As the son of legendary singer-songwriter Roy Harper, Nick Harper has always had huge boots to fill, yet he’s done so with as much substance as style.
Here, in an exclusive interview for “The Times and Post,” Nick chats to “Pulse” author Steve Rudd.
Q. Hi Nick, how are things, and how has 2016 treated you so far?
A. 2016 has been great so far! I’ve been at home, writing!
Q. You’re once again setting the UK alight with a flurry of tour dates. What do you enjoy the most about being on tour?
A. The thing I’ve always enjoyed the most about being on tour is performing the songs, watching them change, and “feeling” what they originally said in a new or deeper way.
I love it when they have to be performed from start to finish, with no stopping, no editing, and minimal interference from the frontal lobes.
Q. I hear that you’re working towards releasing a new “live” album entitled “Hark!” Please tell us more.
A. “Hark!” is a collection of songs that I came across whilst cleaning out the studio.
They were recorded at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2003, for which I won an award.
As I have another run at the Fringe, I thought it would be interesting to hear what I was doing ten or so years ago, to compare and contrast.
Q. I take it you enjoy nothing more than recording with just your acoustic guitar for company?
A. I love recording, yes, and the acoustic guitar is where almost all of my songs start — just playing for pleasure in the garden or whatever.
When it comes to recording, the song often asks to be taken elsewhere in the sonic universe. And who am I to challenge that notion?
So yes, they can end up sounding nothing like they do initially. That’s the luxury and pleasure of recording; I don’t see it as a faithful record of a particular moment, but more a chance to explore “somewhere” I’ve never been before.
Q. Did you start playing guitar of your own accord, or was picking up a guitar expected of you given your father’s pedigree?
A. There was always a guitar lying around at home, but the rest is all my fault!
Q. So are you a naturally gifted guitarist, or have you had to work hard to achieve your level of proficiency?
A. I wouldn’t say that I’m “gifted.” I put in a lot of hours before I ever set foot on a stage.
However, setting foot on stage was way down the list when I first picked up a guitar. I still play for my own pleasure.
Q. How do you go about writing songs? Do you always have a riff on your mind?
A. They mostly evolve as tunes. The real work begins with a blank page – and usually a blank mind!
Q. Other than your dad, who has influenced your music?
A. Everything that goes in has an effect.
The list is endless. It’s a sort of Stills-Buckley-Reinhardt-Mitchell-Zappa-Zeppelin-Floyd-Townsend-Moon-Brahms-Wagner-Ligetti-John Williams-Killing Joke-Gang of Four-Dr. John-Nordenstam-Kimmo-Graney crossover!
Q. A major breakthrough for you came when you hooked up with Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze fame!
I actually saw you support Squeeze at Hull City Hall, and I was blown away by your “Smithereens”-orientated set. Is it fair to say that Glenn pointed you in a different musical direction with your “Smithereens” album?
A. Yes, Glenn took that album by the scruff of the neck, and I was ready for that.
I still love the way that album turned out, and I learned a hell of a lot about what was possible in the studio.
Q. Are you still in touch with Glenn, and do you harbour any plans to work together again?
A. Yes, we team up every now and then.
I think I was lucky to have his time back then.
He just doesn’t stop. He’s always moving forward.
Q. Your most recent album, “Nix,” came out a couple of years ago.
Did you make a conscious decision to record its nine songs over the course of nine days since it was your ninth studio record, or was that simply a happy accident?
A. No, it was all contrived! It’s good to have restrictions sometimes, because it makes you more creative and spontaneous.
I had some notion of Tolkien’s “The Nine” while I was walking around the house, announcing without knowing what it would turn out to be.
When “Nix” occurred, it was part of it. Nine muses. Nine songs. “The Nine” ride!
Q. When you’re not writing, recording and performing, what do you enjoy doing to relax?
A. Writing. And drinking. Sporting. Playing. Beekeeping. Watching. Twitching. Dreaming. Anything that ends with “ing.”
Q. For anybody reading this who is just starting out on guitar, what advice would you give them?
A. If it sounds good, do it again!
When that gets boring, ask yourself, “Where is the next place the melody in your head wants to go?”
Then go there, and carry on like that.
Q. Finally, how can people find out more about you and your music?
A. Read the Bible Code, and study Da Vinci very closely! Alternatively, visit www.harperspace.com
l Nick will be performing at “The Back Room” in Cottingham on Friday 20 May.
l Signed copies of Steve’s first book, “Pulse,” can be ordered for £10 by sending a cheque (made payable to Mr. S. Rudd) to 110 The Mount, Driffield, YO25 5JN. Visit www.steverudd.co.uk or e-mail steveruddwriting@gmail.com for more information