The music is in the lead here, and a large part of this, I have no idea what I’m doing. I feel a closer bond with the craft of songwriting, stronger than I ever have. – Ben Harper
You look like gold. I’ve been fooled before, but now I know I’ve made the mistake in the past. But now I, now I know the difference from gold and brass. – Ben Harper
That happens every time I get behind a guitar, regardless of what I’m saying, ’cause music is freedom and being free is the closest I’ve ever felt to being spiritual. – Ben Harper
The advice I have for new artists is this – write great songs and play them live as often as possible. Get residencies all over town and crush it. – Ben Harper
I grew up with the Blind Boys’ music. My family owns a music store in Claremont, California, called The Claremont Folk Music Center. I grew up with a heavy diet of gospel, folk, and blues because those are kind of the cornerstones of traditional American music. – Ben Harper
I really feel there’s no limitation on what this band can do in the studio or on the stage. That’s an empowering feeling – that we can bring a song to life. – Ben Harper
Sometimes I may be totally arrogant, sometimes I may totally be the most humble guy you’ve ever met, sometimes I may be in between. But that’s life. Who isn’t like that? What’s the big deal if I had an arrogant moment. – Ben Harper
As long as the songs are strong, I think you can express yourself in any style and have it be soulful and have it be your own voice. – Ben Harper
When it comes to writers and poets, for me it’s Vinicius de Moraes. He’s one of the greatest lyricists ever. – Ben Harper
Genetics do play a role in how you consciously or subconsciously manifest your true self. – Ben Harper
We figured you could download live shows for days, so we decided to go for a cream-of-the-crop approach, but not just take the best vocal or the best performances. – Ben Harper
So it’s not so much that I set out to do something different, it’s just that the songs themselves require their own individual voice and attention. – Ben Harper
If it comes out sounding like Dixieland jazz or classical or punk or rock or even slightly metal, that’s because that’s where I’m going to find inspiration. – Ben Harper
It will make a weak man mighty. it will make a mighty man fall. It will fill your heart and hands or leave you with nothing at all. It’s the eyes for the blind and legs for the lame. It is the love for hate and pride for shame. That’s the power of the gospel. – Ben Harper
Life is short and if you’re looking for extension, you had best do well. ‘Cause there’s good deeds and then there’s good intentions. They are as far apart as Heaven and Hell. – Ben Harper
The only way that you can find any semblance of a rule, or make any semblance of your own rule, is to tear up the rulebook. Throw it out, burn it, throw it away, and make your own rules. – Ben Harper
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences. – Ben Harper
