Nick Harper

Nick Harper is a British folk and rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. Born in the United Kingdom in 1965, he is the son of folk and blues singer-songwriter Roy Harper. He builds a career as an acoustic guitarist and self-taught player, having started the guitar at the age of 10.

Early work and first recordings

During his early years he is around musicians including Keith Moon, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and David Gilmour. He makes his recording debut on his father’s Whatever Happened to Jugula? in 1985. He then begins touring and recording under his own name, establishing a reputation for his guitar work, voice and songs.

Albums and label work

His first solo releases include the 1994 EP Light at the End of the Kennel and the 1995 debut album Seed. A meeting with Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook in 1996 leads to Harper playing with and supporting Squeeze, and to a signing with Tilbrook’s Quixotic label. He records Smithereens in 1998 with Tilbrook as producer, followed by Harperspace in 2000. His 2006 album Treasure Island includes songs such as “Knuckledraggers”, “Sleeper Cell”, “By My Rocket Comes Fire” and “A Wiltshire Tale”, combining political commentary, social history and personal themes. His sixth studio album, Miracles For Beginners, appears in 2007. It is a ten-track set of love songs, parodies and political material, including “Field of the Cloth of Gold”, “Evo”, “Simple” and “Blue Sky Thinking”. In 2010 he tours in support of The Last Guitar, which includes “One Of The 38”, “Passing Chord”, “Freestyle”, “On” and “Silly Daddy”, the last of which features his daughter Lily on vocals. His releases also include a double live CD and two EPs, among them Instrumental.

Style and performance

Harper is known for combining folk, rock, classical and flamenco influences. His live sets mix original songs with material by Jeff Buckley, Blur, Led Zeppelin, The Prodigy and others, and also include comic and spoken-word references. He is noted for his distinctive voice, his technical guitar playing and a performance style that moves between personal songs, satire and improvisation.

Live work, collaborations and charity projects

He tours in the UK, the USA, Japan and Europe, plays festivals including Glastonbury, Moseley Folk Festival, JerseyLive, Beautiful Days and Celtic Connections, and appears at the Royal Albert Hall. He performs special guest dates with the Levellers and works live with Dizzee Rascal for a radio session. In 2008 he joins Mike Peters and other musicians on charity treks linked to the Love Hope Strength Foundation, including Snowdon Rocks, Everest Rocks and an Inca Trek Trail in Peru. These projects raise money for cancer support, screening and treatment, and lead to the documentary Everest Rocks. In 2009 he takes part in Kilimanjaro Rocks, another fundraising trek for cancer charities in East Africa.