Talking To... Nick Harper
Welcome to the 5th of “Talking To” where Cambridge And
Beyond editor, Neil King gets to chat to some of the artists that have impressed
him through their work and releases. This occasional series continues with an
interview with Nick Harper
Nick Harper is a great keeper of the troubadour tradition. He's often to be found out on the road, singing about events and people that shaped his destiny. His music if often personal and political with a small p.
Nick has a great sense of family and society and it's not surprising to discover that a lot of his music is along there themes. Tat said he's also not scared to include a cover version or two in his act, if it's appropriate or to change a mood.
As is pointed out, no doubt more often then it should, Nick is also the son of 60s folk troubadour Roy Harper, who also has a good number of recordings to his name. It put the singer songwriter into Nick's blood.
As well as being a great writer, nick is also a great guitarist who can move from finger picked, almost Spanish style guitar, right up through and including full blown rock strum and more tan a little blues along the way.
Recently Nick made a return visit to Mr. Kyps in Poole, scene of one of his greatest ever gigs. Whilst he was there, I took the opportunity to talk to him about that gig and a few other things beside.
#NH = Nick Harper #NK=Neil King
#NK The last time you played here, you had the Liverpool European Championship win as your support act. Is that the best support act you've ever had?
#NH Yes. Easily. It's one of the best nights of my life. It's a team I've followed for just so many years. It was just great. It went on a bit as it went all the way to penalties. What an auspicious bill. The first half was dreadful. The second half an inspired performance. Then I came on after that.
#NK I think they were still showing highlights on the big screen when you walked onto the stage.
#NH I'm, told that as I walked out onto the stage Stevie Gerald was lifting the cup and there was ticker tape flying behind me. I wish I had pictures of that. It was absolutely brilliant.
#NK That was a great night, football and music. When did you really become aware of music?
#NH Probably before I was born. They had to stop the ambulance that was taking my mother to hospital to have me so that my dad could go back and get his guitar. He was playing as I arrived into the world.
#NK My son was born to the sound of the Pogues, but unfortunately he had to make do with a recording.
#NH It's not a bad start. I guess I really started understanding music at about the age of six. There's been many a twist and turn since. There's a picture of me playing a banjo with my teeth at an earlier age.