The Harper Conspiracy

SeattleNoise
December 26, 2008

SUSAN HARPER CONSPIRACY
WHAT: Acoustic-based folk-rock that adds blues and funk in equal parts and is led by Susan "Suzi" Harper (vocals, acoustic guitar) with Sean Lahay (keyboards),George Bullock (guitar), Don Chappell (bass) and Frank Heye (drums).
MONIKER: "Harper is my last name, but it doesn't really belong to me," Harper explains. "I was born in Spain and moved to the U.S. at age 4. In my 20s, my mother disclosed to me that the man I thought was my father was not. I was actually the product of an affair and my biological father was Spanish. Only my mother and two of her friends knew the truth until she told me. When I found out, I definitely had an 'Aha!' moment."
CAREER DEBUT: "As frontperson for the Shamaniacs in the summer of 1992. We played peace concerts and social justice rallies. My most notable show was the 'Nobody for President' reprise tour at the Off Ramp with Wavy Gravy."
INSPIRATION: "I believe the songs are there, and I just need to be open to them. Usually the best songs come from an intense experience or as a coping mechanism. I explore who I am in relation to everything else. It's cathartic for me to write. I feel very fortunate to share my music with others."
OBSTACLES: "I have a full-time job and keep my music going. It is a second career. Luckily, my day job lines up with one of my passions. I work for the City of Seattle as the Outreach Coordinator for Restore Our Waters, and promote environmental stewardship. But it is a challenge to juggle both. And, although I love people and doing public relations work, I sometimes get tired of being a shameless self-promoter. But that's what I do to be true to my passion."
RELEASES: "Unpredictable" (LP, 2008) and a song, "the Climb," on the Seattle Songwriters Collective -- Exposed" (2004.)
NERVES: "Before every show I am nervous. I often ask myself, 'Why do I do this?' I do it because I have to; I love it. Once I am on stage and warmed up, I am in my element."
WHERE TO LISTEN: susanharper.com and myspace.com/suziharper
NEXT SHOW: Saturday at the High Dive with special guests 6 p.m. Tickets: $5 at the door. Information: highdiveseattle.com
-- Shawn Telford
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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/393556_postcard26.html - Seattle PI

“Seattle acoustic artist, Susan Harper , plays a live show that is not to be missed! Earthy, soulful vocals and funky acoustic guitar work are enhanced with Susan’s catchy, insightful songcrafting.” - DJ Michele Myers

A lot of the time, the best music is an outgrowth of the artist's ability to synthesize elements from different musical genres. On her initial 5-track CD, Susan Harper has shown that she's good at this.
Harper is first and foremost a rock artist, but she has borrowed liberally from jazz and blues. The initial track, which her promo materials describe as "a psychedelic romp," reminded me of Grace Slick; on another track she sounded more like Phoebe Snow. A blues-influenced number evoked memories of Janis Joplin, though Harper certainly doesn't sound like her, as well as bringing the name of the white blues singer Sue Foley to mind. The closest overall comparison I can think of is to the excellent independent rocker Alice Peacock, though the latter's style may be slightly less eclectic.
Harper has indicated that she is working on a full length CD. This is good. She's off to an excellent start, and I look forward to hearing more. (mapravat@prairienet.org)
- Ectophile online Music Review