About: Peter D Harper
An amalgamation of blues, rock, funk, soul
and world music, Australian singer/ songwriter "Harper" creates a
heady mix of roots music through his creative use of the harmonica, and the
haunting drone of the didgeridoo. By combining traditional and modern
influences, borowing from Western and Aboriginal music, Harper has created a
highly original take on the roots genre which many have labeled "World
Blues". His innovative use of electronic enhancement and feedback, breaks
the traditional boundaries of the harmonica, giving his music its distinctive
harmonics and effects. The powerful guitar sounds and the unique drone of the
didgeridoo create raw yet eerie sonic textures, some how sounding primal and
contemporary at the same time. No Depression Magazine,'s Rod Ames, adds that
Harper " has written and arranged some of the most soulful blues rock
filled music I've heard in quite sometime".
Harper's new CD “Live at the Blues Museum”
(Release date, April 16, 2012- PdHarp Records) was recorded on a cold wintery
night on Saturday December 17, 2011 at Canada’s only Blues Museum, Place,
Concorde, Windsor, Canada. This was a very special evening for Harper as he was
inducted into the Blues Museum Hall of Fame before a packed house of rabid
music fans. This is also Harper’s first live CD in 10 years and it has proven
to be worth the wait. This new CD features 15 original tracks, over 75 minutes
of playing from his three Blind Pig Releases “Stand Together” (2010), “Day By
Day” (2007), “Down To The Rhythm” (2005) and his two independent releases: “Way
Down Deep Inside” (2003) and “Glass On The Stepping Stone” (2000). “Live at the
Blues Museum” gives the listener a portal to the magic that happens at a Harper
concert. Rambles Magazine describes Harper as “a master Chicago-style harmonica
player“. His extraordinary harmonica skills demonstrate electric ferocity to
gentle acoustic finesse. Harper’s powerful soulful voice rips through this
15-song set with passion and integrity. His use of the deeply spiritual
didgeridoo is definitely not a gimmick, but an extension of his song writing
and arrangement skills. Harper’s unique sound is reflected in his use of
rhythms and a tribal spirit he experienced growing up in Perth, Western
Australia. The listener also catches a glimpse of Harper’s sense of humor and
his depth of character. Harper loves to perform and we feel his joy! Harper’s
non-stop touring schedule is self evident in the tightness and ease of
performance. He is backed by his incredible Michigan based band “Midwest Kind”
which features: Matt Besey on Guitar, Chris Wiley Smith on Bass Guitar/ Djembe
and Scott Key on Drums. Their familiarity with the arrangements and with each
other's abilities allows them to elongate the groove giving Harper a great
backdrop for his unique songs. "Live at the Blues Museum" got to
number 1 on the XM/Sirius National Radio Charts, USA/Canada. The new CD
received "Best Live Recording" award by Blues411, USA. 2012. Windsor,
Canada's Television network- CFTV 34 plan to air "An Evening with Peter
Harper" in the winter of 2012/13
Harper's 2010 release "Stand
Together" (Blind Pig Records) reached number 10 on the Billboard Charts
and the US Roots Music Charts. "Stand Together" also reached number 2
on the XM/ Sirius Bluesville national Charts, USA. 2010. "Stand
Together" was also nominated for "Most Outstanding Recording" by
The 2011 Detroit Music Awards. Harper and his band Midwest Kind were listed in
the "Top Concerts of 2011 for the City of Chicago" by Chicago Concert
Goers Ezine. Art Tipaldi, editor of Blues Revue recently described Harper as
"a singer with the deep soul of Motown, a harmonica player who can graft
Sonny Boy II and Little Walter with John Popper, a songwriter who tells his own
compelling stories in an unhurried, J.J. Cale-like manner, and a musical
visionary who is unafraid to mix the didgeridoo, an important part of the
Australian indigenous culture, with infectious modern percussive rhythms.”
Harper – Official Website
http://www.harper.biz/
Harper - MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/harperband
Harper - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HarperandMidwestKind
Harper - Twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/harperband
Harper – Blind Pig Records
http://www.blindpigrecords.com/index.cfm?section=artists&artistid=30
Videos!
Harper - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/harperband
Buy Music!
Harper – Official Store
http://www.harper.biz/merch..html
Harper – iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/harper/id468100
Harper – Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Stand-Together-Harper/dp/B003E1QCSG
Harper – eMusic
http://www.emusic.com/listen/#/browse/album/all/artist:11596865/?sort=az:
Harper – CD Baby
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/harperandmidwestkind
BIO: Harper
Born in the United Kingdom, Harper’s
musical journey began early, performing in brass bands playing the trumpet and
euphonium. At the age of ten, his family moved half way the world to Perth,
Western Australia, and his father introduced Harper to the harp. In Perth, one
of the most isolated cities in the world, there was a thriving blues and folk
scene. The blues had a rawness, an honesty and a passion of the soul which
spoke to Harper deeply. Then, like every blues lover, Harper began his journey
backwards to discover the deeper roots of the music.
"I think Muddy Waters really hit me
hard. There was something incredibly special about his sound, his powerful
voice and his songs. I would sing his songs constantly. I also really dug Sonny
Boy Williamson II as well. I loved his rhythmic use of his harp. I was also
inspired by a pretty wide range of players and styles like Little Walter, Sugar
Blue and Stevie Wonder who guide me in my harmonica playing. "But Harper
did not stop his search with the blues. It was a chance meeting with a Hopi
"Dan Running Bear" in Silverton, Colorado, that led him down the path
to rediscovering the music of his homeland. Fascinated with the spirituality
and culture of the American Natives, he found the same qualities present in the
Australian Aborigines 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. The deep woody qualities and its haunting drone
seemed to enhance the emotional quality of my stories. The didgeridoo is a
spiritual and healing instrument, and it seemed blues music accepted it with
open arms. I also owe my life to a tribe of nomadic Aborigines who saved my
father and I from starvation when we were trapped at The Fitzroy Crossing,
between two fast flowing river torrents. They gave us enough food and water to
last us until the flood had subsided”.
Prior to his introduction to American
audiences, Harper released six albums to great acclaim in his homeland of
Australia. Harper received a Gold Record for "Sailing Australia"
(America's Cup Theme). In 1994 he moved to Melbourne, Victoria and released his
first album, "Tears of Ice". This was followed by "Yesterday Is
Over" in 1996 with his band Blue Devil and "Live At The Soup
Kitchen" in 1997 as a soloist. In 2000, he released "Glass on The
Stepping Stone" and "Live At St. Andrew’s" in 2002. In 2003 he
released "Way Down Deep Inside", for which he received two harmonica
awards and “Album of the Year” honor from US Magazine's Guide to the Best of
the Blues Harmonicas & Beyond. Over the years Harper has received multiple
Australian Blues Awards for “Male Vocalist of the Year,” “Song of the Year,”
and “Acoustic Artist of the Year.”Harper was also invited to perform at a Royal
Gala Performance for the Queen of England in Perth, Western Australia.
His prolific recording career and memorable
stage performances allowed Harper to take his music beyond Australia. He’s
played in the USA, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, the United
Kingdom, Italy, Belgium and France. He first started performing in the United
States in 1996, and has toured here regularly since. It was on one of these tours
that he caught the attention of Blind Pig, which made him their first
international signing. With a home at a U.S. label and growing appreciation for
his music from American audiences, Harper made the permanent move to the U.S.
His animated shows have been well received at blues festivals, world music
festivals, and by fans of jam band music.Harper has become a huge favorite on
the world wide festival scene with an average of 20 to 30 festivals and 200
club dates per year. . It was during one of these recent festival appearances
that Chip Eagle, Publisher for Blues Revue/ Blueswax enthusiastically offered
"Harper is the most exciting act on the live scene today". He was
also invited to perform harmonica on stage several times with US super group-
"Journey".
Harper’s first Blind Pig release and
American debut, 2005’s Down To The Rhythm, won accolades from the press for its
unique sound and virtuoso performances, coupled with Harper’s compositional
skill. “Harper is a crack harp player and he plays the instrument with both
speed and efficiency, but it would be a mistake to pigeonhole Harper as just an
impressive instrumentalist. He is also a solid songwriter, and a soulful singer
with a knack for impassioned sincerity,” said All Music Guide. BluesWax noted,
“There is much to enjoy here: clever songwriting, top-notch guitar, powerful
rhythms, and some great Harper harp!
”Harper’s second release from Blind Pig
Records, Day By Day (2007), provided fans wih another prime example of why his
unique roots music style occupies a category of its own. Ramble Magazine raved
that Harper's harp and lyrics have " depth of feeling and thought that is
unusual in today's music ..Harper's music is essential. It should be widely
heard". Downbeat Magazine added "Harper uses his trump cards- a
strong and direct singing voice, a stirring harmonica out of Sonny Boy
Williamson 11 and Little Walter , a droning didgeridoo - to give his melodic
tunes an excitement that suits his intelligent use of blues rock and soul
forms". Blues legend John Mayall loved Harper's songs so much so, that he
included " Just What Your'e Looking For" as track 2 on his new CD
"Tough" (Eagle Records)
Harper is at the top of his game on
"Stand Together" (2010) and his new Live CD "Live at The Blues
Museum" (2012). Both CDs showcase his trademark powerful soulful voice,
virtuoso harp playing, haunting didgeridoo, deeply, soulful grooves and
unparalleled songwriting and compelling lyrics. With his chops at their best
and his band "Midwest Kind" sharing his vision, Harper will continue
to turn heads of audiences who are looking for orginality, honesty, passion and
skill in modern roots music.
