Mata Wharfside Pop Up tomorrow night from 5pm, and on Sunday at The Craic from 4pm, weather dependent.

“I’ve done band gigs, public and private solo gigs, and I’m willing to do anything really,” he said.

Anyone wanting to contact Harris can do so via Instagram @coopsmusicnz, 027 593 6035 or emailing [email protected].