When you think of big Australian blues artists, Lloyd Spiegel, Dutch Tilders, Geoff Achison and probably Phil Manning cross your mind, but there is an industry heavyweight that you are forgetting and that is the one and only Harper. Originally from WA, Harper has spent the past decade crafting his own original blues/roots sound and is kicking goals in the US with his music. As well as this, he is the first Australian blues artist to be signed to a major American blues label. Coming back to Australia in late October and early November, it will be a welcome return to the country with his American band, Midwest Kind.
It is early evening in the States when my call is patched through to his home in Detroit and he is relaxing after a massive tour as we begin to chat about how it is to be an Australian artist playing the blues in the US. “I’ve been in the US for seven years now and we do about 180 dates a year, including Europe as well. It’s been a pretty busy time and so it’s great to be back home relaxing before I head out on the road once again.”
Growing up in Perth, Harper cut his teeth in the music scene from playing in brass bands and from there began to pick up the harmonica. Reminiscing fondly about the time, the harmonica was really the only instrument that Harper really took to. “I was pretty terrible at guitar and so I started playing harmonica in these bands and all the guys were older than me. It gave me great musical knowledge and education. The funny thing is that the bands that I was told to listen to I have pretty much met from living in Detroit.”
During his early musical life Harper had the opportunity to play with the legendary Muddy Waters. “I was quite young when that happened,” Harper relates. “When these big American artists come out to Australia, they pick up a backing band and usually everybody knows the songs. He was pretty bossy as a band leader yet he was a great musician and one of the best voices I have ever heard live.”
With a recording studio at his disposal, creating new music and songs for upcoming releases is quite easy. In addition to easy recording access, the wealth of talent that is around to record on any given track is also refreshing. “There are so many musicians around here which is great because it leads to a lot more experimentation within the songs. It’s a great music scene, but I can’t wait to come home for a few weeks.”
With dates in Sydney, Melbourne and the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival over the first weekend in November, although it is a quick trip back home it is going to be a lot of fun and the first time that his backing band Midwest Kind have come to Australia. “My main purpose for me coming over is that my mum is pretty sick and it’s a good opportunity to come back and play and catch up with some old friends. It’s enough to give the guys some experience in this country that I love so much.”
Having played alongside Johnny Winter, Jimmy Thackery and Geoff Achison, don’t miss this tour of Harper and Midwest Kind.
When&Where: Wangaratta Jazz Festival – Oct 31 to Nov 3
By Tex Miller