Greetings from the road. Having a great time out here. It's been great to see faces of old friends and new. Thanks so much to everyone who has come out to the shows so far. Keep checking back as new shows are added frequently. Still lots more music to be made.
Melissa
4-6-10
Maybe you've noticed some changes around here. Two of the tracks on the right are new recordings of some old fan favorites. A new layout (my dad didn't like the pink) and some new dates on the "shows" page. Look for more dates to be added throughout the summer from the Midwest to the East Coast. Can't wait to see you East Coasters again.
Melissa
2-20-10
Hey guys, lots of stuff going on. The New Monsters are going into the studio to record an EP. Within the next few months, if you ask if we have any CDs we will be able to say "Why yes, we do. Would you like to purchase one?" Also, I'll be heading into the studio to re-record some songs you heard on my last album. Hopefully you'll enjoy the new production.
In even bigger news, I just attended my first Jennifer Knapp concert in 8 years. It was quite surreal. I broke in my performance chops playing her music in bars for years and it is so great to see her back. She's touring with Derrek Webb this spring so if you see a show anywhere near you, get to it. You'll love it. Her new album is coming out May 11th and you should get that too.
The Roundup: We posted some new dates on the "shows" page. Jen Foster is coming to Nathan P. Murphy's in Springfield on April 12. If you live in Springfield, get a team together for MSUs Relay for Life, I'll be playing there with the band, but even if I wasn't we could all stand to put a little bit into a good cause. In this case, cancer research. That's all for The Roundup. See you all soon.
From Nashville,
Melissa
1-27-10
Just wanted to give you guys a heads up. Rumor is, the Feb 6th show is expected to sell out quickly. So, if you're coming from out of town, make sure you get your tickets early. You can order them here Can't wait to see you there.
1-1-10
Welcome to the new year. We had a great show last night ringing in the new decade with all the fine folks in St. Charles. New photos music and videos are on the way for Melissa's band The New Monster Collective So make sure you keep up to date with them as well as following Melissa Harper and The New Monsters. Sounds a little redundant doesn't it? We assure you they are two very different, but equally awesome shows. Hope your new year goes well with lots of beautiful music to keep you company.
10-19-09
Two other bands have been announced for Thursdays show. Playing with Melissa Harper and The New Monsters will be My Politik and Sunrise Cassette. Check above for the radio interview Melissa did with Dr. Bob on his Sunday Morning Blues Clinic. Also, all the profits from any merch Melissa sells at the show on Thursday will go to the a21 campaign as well as your door entry. We look forward to seeing you all there to raise money to support the cause.
10-9-09
Lots of things going on people. The most important of which I'll talk about first. On Oct. 22 we will be doing a benefit concert with a full band to support the a21 campaign. The a21 campaign is an organization committed to fighting injustice in the 21st century. This seems like a sort of large and vague goal, but, essential their cause is to fight human trafficking. There are some very staggering statistics that accompany the information on human trafficking, but, suffice it to say, it is an overwhelming problem in our world that something needs to be done about. So we are. So click on the link above and get more information on the a21 campaign, and then come out to the show on Oct 22 at Nathan P. Murphy's and support the cause. I look forward to seeing you there.
The second bit of news is that, over the summer, I joined a band called The New Monsters Collective. I first heard the drummer and pianist play at an open mic night at Missouri State University and knew I wanted to be a part of their music. So, I asked if they needed a guitar player and ended up as the lead singer. We played our first show on Tuesday night with the band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and had a great time. Next week we'll be going into the studio to lay down some tracks and quickly follow that with a few more shows. So, from here on out, whenever you see the letters NMC before one of my listed shows it means I'll be playing that night as part of The New Monsters Collective. I look forward to seeing you at those shows as well.
That's all I've got to tell you for right now. I hope to see you a lot in the coming months. Oh yeah, T-Shirts are made. But, wouldn't you know it, my friends and I are the only people on the face of the planet without a digital camera so I can't take pictures of the to put in the store. It's a really cool design on a Navy Blue shirt so if you'd like to order them in the store now, you can. You just have to trust me that they look cool (they could look terrible for all I know as I made them so I'm a little biased) If anyone can fix my lack of picture taking ability problem, let me know.
Thanks for all your support,
Melissa
9-6-09
Hey guys,
Just finished up the Brandi Carlile concert. I had a great time meeting at of the ATers and playing Tim's guitar for Folsom Prison during the encore. Thanks for your support. Look for a place to order CDs and possibly other merch within the week. If you're from the Seattle show, drop me a note when you order a CD it would be great to hear from you.
Melissa- (of the Randoms) 6-28-09
In lieu of concert dates this summer, Melissa has undertaken the "July Challenge." Every day, for the month of July, you can find a new video on her
YouTube
channel. She'll be posting concert footage, songs played from her home, and other fun things. So make sure you check it out...daily...cause there will be a new one...every day. Look for her concert dates to start up again in the fall along with new music. As always, watch The Harper's website for their dates around St. Louis. You never know when Melissa might pop back up again the play with the fam.
Becky- (the new staff)
3-24-09 I
just returned
from a camping and canoeing trip where I actually loaded up all my gear
on a canoe, floated all day, and then pulled the boat up on a gravel
bar, set up tent and camped for the night. Now, I've been camping
before, and I've been canoeing before, but never both at the same time.
Well, never away from designated camping and canoeing sites.
It was fun, but I don't think I'll be doing that again anytime soon. By
the time we woke up for our second day of canoeing, I was ready to be
back in my home with my guitar and computer. Anyway, looks like I
should be posting some new dates here shortly. Also, if you're in the
Edwardsville, IL area head out to the Stagger Inn for happy hour on
friday to see the Harpers play.
Glad to be back to civilization,
Melissa
3-12-09
Looks like I will be making to St Louis to play Rich's Place with the fam. Looking forward to seeing you all there.
Melissa
P.S. It's 4:00 am again. I have not gotten back on a regular sleeping
schedule since recording the new CD. Here's to all my fellow insomniacs
and our inability to break the cycle.
2-21-09
- 4:00 am
Hey guys, just wanted to give you an update. The CD is done in record
time. I'm really excited to have finished it. I know a lot of you have
been asking for some new music and I finally have it. Thanks to Becky
and Shelbi I've got some great designs on the CD and the case. I'm so
not artistic in that manner and could never have come up with the great
stuff they did. So, if you're coming to the show tonight, bring some
extra cash with ya and you can bring home your very own piece of me
(actual parts of Melissa not included).
11-30-08 Thanks to
everyone who came out this past friday night. It was great to be back
in St. Louis playing a show and seeing all the old familiar faces. I
should have some pictures from that show up in a little while. For now
it's getting into finals time at school so I've got a ten page paper to
write, a directors proposal, lighting proposal and design to make, and
a monologue to perform. The good news is, as soon as I get that laundry
list done I've got three weeks before I have to start it up again. Ce
la vie. Keep checking back harpersmusic.com to see when my family will be playing in St. Louis again. They always put on a good show.
From back in Springfield,
Melissa
11-22-08 I'm back in
school now so gigs are probably gonna be few and far between. But I'll
do my best to update other content. So check back every now and then to
see if I've got anything new for ya.
Melissa