Sarah Williams
Beaver Staff
Local musical duo Watkins Harp has announced the release of their latest album Tuesday Morning through Revolver Records. This album falls on the heels of their last, Boondog Quip, released in 2019.
Rob Watkins and Tom Harpell took a few moments to speak with the Beaver about their musical journey.
“About a year ago, we contacted a record company in England, Revolver Records, thinking ‘what have we got to lose?’” said Harpell. “They contacted us right away and said we’d like to distribute our first album.”
That first success with Revolver dominoed when this year, the record company asked the Watkins and Harpell for a follow-up.
The duo known for their Americana Roots music, have been making music for at least 40 years-both separately and apart-with the past eight years having been devoted to their project Watkins Harp.
When asked how their music has evolved over the years, both musicians pointed to an increase in confidence that has paid dividends.
“I’m more tame than I was before. When you’re a guy in your twenties, you’ve got a lot of stuff to prove and there’s testosterone in your songs,” quipped Watkins.
Both joked about having “put in our 40 year apprenticeship”
“We’re not ashamed to write a love song for our wives, kids or grandkids,” explained Watkins. “Our music has evolved into a more mature understanding of life.”
Harpell also noted the pair has gained confidence and, with it, newfound success.
“I think we have a lot more confidence. We’re writing more now to please ourselves,” said Harpell.
“When you’re young you’re writing wondering what people will think. Now, it’s to please us and hopefully others will listen and like it. Some will and some wont.”
In fact, the Napanee duo’s confidence has recently received a boost from Belgian magazine Roots Time and various radio stations who play their music in the Netherlands.
When speaking to their style of music, Watkins noted they didn’t want to subscribe to a particular genre just for the sake of doing so.
“Americana Roots music is a big thing now and a lot of people think we’re cashing in, but we did this before it had a label on it,” said Watkins. “This is just something we’ve always been doing.”
With everything going on in the world, Watkins added they had intended to create a positive album.
“Why not have something that’s going to lift your spirits?” he said. “What better way than with music?”
Though the pair agreed that the pandemic has affected their writing and recording practices insomuch as they must be socially distanced, they also expressed gratitude for having been fairly fortunate during this crisis-especially at a time when much of the arts is falling by the wayside.
“Unfortunately, throughout this pandemic, the arts have taken such a hit,” mused Watkins. “The arts is always the first thing crossed off the list of things people need, but take music or art out of anyone’s life and see what that life is going to be like.”
The album will be available on iTunes and Amazon, among other digital platforms, on Nov. 3. For more information about the music of Watkins Harp, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WatkinsHarp.