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Harmonica player Harper expands his horizons didgeridoo

by Indy.com Staff

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Rathskeller

Harper has added a didgeridoo to his repertiore. The instrument is made from a long hollowed branch and produces a low-pitched dronw. To play it, you've go to breath in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth at the same time." (Photo provided by Harper)

Most blues are the same worldwide, says award-winning Australian harmonica player Harper, "it's just that the stories are a bit different."

His own brand adds a didgeridoo -- a wind instrument that originated among Aboriginies -- to the smooth mix of vocals and harp. The result is a soulful stew that audiences gobble up in his performances, which include a June 26 show at the Rathskeller. Despite his intense year-round touring schedule and recent relocation to Michigan, Harper reveals well-rooted songwriting and exceptionally passionate musicianship in his band's latest recording, "Day By Day" (Blind Pig). He recently spoke to Indy.com about his newest instrument fascination, and how he ended up on stage with Journey.

Is the didgeridoo difficult to play?

The secret to playing it is to be very relaxed when you play. A lot of people try to blow into it like it's the last thing they're ever gonna do, and that's the wrong thing to do.

The hardest thing is the circular breathing. You've got to breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth at the same time. It's weird. It takes a lot of patience and hours.

I'm looking for other instruments to conquer now -- other ancient instruments, like the Chinese water harmonica.

How did you learn harmonica; who influenced you?

The harmonica was in my blood. I picked it up when I was 10 after learning trumpet and harmonium. Sugar Blue, bluesman Paul Butterfield and guitarist Snooky Pryor (were influences).

What was it like playing with Journey recently, and how did that happen?

I was doing a show in Des Moines, and they all turned up. I think they were on a break from a tour. I didn't know them at all. We were playing, and they loved our music and wanted me to play.

I thought they wanted us to open for them, but Ross Valory actually said, no, he wanted us to play with them on the stage. We did a show of 20,000 people at the Oxford. They're a great bunch of guys that still love what they do.

Being that this is the "beer issue" of Indy.com, we have to ask: Do you have a favorite beer that you drink on tour?

I like my high-end beer. I like Duvel, which is made by Trappist monks in Belgium. For American brew, I love Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. As for Australian beers, Cooper's is beautiful, and there's another one called Boags from Tasmania. But I have to keep myself fit and take it easy on the old beer-drinking.