What's Up! Magazine

Harper Simon

Harper Simon, son of Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Paul Simon will be performing songs from his first solo record on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Wild Buffalo in what promises to be a memorable show. Simon’s life in showbiz started early with a performance at age four on Sesame Street, and appearances as a teen with his father. He has developed into an acclaimed songwriter, musician and producer, and also plays in the psychedelic rock band Menlo Park. We recently caught up with Harper to ask some questions about his life and what makes him tick.

Boris Budd: Tell us all about the new solo, self titled, debut album and the Nashville sessions that were part of it.

HARPER SIMON: I was in Nashville and basically said, “Someone find me Bob Johnston,” and before I knew it I was there tracking with Charlie McCoy, Lloyd Green, “Pig” Robbins, etc. Working with Bob Johnston and all those Nashville session guys from the 60’s was completely fascinating and totally satisfying. The musicianship was extraordinary; their attitude towards me was so supportive. It was very special. The Nashville sessions resulted in the basic music for the songs ‘Ha Ha,’ ‘All I Have Are Memories,’ ‘Tennessee’ and ‘The Shine.”

BB: What differences in the creative process were evident when comparing the recording of the solo record to your work with Menlo Park (Simon’s other band)?

HS: They were very different processes. With Menlo Park, there were other co-writers, and it was more of a democratic process. On my current album I was able to call all the shots. Plus, even though it is a “solo” album, there are way more musicians involved in this album. It contributed to a much fuller sound.

BB: Explain your participation in the Quantum Shift concert. What was accomplished by these efforts?

HS: A friend, Suphala, who actually played tabla on this album on “The Shine”, put together a concert for Pakistani earthquake relief. I was happy to participate, and in general am happy to do anything with her.

BB: Who are your influences?

HS: For this record: The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Elliot Smith, Graham Parsons, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds.

In Life: Jean-Michael Basquiat, David Foster Wallace, Lou Reed, P.G. Wodehouse, Alex Chilton, Federico Fellini.

BB: Are the songs from the solo album a culmination of work from the course of your life or is it recently inspired stuff that made you have to go in and record the record?

HS: You might say both because although I’ve been listening to country and rock my whole life and I was influenced by all the music I mentioned above, these songs were written in a 2-year period and influenced by everything I lived during that time period.

BB: What does the concept of a record album mean to you?

HS: It’s something you want to listen to from start to finish. It’s cohesive with an arc and a structure that works where all the songs are as good as the next and everything connects thematically. An album is meant to be listened to as an album, not just as individual tracks. I wrote this record intending for it to be heard that way.

BB: What is your greatest music memory?

HS: Listen to The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Do You Believe in Magic” in the back of my Mom’s Mercedes when I was 2. I also saw a Pavement concert at Roseland Ballroom in New York that was pretty great.

BB: How are you enjoying your first solo tour and what are some of the joys and pitfalls that have surprised you along the way?

HS: It’s been a very positive experience. I am blessed to have a great touring band who are a not only a great group of musicians, but also a great group of guys. I basically got to put together my dream team. These are all musicians I found by going to other people’s gigs and meeting them. They’ve played in bands for Cat Power, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Rufus Wainwright, Beastie Boys.

BB: What can we look forward to in the future from Harper Simon?

HS: Right now, I’m just at work promoting this record, but somewhere down the line, there might be a darker, dreamier, more psychedelic sound.

BB: We couldn’t help but notice your Dad in the stands of Yankee Stadium during this year’s World Series. Are you also a Yankee fan?

HS: Every boy from New York City loves the Yankees.