Interview with Harry Kappen

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? 

I can't imagine a life without music and I refuse to do so. I started playing guitar early because my older sister had a guitar and I would borrow it every now and then. Moreover, we had a common love for music and bands. Music is inextricably linked to me.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

In daily life I work as a music therapist with adolescents in complicated personal circumstances. Moreover, Also I teach at a master's degree in music therapy in Rotterdam (Codarts).

As a therapist you must be open to your client and connect with your client. It requires flexibility because every client is different. So I am able to approach that client with multiple instruments. I think that's why my music is also eclectic in nature.

How long have you been making music?

My musical interest started when I was about 8 years old. First just out of curiosity, later by taking guitar lessons and during high school and later by playing in many bands. After that I also started working as a producer.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

I used to live in Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands. A student city with a lively nightlife and therefore there were and still are many opportunities to perform as a musician. That really encouraged me.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

I have played a lot in the Netherlands from east to west from north to south. But the best performances were across the border. London is exciting and educational, Belgium is very rewarding and Germany is always special (and well cared for). The biggest performance was in the south of the Netherlands, in Eindhoven in a full football stadium, at a large festival between all kinds of foreign acts. It lasted a number of days with a lot of exchange between all acts.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Amsterdam remains my favorite. It is always nice to play, especially in 'Paradiso' and 'de Melkweg'. In the future it seems like a challenge to play in the USA.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

I would like to play in a band with Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Davie Bowie, Jeff Beck (lets assume they were still alive) and Bjork, supplemented with Knower (a great band of Genevieve Artadi and Louis Cole). Of course we will only play songs of mine,,..hahahaha…

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Try to become as good as you can with your instrument and start playing with others as soon as possible. Be open to other people's advice and keep learning, but also try to find your own voice.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? 

The Escape album contains some very personal songs. Of course, all my songs are dear to me and like a parent I will never point out my favorite child. But 'Friend' is special because it is about my best friend who I knew from childhood and who died two years ago. 'Escape', the opening track, is special because I love its bluesy sound. The same goes for 'Dazzling skies' and 'Mysterious Life’, they both have that special mood. The Escape album is an eclectic album and it was the beginning of the collaboration with Michael Stover of MTS management group.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

I like songs with a good recognizable melody line. My audience too. My latest single, 'One Life', is a good example of this. However, on Spotify, 'The Freedom Inside' is the clear favorite with more than 224,000 hits.  That song is special because of its beautiful structure and orchestral accompaniment.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

It starts with improvising on my guitar, followed by tinkering with the structure, instruments, beat, etc. etc. For me, the music comes first, then the lyrics. I am inspired by everything that happens around me or what the news is every day. For example, 'Wargames' was created after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and 'Not all of us agreed' is a response to technical developments such as A.I.

'The Freedom Inside' was a response to the negative sentiment of people around me and on TV and on social media. I had to make something about “if you criticize the world, start a better world with yourself and find the freedom within yourself to do that...

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so please tell me about them.

Because I often respond to current events in my music, it makes sense that I give my opinion about it at the same time. But I'm not a protest singer and I don't want to force my opinion on anyone. But I think bad guy Putin and uncontrolled developments in A.I.  are threats for democracy.

Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about? 

‘ONE LIFE, the album’ will be released soon in the spring and will be available on my website www.harrykappen.com. A few months later you can of course listen to it on all other streaming platforms. There will be 12 songs on it and I'm looking forward to it, because I really feel like this will be my best album yet.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

We'll see what the future brings us. But in addition to my music, I also want to use my experiences as producer more for other musicians and bands. You can contact me for this via my website or the MTS management group.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

Just keep an eye on www.harrykappen.com  for all news and developments!! On Spotify and every other streaming platform you can listen to my music.