The Punch List with Guitar Man Harper Marchman-Jones
Metronome Charleston‘s weekly Punch List puts local musicians on the spot with a questionnaire that touches on music, venues, gear, records, vices, and more. This week, guitarist Harper Marchman-Jones of the local bands Urban Praise Band and Clint 4 takes a turn.
1. What is your favorite local hang and why?
“This is a toughie, but I’ve gotta say the Tin Roof. There are several other great bars venues in town, but this one is on my side of the river. I can show up on any night of the week and know that I’ll have friends there. I never feel like a stranger.”
2. You know you’ve played an excellent show when…
“People are dancing. Well, people other than Carl. You can always count on Carl to be up front, dancing. Thanks, Carl!”
Harper Marchman-Jones, Fender Telecaster in hand (provided)
3. What was the last show you attended that really got you fired up in a good or bad way?
“I’d have to say it was the Magic Camp set at the Sparrow — another awesome venue — a few weeks ago. I’ve been watching those guys play for a long time, but I’ve never seen them perform with such ferocity and tightness.”
4. Define your musical style in exactly 10 words.
“British ghosts emerging from jangling guitars to perform eldritch rituals.”
5. What’s your theme song?
“‘Almost With You’ by the Church, because life’s objectives are perpetually just beyond our grasp.”
6. Gear-wise, what’s is your irreplaceable baby?
“My 1979 Suntech Special Edition. It’s not really worth anything — no collector value – but it plays well, has a unique sound, and is about as common as rooster teeth.”
7. What’s the most overplayed album in your collection?
“Aja by Steely Dan has been in regular rotation in my car and on my turntable for the last decade. I just get lost in the expansiveness of the compositions and production and awed by the vision and ingenuity of Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, and Gary Katz. It’s one of those rare albums where I can become fully immersed in the alternate reality of a sonic landscape.”
8. When was the last time you were genuinely star-struck?
“I saw David Vandervelde at the Music Farm a little over a year ago when he was on tour with Dr. Dog. Now, I guess he’s not even, like, “indie-famous,” but I was a huge fan of his first album — The Moonstation House Band — and I couldn’t believe he was working his own merch table. I gushed like a fanboy, bought him drinks, and shoved a demo in his face. He was really cool about it, though. He even put a star next to my name on the mailing list.
9. What’s your poison?
“Coffee.”
Clint 4 at the Tin Roof (photo by Ballard Lesemann)
10. In 10 years, I will be…
“Further.”
Harper Marchman-Jones performed with a group called Sir Greendown before joining instrumental trio Clint 4 (guitarist/tuba player Clint Fore) and forming the experimental indie/rock quartet Urban Praise Band with percussionist Wes Schneider (also of Sir Greendown) and half of Firework Show — guitarist/vocalist Zach Bodtorf and bassist/vocalist Casey Atwater. The band calls it’s sound “dragon wave,” adding that it “draws on long-forgotten lore to concoct catchy, literate, and subtly arcane guitar pop.”
The Urban Praise Band performs at the Tin Roof at 10 p.m. on Thurs. April 25. Savannah’s Blackrune opens with a set of ambient/noise at 9 p.m. Admission is $5.
Visit facebook.com/UrbanPraiseBand for more.
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About the Author
Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.
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