Peter Harper & Midwest Kind (Blues/Soul/World Music)

Mar 24 21:00 pm - 23:30 pm

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RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance)

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. The powerful guitar sounds and the unique drone of the didgeridoo create raw yet eerie sonic textures, somehow 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".

"Harper is an original, playing the harmonica like an authentic Chicago bluesman, singing about unity and love like a member of peacenik jam band, belting crisp vocals like a straight-up classic rock performer, and then pioneering the didgeridoo into these popular forms of modern music, to make it all timeless. He intricately weaves these sounds together and makes it all very entertaining and fun in the process. Unique and quality music of this kind is truly a rare treat." ---- Karyn Albano, Modern Rock Review, USA

Born in the United Kingdom, Harper's 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. The deep woody qualities and its haunting drone seemed to enhance the emotional quality of my stories. The didgeridoo is a spiritual and healing instrument, and it seemed blues music accepted it with open arms. I also owe my life to a tribe of nomadic Australian Natives who saved my father and I from starvation when we were trapped at The Fitzroy Crossing (Western Australia), in between two fast flowing river torrents. They gave us enough food and water to last us until the flood had subsided. I feel my music is my way of giving back to these wonderful people".

MUSIC AWARDS:

Nominated for 2 x 2015 Detroit Music Awards- Best World Music Instrumentalist/ Songwriter (2015)

Detroit Music Award "Outstanding Vocalist" (2014)
Best Instrumentalist "Big City Blues Magazine" USA (2013)
Best Live CD "Blues 411", New York. USA (2012)
Inducted into the Blues Museum Hall of Fame, Canada South Blues Society, Windsor Canada. (2011)
The Bronte Blues Awards, United Kingdom "Best Instrumentalist" (2009)
Acoustic Artist of the Year TREV, Australia (2005)
Male Vocalist of the Year - "Australian Blues Awards" (2004)
Song of the Year "Australian Blues Awards", (2004)
Album of the Year, Nasty Harp, Sweet Harp Awards- "Guide to Best of the Blues Harmonicas and Beyond" USA . "Way Down Deep Inside" CD. (2003)
Raw Talent Awards Number 1 Song "Never Change the Way She Feels", Australia (2001)
Duke Award Yamaha Rock, Australia (2001)
Gold Record "Sailing Australia" America's Cup Theme (2000)