Exposed Vocals just sat down to an exclusive interview with ‘Harper D’

Among the hills of Tennessee, way back in the hollers where the river flows is a sound just as organic and pure as the birds and crickets. Flat tops are humming, steel strings are bending, and his voice can be heard in the pines and the cedars.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

I grew up in Lake Jackson, TX. A little town just south of Houston not far from the coast. From early on I think one of the biggest inspirations was just playing the guitar, I was still awe struck after watching the original “Back to the Future” movie and the Marty scene playing Johnny Be good.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Play your instrument all the time, write songs all the time. Even bad ones, nobody gets good at this after one day! Learn your craft but don’t let it define you— always at the end of the day be yourself, and express what’s unique about just you.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Absolutely, Ya I doubt like it all the time but we are human. Over the years I’ve learned to be forgiving with myself. There is no use doing a show we’re you limit and down your performance from one or two mistakes. Don’t let that wreck the show or the songs that really shine.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Not a full on tour yet but mostly local stuff or where I have fans say in Texas. Than I would consider a show in that area if I know people would want to hear it.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

After working in studios for years, and engineering myself. I finally made the switch to work only with a trusted producer/engineer. I was spending so much energy recording the project that I wasn’t putting that into the songs or the performance and it really showed. I know for me I had to make a change, and it helped me be more creative and just focus on that.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Well I think streaming music has really changed the game, there are allot of things you can do yourself with trying to get on playlist on Spotify or whatever. But one resource that has been good for me getting more of my music out is playlistpush.com

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Well I’ve always been a sucker for John Mayers style of writing songs, and his guitar handy work. I saw him do a show recently here in Nashville and was pretty blown away. So ya that would be allot of fun to do something live together.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

I just finished a new Ep. Self titled: Harper D. I’m proud of it, songs are strong and production is great. Of course there’s tweaks I’d love to go back and fix but overall I’m proud of it– you guys should hear it!

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Well to me that’s a relative question because most musicians including myself have a side job, or jobs waiting tables between gigs or something. It would be hard for me to stop playing music, but if I wasn’t like you asked I’d work full time in the finance industry.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

More great music coming out, I’m working on a music video budget right now and more dates for shows to places like Colorado or Texas.

Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?

Thanks to my good friend and producer Tommy Collier for all your help with this EP. Tommy also