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Harper and Midwest Kind
An amalgamation of blues, soul and world music, multi award winning Australian singer/ songwriter Peter D. 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, borrowing from Western and World music, Harper has created a highly original take on the roots genre which many have labeled World Blues. Harper has received an amazing 14 x Music Awards in four different countries. 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 (USA) Rod Ames, adds that Harper has written and arranged some of the most soulful blues rock filled music I have ever heard. Harper is backed by his very talentedt Detroit based band Midwest Kind
Born in the United Kingdom, Harpers musical journey began early, performing in brass bands playing the trumpet and euphonium. At the age of ten, his family moved half way round the world to Perth, Western Australia, and his Grandfather 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. Prior to his introduction to American audiences, Harper released six CDs to great acclaim in his homeland of Australia. Harper received a Gold Record for Sailing Australia (Americas Cup Theme). Harper had the honor of backing Blues Legend Muddy Waters on harmonica for his West Australian tour.
In 1994 he moved to Melbourne, Victoria and released his first album, Tears of Ice(New Market). This was followed by Yesterday Is Over in 1996 with his band Blue Devil and Live At The Soup Kitchen (recorded in Detroit) in 1997 as a soloist. In 2000, he released Glass on The Stepping Stone and Live At St. Andrews 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 Magazines Guide to the Best of the Blues Harmonicas & Beyond USA. 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.(TREV). 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. Hes 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 regularly since. It was on one of these tours that he caught the attention of Blind Pig Records, 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. He was also invited to perform harmonica on stage several times with US super group- Journey.
Harpers first Blind Pig release and American debut, 2005s Down To The Rhythm, won accolades from the press for its unique sound and virtuoso performances, coupled with Harpers 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. Harpers 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 Harpers harp and lyrics have a depth of feeling and thought that is unusual in todays music ..Harpers 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 Harpers songs so much so, that he included Just What Youre Looking For as track 2 on his new CD Tough (Eagle Records). Harpers third Blind Pig release Stand Together (2010) reached number 10 on the Billboard Charts and number 1 on Sirius XM Bluesville Charts. Harpers CD Live at the Blues Museum (April 16, 2012- Blu Harp Records) was recorded at Canadas only Blues Museum, Place Concorde, Windsor, Ontario. Live at the Blues Museumreached number 1 on the Sirius/ XM National Radio Charts, USA/Canada. Harper won a 2014 Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Vocalist and was also nominated for FIVE Detroit Music Awards.
On March 31st, 2016, Harper released his new CD Show Your Love (Blu Harp Records) The new CD hit # 3 on the Billboard Blues Charts (July 27, 2016). Plus an amazing 6 Months in the Top Ten on Billboard, (September, 2016) only being beaten out by Eric Claption and Joe Bonamassa. Show Your Love also hit # 1 in The Netherlands, # 1 in Italy and #3 on the Australian Blues Charts (Top 5 for 5 months). Funded by his fans via a very successful GoFundMe campaign, Harpers latest CD features 11 original road-tested tracks recorded with his well-traveled Detroit-based touring band Midwest Kind..Harpers latest offering features his strong, resonant voice and a deep, almost mystical approach to music that some might say has evolved into its own genre. Harper calls it World Blues a rich musical stew of 50s rhythm and blues, a 60s message of love and unity, and 70s funky soul, stirred up with masterful harmonica and the deep, woody, percussive tones of the didgeridoo, served up in a feast of timeless mystery. 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 originality, honesty, passion and skill in modern roots music.
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LocationTrinity House Theatre (View)
38840 West Six Mile
Livonia, MI 48152
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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