Ben Harper grew up listening to Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye and Cat Stevens, and they had a significant impact on his music, which spans blues, soul, reggae and folk. In 2003 he told the Guardian “People tell me how it’s strange that I’m all over the map musically, for me it’s strange that everyone else isn’t”.
Harper first spiked interest in Europe and Australia in the 90s before he broke in the US. In 2003 Diamonds on the Inside ranked 22nd in Triple J’s Hottest 100, and that year he was named French Rolling Stone’s artist of the year.
Percussionist Leon Mobley, bassist Juan Nelson, drummer Oliver Charles, keyboardist Jason Yates and guitarist Michael Ward – aka The Innocent Criminals – have worked with him on many of his’s projects, appearing on Harper’s second album, Fight for your Mind (1995), through to his eighth, Lifeline (2007).
Now the band is back with Harper on Australian soil for the first time together since 2007. Together they will release their next album, Call it what it Is, in April.
Type of Event: Music
Venue: Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Perth WA 6005
Date: 8 March 2016
Price: from $112
Website: Ticketmaster
Telephone: (08) 9480 3600
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