Harris Newman
Ilana Kronick
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Newman: Coming into focus
photo: Josh Newman
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Punk rocker at heart
One listen to Harris Newman's rigorous acoustic guitar style and you might presume, as some naturally have, that this locally bred player spends a lot of time appreciating folk music. But as exacting, earnest and striking as his playing is, let it be known it is not an expression of folk devotion, or any approximation thereof. "The motivation for me was to do something as simplistic and streamlined as possible," says Newman. "I was burnt out on working with too many people and dealing with conflicting lives and needs and musical interests. I was also burnt out on equipment and wires and all those things that make music complicated and difficult. My aspiration was to play a show where I walk in with everything I need in two hands."
With roots secured in rock (indie bands Howard North, Sackville and Milken are included in his back catalogue), Newman has teetered between guitar and bass since his teens. It was only four years ago that he committed to his guitar playing, the likes of which would be impressive after a decade of honing.
"I think a lot of the way I play guitar comes from playing bass," he admits. "Definitely for finger-style guitar, which is a different headspace."
On his second release, Accidents With Nature and Each Other (with Bruce Cawdron and Sandro Perri), Newman continues cracking away at the thematic conflict of twisted pastoral landscape, careful
to keep things pointed but precarious. "I kill songs all the time," he concedes. "I definitely don't like it when things get too pretty. I mean, in my head and my heart I'm a punk rocker."
Harris Newman CD launch with Micah Blue Smaldone at Rad'a (841 Gilford), March 3.
