Harper Offers Harmonica Thunder from Down Under

June 25, 2003

Since his arrival to the States seven years ago as part of tour sponsored by the Australian government to promote Down Under‘s music and culture, Peter Harper has captured the hearts and souls of American music audiences. Harper has returned each year since, touring North America from June through September; each year he adds bigger venues and headlining status at major festivals to his itinerary.
This summer is no exception as Harper returns to Northern Michigan to play Union Street Station in Traverse City July 10, and the main stage at Blissfest July 12. He is one of the headliners at the Muskegon Summerfest June 29; he headlines the new Blues By the Bay Festival August 23 in Tawas before returning to TC to headline the new Boardman River Jam Music Festival August 24.
Harper returns in support of his new CD, “Way Down Deep Inside,” a project that documentary filmmaker Michael Moore might have done if he could sing. The CD explores the plight of the indigenous people of Australia.

NOT A SAFE PROJECT
“I really enjoyed the songwriting on this CD. I think it is important for music to say something, a lot of it is pretty shallow today. We need to comment more about what is not right out there,” said Harper. “This was not a safe project; it can be a very risky thing when you sing about something that is not popular to talk about, something that has been swept under the carpet and a topic many would like to forget about.”
The topic: the Australian Aborigines, a group of people that Harper says was treated far worse than the Native Americans.
“I spent years researching their plight,“ he says. “It wasn’t taught in our schools. At least in America kids are being taught about slavery of the African Americans and how the Native Americans there were treated. Not here; you see the Aborigines are a peaceful people, they are not warlike, so they were captured, sold into slavery, imprisoned and massacred.”
The response to his CD has been positive and has helped to open the eyes of many Australians. Even the Aborigines have supported the project.
“At one of the big festivals in Australia one of the tribal elders came out in full Aborigine garb and full face paint and performed a ceremonial dance during one of my songs,” said Harper. “It mesmerized the several thousands in attendance, even my bass player was taken in and forgot to play. It was a real honor to have the elder show his support.”

DIDGERIDOO TOO
Harper has a didgeridoo player on the new CD and will have him during the first leg of the tour. Steve Davies has received the blessing to play the didgeridoo by the Aborigines.
“This is a very sacred instrument to them and we want to honor that, so they have given Steve the okay to play it on the CD and in concert with me,” said Harper. “It really adds to the CD and the live show, in honor and respect, though Steve doesn’t play ceremonial or religious songs. He does play the didgeridoo on your back -- and wow, you don’t need a chiropractor after that -- the didgeridoo is a healing instrument.”
Harper feels his CD only touches on the plight of the Aborigines and he would like to see more of their story told.
“I refer to them as the stolen generation,” said Harper. “I hear that fine chap Michael Moore lives in Northern Michigan and I think this is a project for him.”
Returning to Northern Michigan is like visiting a second home for Harper.
“Michigan is my second home -- we start every tour there. It was a 30-hour flight this time. I left Australia on Tuesday and arrived in Detroit on Tuesday. It was the longest Tuesday of my life. But it was worth it. Michigan is great and Detroit is right back at the top of the music scene, so I am proud to be sort of a Michigander. Heck I even have a Michigan drivers license, which I am very proud of. Plus Michigan and Midwest audiences accepted me right away. They helped to pave the way for my annual return.

ONE MILLION HARLEYS
The annual return has led to headlining spot at the Milwaukee Summerfest where Harper will perform on one of the main stages during the coveted 8 p.m. slot on Saturday June 28. Festival organizers have said Harper is “one of our most requested acts.” This year when he hits the stage, Tom Petty will be on a neighboring stage. Festival organizers are not worried and said, “Harper will hold his own out there -- he will have as many people as Petty, as Harper is pretty popular here in Milwaukee.”
So popular that Harley Davidson is bringing Harper back to Milwaukee on August 30 to headline with the Doobie Brothers, 38 Special, Billy Idol, John Kaye & Steppenwolf and The Fabulous Thunderbirds for Harley’s 100 anniversary celebration that is expected to draw one million Harley riders.
Even Blissfest has broken their tradition of not having an artist return back-to-back years. The festival is having Harper back this summer for a main stage performance.
“It is great how my career is progressing in the states and I am pleased that my new CD has been picked up for distribution by Under the Radar Music Group/On Core Records,” said Harper. “Now my music will be at Best Buy, Borders all those places that fine records are sold at.”
“Way Down Deep Inside,” is Harper’s fourth solo work and is already being billed as an intelligent follow-up to his successful 2001 CD “Glass on the Stepping Stone.” The harmonica virtuoso (called the Jimi Hendrix of the harmonica) has gained popularity for his huge soulful vocals and innovative original compositions. His live show is a must see as the energy of his band is second to none.
“I am fortunate to have Lee Lewis as my U.S. musical director, not only is Lee a phenomenal bass player he puts together a great collection of musicians,” said Harper. “This is important as it is hard to get work visas for my Australian band members.”
Joining Lewis and Harper on stage will Ken Garr on drums and Steve Knox on guitar. Steve Davies will be on didgeridoo for the first leg of the tour (Union Street & Blissfest in July).

Catch Harper July 10 at Union Street Station, 10:30 start time, July 13 at Blissfest main stage as he helps to close the festival with a 5 pm performance. He will return August 23 at the By the Bay Blues Festival in Tawas and then he will headline the River Jam on the Boardman River in front of 310 at 5pm on August 24. He will close out his Northern Michigan visit after River Jam with a 10 p.m. show at Union Street.