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English by birth, but raised in the beautiful coastal city of Perth, Western  Australia. Harper is known for his huge  soulful vocals, unique harmonica performances and his innovative original compositions. More recently he has included the didgeridoo (Australian indigenous instrument) into his live performances. Harper began his career  at an early age performing in brass bands playing the trumpet and euphonium which eventually led him to the blues harp. He grew up listening to folk, soul and blues music and surfing Western Australia's incredible coast line. After a move to Melbourne, Victoria, Harper released his first album, "Tears of Ice" (Newmarket) in 1994, "Yesterday is Over" in 1996 with his band Blue Devil and "Live at The Soup  Kitchen" (Harp) in 1997 as a soloist. "Glass on The Stepping Stone" (On Core Records) was launched in Melbourne, Australia,in mid 2000. Harper's  third solo CD "Live At St Andrews" (On Core Records) was launched in Australia in April, 2002 and was released in the USA and Canada in June, 2002.Harper has released "Way Down Deep Inside" (Under the Radar Music Group/ On Core Records) in the USA/ Canada in June & in Australia in October, 2003. Harper has been taking his music to the world performing in Australia, the USA, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore and France. Harper was recently awarded "Best Male Vocalist of  the Year", and "Song of the Year" ("I Swear Im Innocent") by the 2004 Australian Blues Awards. Harper also received TREV award for "Best Acoustic Act of the Year". US Magazine "Guide to the Best of the Blues Harmonicas  & Beyond" voted his new CD "Album of the Year" and he also received two harmonica awards, "The Sweet Harmonica Award" and "The Nasty Harmonica Award" . Congratulations to Harper!!!!!!!!

"Way Down Deep Inside" is an  11 track emotional roller coaster ride of eclectic roots, blues and soulful grooves. Harper is an incredible storyteller; his lyrics confront us with their honesty and diversity. Harper tells us about the "stolen generation" and Aboriginal deaths in custody in his "Does Anybody Really Care".  His "Don't need to explain yourself", relates to a close friend 'coming out of the closet" and "As Strange As It Seems" is about the slightly insane. Dark and disturbing is Harper, but there are moments of light, such as the beautiful acoustic love song "Soul food" about finding one's soul mate and the cheeky "I really Don't Know" about a three way love triangle. "Way Down Deep Inside" is Harpers fourth release as a solo artist. His music pushes the listener to the edge taking us on an exhausting journey of highs and lows. On Harper's recent Australian television special on the ABC's "Live at The Basement", commentator, Doug Mulray, described him "as a genius named "Harper", a brilliant harmonica player, with a soulful voice and a prodigious song writing  talent".

Harper is known for his superb velvety vocals, virtuoso harmonica performances and his unique original compositions. Harper's describes his style of writing as "roots rock" because it mixes Motown  grooves with English blues. English folk music is another influence in terms of chord and harmony construction.  Harper uses his voice and harmonica as a vehicle to enhance the emotional impact of his finely  crafted songs. Harper experiments with the tonal qualities of the harmonica through careful manipulation of his amplifier to create incredible sounds and harmonic effects as seen in the wailing harp in "As Strange As It Seems". His virtuoso scaled passages, wild squeals and amazing feedback effects makes one ask, how does he do it??? Harper also understands the subtlety of the acoustic harmonica and uses its beautiful tone to increase  the emotional impact of his music. Harper's "Mystery" about life on the street, demonstrates a poignant vocal melody and a sad acoustic harmonica solo, which paints a picture of loneliness and isolation.   Harper's new CD "Way Down Deep Inside" is a truly innovative approach to the roots music genre by his unusual combination of the blues harp with the Australian indigenous instrument of the didgeridoo. The deep woody tones of the didgeridoo are highlighted in Harper's title track "Way Down Deep Inside" which is an ode to the indigenous people of the world.  Harper has embraced the Australian Aboriginal culture. This journey began with a very significant meeting with a Hopi Indian "Dan Running Bear" in Colorado which lead to Harper's personal discovery of the indigenous people of his Australian home.  Books such as "I Buried My Heart  at Wounded Knee", "Raparapa" and "Blood on The Wattle", have inspired Harper to write "Way Down Deep Inside". Harper recently began playing the didgeridoo and will be including this beautiful spiritual instrument at all his live performances.

Described by American music critics as "a cross between John Popper and Dave Mathews", Harper has recently toured the USA from June to October, 2004. A live album was recorded at the prestigious Telluride Blues & Brews Festival and is available for instant down loads: . Harper has recently signed with Blind Pig Records, USA and will be releasing a new CD world wide in mid May, 2005.   Harper is currently touring Australia and is due to tour the USA and Canada from late May, 2005..

 

 

 

 [INDEX] [Information] [Recordings] [Press] [Tours] [Newsletter] [Gallery] [My Links]

[Harper] [Information] [Recordings] [Press] [Tours] [Newsletter] [Gallery] [My Links]