Harper

An amalgamation of blues, rock, funk, soul and world music, Harper creates a heady mix of roots music through his creative use of the harmonica, harp, and didgeridoo. Borrowing from western and world music, this musical visionary develops a highly original take on the roots genre- unafraid to mix the didgeridoo, an important part of his Australian Indigenous culture, with infectious modern percussive rhythms. Even more, he takes the harmonica beyond its assigned place. But it would be inaccurate to commend Harper only on his instrumental talents, as he is also a thought-provoking songwriter. Much like Bob Dylan and Neil Young sang about pressing issues of the day, Harper’s songs touch on many controversial topics, such as the health care system and the war in Iraq.

Originally from the U.K., Harper moved to Perth, Australia when he was ten, where he soon discovered a thriving blues and folk scene. Growing up, Harper was influenced by Muddy Waters’ powerful voice, Sonny Boy Williamson II’s rhythmic use of his harp, and the styles of Little Walter, Sugar Blue and Stevie Wonder. “I think Muddy Waters really hit me hard. There was something incredibly special about his sound…I would sing his songs constantly,” says Harper. An encounter with a Hopi American Indian named “Dan Running Bear” in Silverton, Colorado led him down the path to rediscovering the Australian Aboriginal music of his homeland. On adding the native didgeridoo to his music, Harper says “It is a sound I grew up with, so it seemed natural to add it to my songwriting particularly when the lyrics related to the plight of the Aborigines in Australia. When I added the didgeridoo to the more traditional blues instruments, it worked.