More Harperism on the Net
The mission: to find myriad homes of Harperism on the web so you don't have to... it's a tough job but I don't mind doing it. I'll try to update this page fairly often - there's some good stuff to find out there, once you set your mind to it!
Nick's official and not-so-official sites:
- http://www.harperspace.com
Nick's official website (the old address www.nickharper.com redirects here now as well) - open for business! This should now always have the most up-to-date tour dates. It's got some great older articles linked to it that even we haven't seen before. Make sure to read Nick's own (often hilarious ;) thoughts here - it's even been updated for the most recent tour!
- http://www.quixoticrecords.com
Home of Nick's record company Quixotic Records. The best place to order the albums if you can't get them at the shows.
- http://www.geckosoup.com/bloodsongs-wallpaper.html
http://www.bunch-of-arse.co.uk/pants-news-11.html
http://www.bunch-of-arse.co.uk/pants-news-62.html
http://www.bunch-of-arse.co.uk/pants-news-83.html
http://www.bunch-of-arse.co.uk/pants-news-84.html
http://www.geckosoup.com/links.html
Some great Nick-friendly links from Fal, who designed the artwork of Blood Songs, and who is the kind soul who loaned his PA for Nick's September 2003 Marlborough gig. We are totally loving the computer wallpaper featuring all the album art - great family theme continuing from the songs to the booklet! Anyone who says that Nick is "The Man Who Plays Guitar Like He's Wearing God's Underpants (tm)" is a friend of ours. ;) There are more spurious Pants news items about Nick too that are worth checking out - we have been laughing too hard about these to leave them out!
- http://www.jednet.co.uk/nick/index.html
The HOH isn't the only Nick site with video clips of the man in action. Looks like some test work that may have been done before Nick's Surround Sound shows in summer 2001 made it to the web too. In "secret". Though I've seen links to this site in various places! The clips themselves are pretty damn cool... and you can see the "Harperspace Wars" video that gave us all a good laugh at those Surround Sound shows here.
- http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/harperspace/
Home of the Harperspace list, which was born of the ashes of the HarpOnAboutHarper list (aka the HOAH, not to be confused with the HOH!) and devoted to all things (Nick) Harpic. Fairly quiet, but feel free to join in for the ride - and please post!
http://www.harperspace.co.uk
Not to be confused with the official site, the (un)official Harperspace message board is another great home of Harperism on the web, with news, rumours and double entendres aplenty! Visitors can read the posts but it only takes a simple registration to post - so what are you waiting for?- http://www.angelfire.com/on3/Tweetie/Harperspace.html
The other "other" Harperspace page... do you sense a theme here... feared lost to the ether, but now BACK! It's quite an interesting page devoted to Nick worship, with cool live photos, personal memorabilia, and perhaps the funniest biography quote ever: "...being an assistant manager at Oddbins where Nick took a fancy to drinking wine more than selling it he realised his calling or destiny which was to be a musician." :)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Harper
Nick's page on the open source internet encyclopedia Wikipedia, put up anonymously... by the HOH. ;) Please feel free to amend as needed, though we would ask you keep it all as true to life as possible haha.
- http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,441292,00.html?src=search&artist=Nick+Harper
Nick's page on ArtistDirect (formerly the Ultimate Band List).
- http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=MISS70306041911&sql=Bnq8m96oo3ep6
Nick's page on Allmusic - they refer to his music as "adult alternative pop/rock" which is "reflective, gentle, [and] literate". Okay, but have they ever seen him do Titties and Beer?
- http://www.rooben.com/
Roob's ever-developing Harper guitar tab transcriptions site - looks very promising for the aspiring Harp-ist! New tabs added in August 2003.
Nick Harper, the pop star years - material with a Squeeze-y bias:
- http://www.squeezefan.com
The official Squeeze website, no longer being updated but still a goldmine of Squeeze-related material. Many references to Nick's tenure with the band (c1996-8).
- http://www.squeezefan.com/Articles/20guit.htm
A 1996 interview with Difford and Tilbrook from 20th Century Guitar in which they speak highly of Nick's work with the band.
- http://www.hieroglyph.net/squeezeinterview.html
From Kristi Myers' Squeezeworld pages, a great 1998 interview with Glenn (by Kristi's brother Dave O'Connell) which again is very complimentary to Nick's work with Glenn and Squeeze.
- http://freespace.virgin.net/keepit.live/APRIL%202001/apr%20glenn%20tilbrook.htm
A 2001 interview with Glenn Tilbrook which reveals that he started his label Quixotic Records because he felt Nick needed someone to release his music. Glenn, we salute you!
- http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/thenight/arts.artsmain?action=viewArticle&sid=11&id=354616
A 2002 audio interview with Glenn Tilbrook in which he namechecks Nick repeatedly - again, thanks Glenn, how much do we owe you... ;) Thanks to Helen "Hells Bells" Burns for the link.
- http://www.kcrwmusic.com/cgi-bin/db/kcrw.pl?show_code=mb&air_date=8/6/96&tmplt_type=show
Saving the best for last, first up, this is a 35-minute streaming recording of a 1996 Squeeze acoustic session on Santa Monica, CA public radio station KCRW, for their renowned "Morning Becomes Eclectic" series. Oh, did I mention that Squeeze in this case is Difford, Tilbrook and a Mr. Nick Harper? Truly class, with plenty of recognisably Nick guitar riffs and a killer version of Radio Silence. Click on the "RA" button to bring it up in Realplayer. Though it can be tough going without broadband, it is ESSENTIAL listening for all Nick and Squeeze fans! Thanks to Adam Leonard of Stormcock for pointing this out to me, and thanks to Nick Lane for his help with streaming issues. I hope to mirror this on my site - once I can get some more webspace. :)
- http://www.geocities.com/moetwo.geo/listen.htm
Last but certainly not least in Squeeze-related gems, go to the "S" section on this page and click on the Squeeze link to enjoy a fantastic Los Angeles House of Blues gig, recorded on 6 August 1996 (the same day as the KCRW session above, fact fans). The House of Blues site no longer archives gigs, but this has been rescued and saved, and plays through Realplayer - see the warnings above. Squeeze that night were again Difford, Tilbrook and Harper, and we're sure you will love over an hour of 3 acoustic guitarists working together magically. Big thanks to Jared Colinger for finding this one - as he said, "dig those guitar harmonics!" Too true - some of it sent shivers down our spines.
"Hey, aren't you Nick Harper's dad?" Roy Harper official and not-so-official sites (and oh yeah they usually mention Nick too!):
Fan sites for both Nick and Roy:
- http://www.mistlethrush.co.uk/stormcock/
Updated home of the Stormcock email list, concerned with all things Harper. Essential reading (and posting) for the hardcore Harperfan and anyone with a good sense of humour!
- http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/royandnickharper/
A Yahoo group for members of the Stormcock list - some nice live pics here. You do have to join the group to see them, but it's fairly painless.
- http://homepage.mac.com/fuzzytnth3/fuzzyblogs/music/C1459706252/index.html
Welcome to All Things Harper - a blog by HOH reader Graeme Mair sharing his thoughts and findings on both Roy and Nick.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/harpertraders/
Home of the HarperTraders email list, which spreads the Nick and Roy joy as well as audience recordings of gigs and a photo database.
[An important point from the list owner (and from me): under no circumstances should you use this list to trade material which is commercially available - go out and buy it and support your favourite artists (Harpers most definitely included). This list is only for trading amateur concert recordings by people who attend the gigs. This should not stop you from buying multiple copies of Nick's upcoming live album for you and your friends. Ithankyew.]
Reviews (and previews!) of Nick gigs and records:
- http://www.quixoticrecords.com/revnick.html
Quixotic reprints tons of Nick's gig and record reviews going back to 1998, including those from the (Scottish) Times, Total Guitar, the Glasgow Herald, and many more - especially good for reviews of last year's Edinburgh Fringe dates.
- http://www.mistlethrush.co.uk/stormcock/smithere.htm
The Stormcock site's in-depth review of Smithereens. This also includes a transcript of a decidedly unfriendly review from the August 1997 (?) issue of Q Magazine - marginal, hmmmph! ;)
- http://www.netrhythms.co.uk/reviewsh.html#harper
Sue Cavendish's review of Harperspace for the Netrhythms website.
- http://www.squeezefan.com/Reviews/gtus97.htm
Various Squeeze fan reviews of Nick's slot opening for/playing with Glenn Tilbrook in the USA, summer 1997.
- http://www.warr.org/concerts.html#Tilbrook970916
A review of Glenn Tilbrook's 16 September 1997 gig in Washington DC, in which Nick's set gets a very favourable mention.
- http://www.hieroglyph.net/squeezenj.html
More from Kristi Myers - this is a sweet and funny (and yes, touching!) review of her trip to see Nick opening for Squeeze in Atlantic City, NJ in October 1999. A must-read! You can also see her photos from that day here.
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A204382
A review of Nick's 20 November 1999 gig with Roy at the Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh - in the middle of Roy's entry in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (no, honestly...)!
- http://www.bidean.demon.co.uk/nick.html
KB Player of the Full Moon site reviews the 16 June 2000 gig at the Pleasance Cabaret Bar, Edinburgh.
- http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/glastonbury/2000/review-fest20.shtml
http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/glastonbury/2000/review-fest1.shtml
Two reviews of Glastonbury 2000 on the Efestivals website which mention Nick's gig there.
- http://www.viac.co.uk/reviews/nickharper010126.htm
Spekki Chris reviews the 26 January 2001 gig at the London 12 Bar Club for the Virtually Acoustic website.
- http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/revolution/reviews/gigs/nickharper.html
The Revolution website reviews the 29 April 2001 gig at the Hartlepool Studio - thanks to Joe for pointing this one out, it's a really good one
- http://www.livewirelistings.co.uk/features/larmertree/sunday/
Linds' review of Sunday at the 2001 Larmer Tree Festival, where Nick is the featured artist. Best quote: "If this was a science lesson Nick Harper would be a liquid or a gas, for he bears no shape, no set style and no set pattern...". :)
- http://www.acoustica.tv/reviews/nickharper3jul01.htm
The "caring, sharing, and lovely" Maggie Hornby (Squeezefan regular) reviews the 3 July 2001 gig at the Rochdale Richmond Hall.
- http://www.toxic.pete.btinternet.co.uk/nickharper.html
Toxic Pete reviews the 29 October 2001 gig at the Worcester Marr's Barr, with numerous photos. Behold the creative shirt action. ;)
- http://216.200.119.145/ents/index.html?URN=7615
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=62692&command=displayContent&sourceNode=62244&contentPK=1435770
Previews of the 13 April 2002 gig at the Aberdeen Lemon Tree - part of the Rootin' Aboot Festival.
- http://www.halfmoon.co.uk/history/harperhistory.htm
An excellent review of the 3 May 2002 gig at the Half Moon Putney from the Half Moon's own website - I wuz there :)
- http://www.music-cafe.co.uk/magazine/issuefive/harperthing.htm
Darren Poyzer reviews the 13 May 2002 gig at Chester Telford's Warehouse - it's a Harper thing indeed, and Darren's captured it fantastically.
- http://www2.helsinginsanomat.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20021029IE18
The kind of review that makes me as a writer cry with frustration that I can't write that well, but that makes me as a Nick fan grin like an idiot. :) William Moore walked into Nick's 26 October 2002 Helsinki gig with no prior knowledge of his work and walked out a convert. Read this to find out why, then show this to anyone who asks why Nick is that good!
- http://www.deadalfs.co.uk/columns/DNM/114/
A very cool review blog of the 14 November 2002 gig at London Dingwalls - the enthusiasm is IMMENSE!
- http://www.bestguitarfest.com/02nick.htm
Various reviews of the 23 November 2002 gig at Pacific Road for the Birkenhead International Guitar Festival, and some great pics too.
- http://the-rocker.freeservers.com/sept2003/harper.html
Stuart's Zeitgeist review of the Aurora Nova/Fringe gig at St. Stephen's on 19 August 2003 - we were there, and he's done a really good job describing the gig!
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/musicscotland/celticroots/reviews/h/reviews_nick_harper.shtml
Stuart Ferguson's great review of the 18 October 2003 gig at Edinburgh Liquid Room, published on BBC Scotland's Celtic Roots site - he captured the spirit of this evening really well.
- http://www.virtual-festivals.com/artists/article.cfm?articleid=818#
Virtual Festivals' review of the Levellers' 5 December 2003 gig at London Shepherd's Bush Empire, where opening act Nick gets a favourable review.
- http://steve.anthropiccollective.org/archives/000289.html
Steve Lawson (an excellent musician in his own right) blogs a very flattering review of Nick's 8 December 2003 gig opening for Thea Gilmore at the Milton Keynes Stables. Thanks to eagle-eyed Catherine for pointing this out - she's always on the case!
- http://www.fuzzy50.freeserve.co.uk/reviews/20040207%20Levellers.htm
Live Music Review has posted an in-depth look at the Levellers' 7 February 2004 acoustic affair at Buxton Opera House (posh!), where Nick played a very important role.
Random discussion about Nick:
Friends of the HOH and other useful sources of information:
- http://www.juniperberries.co.uk
Juniper Promotions - the home of modern acoustic music promotion in Edinburgh. I have to admit a vested interest here, since Jan is a friend of mine and I helped put together the site, but that shouldn't stop you from checking out her shows. She's promoted Nick's shows here for years, and will hopefully continue bringing great gigs here for years to come - go for it, girlfriend!
- http://www.babylonandon.com/glenn
The unofficial but highly informative Glenn Tilbrook page, run by our mate Corina - she's fab and so's her site, one of our faves. And a major inspiration for this site!
- http://www.benjones.biz
A new site for the lovely and talented Ben Jones, who has often opened for Nick and is a great musician in his own right. Watch out for his new album, coming soon...
- http://www.carollaula.co.uk/
Website for ace Glasgow singer/songwriter/guitarist Carol Laula - not only is she lovely, talented and totally hilarious (read her tour diaries to cheer yourself up, works for us), but she namechecks Paula (who contributed live pics to the site) and the HOH, *and* describes Nick as "gorgeous and funny". We like Carol. :)
- http://www.poyzer.com
http://www.acoustica.tv
2 sites run by and for Manchester singer/songwriter/guitarist (do you sense a theme here?) Darren Poyzer - we think he's great, and Nick must too because they've played together on numerous occasions. The informative Acoustica site has been mentioned before in this links page for at least one great Nick review written by one of our own charter visitors Maggie Hornby!
- http://www.levellers.co.uk
The official site for the Levellers, a band we've known for years and gotten into even more thanks to their collaborations with and vocal support of Nick. We're really looking forward to hearing the studio version of Nick's cover of Hope Street, after loving it at their great acoustic gig in Buxton in February 2004 (hopefully out on video later this year!).
- http://www.castlekirkarran.co.uk/
Castlekirk, Lochranza, Isle of Arran - this 19th century former church is now not only a B&B with space for 6 guests and the most amazing views (seeing is believing - lots of great pics on the site), but also an art gallery and the coolest venue on any Scottish island. Well, we think so anyway, and so does Nick as he plays there at least once a year! We almost don't want to spoil this secret gem, but we love Vickie and Tam too much - check Castlekirk out if you're ever in Lochranza.
- http://www.marthatilston.co.uk/
The official site for the lovely Martha Tilston, who opened for all of Nick's autumn 2004 tour. Check out her albums and definitely see her live!
- http://www.nicklane.co.uk
Longtime Stormcock member Nick has been a big help to the HOH and has been kind enough to link us to his page, so we're more than happy to return the favour! Check it out, he's got some very interesting and diverse links and cool photos...
- http://www.12barclub.com/
http://www.halfmoon.co.uk/
Check out the sites for the 12 Bar Club and the Half Moon Putney, a couple of Nick's - and our - fave London venues!
And the truly weird:
- http://www.houseofharper.com/
All we're saying is: this is not our website. And we think we got here first. Accept no substitutes. ;)
- http://www.googlism.com/
If you haven't played on this site yet, you should. As it says on the front page, it "will find out what Google.com thinks of you, your friends or anything". Think of it as a random quote generator but with guaranteed comedy potential. We have had many people send us some of Nick's choicer Googlisms - and you really should put in "Nick Harper" (and "Roy Harper" as well) for a laugh - but some of our favourites include: 'Nick Harper is God', 'Nick Harper is a sweetie' [that's the HOH's fault - my bad!], 'Nick Harper is going down better and better each night' [no comment, nope, we won't go there], and 'Nick Harper is listed as questionable' [we know it's the sporty Nick Harper but who can argue with that kind of logic!].
- http://www.realestatebynickharper.com/
And you thought he was just a musical genius... ah, but now Nick Harper is also Your Friend In Real Estate! We at the HOH think this must be a really difficult job, as he's started looking like an extra in Police Academy 7. And I never even knew he was from Boston, fancy that... Big thanks to eagle-eyed Catherine for spotting this link.
- http://www.neonatology.org/jobs/job3165.html
- http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/5790/injuries.html
Catherine has sent us two new "where in the world is Nick Harper" links, both medically oriented. The first sees him as the medical director of a children's hospital in Boise, Idaho (noble), where the second gives more detail about his American footballing injuries than you ever thought possible. Most of them to the groin (steady, ladies!), and strangely enough his voice isn't mentioned *once*. Maybe the HOH should have an injuries page for the Lowden...
- http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=bio&player_id=55
And while we're at it, here's Nick's vital stats. Well, the one who plays the wrong kind of football anyway.
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/focus/2003/12/totty_nick.shtml
It's a question for the ages, of great import and profundity... Nick Harper: totty or notty? You decide! ;) Okay, different Nick H, but the question still stands LOL.
- http://groups.google.com/groups?q=%22nick+harper%22&start=30&hl=en&rnum=36&selm=32f55e7f.94502689%40nntp.msu.edu
Believe it or not, Nick gets his very own X-Files fanfic! Cool or scary? You be the judge... :)
- http://www.grapefruithead.com/ourboys/snauthor.htm
Sadly, one of our favourite links is only semi-active - we can't find a link to the story "5000 Tigers", but we found a link to a page where it should have been! Decidedly 15-rated (or R-rated for you Americans) gay-themed fanfic - WARNING, adult themes all over this. It's about the long-cancelled American sitcom Sports Night. No, I don't think I've ever seen it either... and why is the story here, you ask? Cos it's based on The Tyger. Oooookay. There's a contact email address if you really want to read it, or if Nick wants royalties!
Updated 24 September 2005
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