We were fortune enough to catch up with musician Harry Kappen following the superb single release, ‘Where the Volcano is Awake’. Read our full interview below!
Hi Harry, how did you first get into music?
I took guitar lessons from the age of 10. After that, I was in a number of bands in high school. It quickly became more serious, and we started visiting national stages. Later also internationally
Who influenced your brilliant latest release, ‘Where the Volcano is Awake’?
My wife is Mexican. I love her country and have been there several times. Perhaps next year, we will definitely move in that direction and enter a new phase of life. The song itself was written quite quickly. You can see a lyric video on YouTube: youtu.be/bdlu0mK…Kk2HY.
‘Where the Volcano is Awake’ is an indie-rock release; what draws you to the genre?
I am not tied to a specific genre and prefer not to be pigeonholed. My voice and guitar are the connecting factors in all my songs. I make songs and never know what style it will ultimately be in. If it feels good, then it is good.
There is a compelling video that accompanies ‘Where the Volcano is Awake’ Can you tell us about its composition?
The volcano refers to the Popocatepetl, a volcano in Mexico. It is an active volcano that does its own thing; sometimes quiet and calm, but often unexpectedly also very active. For me, it is a metaphor for the feeling of freedom. In my opinion, the song also got that atmosphere. A song to sing along to loudly on the road in your convertible.
You are based in Baarn. What’s the live music scene like there in 2024?
Baarn is a small village in the centre of the Netherlands. It has almost no music scene. I was born in Groningen, in the north. That student city had and has a very lively music scene. I played in many bands there, usually with a repertoire consisting of my own work. Sometimes I come back and enjoy the atmosphere in that city.
What motivates you to make music?
I’ve been making music all my life and couldn’t live without it. So, nothing should motivate me to do that. For me, making music is the same as eating, sleeping and breathing. I translate my experiences and feelings, things from my environment and international developments, into my music. I’m not a great talker, but I prefer to translate everything that’s going on inside me into music.
If you could open for any artist/band, who would it be?
I’m a huge fan of Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Knower, Motorpsycho, Billie Eilish, and many other bands and artists. If they want me to open it, I have no problem with that. And if they want to open it for me, that’s fine too 🙂
What is your biggest mistake in the music industry so far?
In my opinion, there are no mistakes, only opportunities and choices. It goes the way it goes, and I relate to that. I’ve enjoyed every period, and my love for music has never faded along the way, so I don’t think I’ve done much wrong.
What are your other passions aside from music?
I work as a music therapist in youth care and teach at a master’s program in music therapy in Rotterdam. That’s more than a full-time job. So I don’t have much time left. In my spare time, I enjoy making music and cooking.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I hope the quality of the music will improve again. I mean that nowadays, music can be a bit more adventurous and not always written in the same four chords. The charts are full of this. The music industry is ultimately us, the musicians. Let us conform less to what the average listener wants and, above all, let us exhibit our individuality more. This can be done better than ever before; find your own way through performances and social media and create your own fan base. The “music industry” will then come to you instead of the other way around.
What sets you apart from other artists?
I don’t know, and I don’t think about it either. I do what I like and do it the best I can. I hope other musicians do that, too.
What is the best music advice you can give to new artists?
Start playing in bands early, as much as possible and find your own sound.
Be open to other music, practice a lot, don’t focus too much on equipment, and create and find your own sound and musical identity in the playing that comes from your fingers and throat.
What new music are you listening to at the moment?
Knower, Ren, and new emerging guitar heroes like Tim Henson, Marcin and Mateo Mancuso. But I still love listening to the compositions of Paul McCartney and David Bowie.
What musical plans do you have for the next two years?
‘Where the Volcano Is Awake’ is the fifth single from my album ‘Time Will Tell’. That will be the last single of this album. I have now started working on a new album. I don’t look that far ahead, a few months at most, but certainly not 2 years. I think the new album will be ready early next year. I’ll keep you posted via my website www.harrykappen.com.
FVMusicBlog September 2024.
https://www.harrykappen.com
https://www.facebook.com/kappenhe
https://twitter.com/HarryKappen
https://instagram.com/kappenharry
Leave a Reply