A Chat with Harry Kappen (26.06.26)
Composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, storyteller, and music therapist, singer-songwriter Harry Kappen celebrates beauty, life and change through music. Hailing from the Netherlands but now located in Mexico, Kappen creates and shares music with the masses with ease and sophistication. We speak with Kappen about his single, ‘Distant Shore’, his new album, inspiration and much more.
OSR: What drew you to music? It’s cliché, but I’m curious.
Kappen: My sister played the guitar – she owned a Spanish guitar that I would regularly “borrow”, and that’s how I discovered the instrument’s possibilities. We also shared a deep love for music; we watched music programs, swapped LPs, and so on. Later on, we even played in bands together at times, and in separate ones at others. I played a lot with friends from Groningen (in the north of the Netherlands), performing early on at school parties and later at the many music venues the city boasted at the time.
OSR: You work as a musician and music therapist. So, what does music mean to you?
Kappen: Music is about communication and giving voice to one’s inner world. As a musician, I feel free in music; I play, sing, tell stories, compose, arrange, and produce in my own way, whenever and however I choose. As a musician, I want to create something beautiful – primarily for myself – though it is a wonderful bonus if others appreciate it too.
As a therapist, I utilize the qualities of music (tempo, dynamics, volume, the translation of emotion, music as a language, and much more) to shape the therapy.
OSR: Does your work as a therapist influence your work as a professional musician, and vice versa?
Kappen: Musically, not really; for me, they are two separate worlds. Over time, however, I have become better at writing lyrics – something I attribute to getting older, but also to becoming better at reflection and taking more time to consider the things happening around me. These are qualities I have increasingly developed over the years as a therapist.
OSR: You recently released your album, After The Crossing. What can you tell us about it? Any backstory or themes that inspired the album?
Kappen: I moved from the Netherlands to Mexico late last year. From one environment to another, from my native language to a new one, from one culture to another. I realized that being able to take such a step was, in fact, a luxury, especially when contrasted with the plight of refugees, where entire families flee places offering no future prospects for somewhere they hope things will be better. I wrote the song ‘Distant Shore’ about this.
Beyond that, the collection of songs deals with various forms of transition from one situation to another: love for my Mexican wife, the moment of deciding to take a different path, the importance of living and being in the ‘now,’ and the realization that change only happens when you take the first step yourself.
OSR: You mention Bowie as an inspirational artist. How does his music influence your work, and how do you think his unique persona influences you as a musician and person?
Kappen: To me, as a musician, Bowie represents change. Throughout the years, he constantly adapted to the changing spirit of the times, sometimes without success, but usually with it. Musically, I felt he wrote surprising songs – certainly during his early period (e.g., ‘Life on Mars’, ‘Ziggy Stardust’), but just as much towards the end (e.g., ‘Blackstar’, ‘Where Are We Now’). With his distinctive style and striking voice, you knew instantly it was him; he was someone with a truly unique identity. That certainly inspired me to find my own identity and to create music in a way that allows me to feel completely at home and be myself.
OSR: What do you hope people take from After The Crossing? Also, what does the album mean to you?
Kappen: I don’t see myself as a musician who feels compelled to convey a specific message. I observe the world around me and create music based on that. Of course, I have an opinion, but I have no intention of forcing it on others; everyone is free to do as they please. To me, the album is like a diary – a record of a particular period in my life – and the songs are deeply personal. It’s a bonus if people can relate to it, but it’s also fine by me if others find it awful. That’s simply the effect art has on people. Fortunately, I do get a lot of positive feedback, though! 🙂
OSR: You release an album each year, so do you think After The Crossing is a good representation of you as a musician at the moment?
Kappen: Yes, since Covid, I’ve indeed been releasing an album every year. In fact, I’m already working on the next one. I think it gives a good picture of where I am in my life. I’ve written a huge amount of music over the years, and a lot of it remained unfinished. Now, I have the opportunity to focus on that 100% and actually complete everything. I try to bring all the music into the present, especially through the lyrics I write for it. It also motivates me to write and develop new music. I can assure you that I can keep going like this for years to come 🙂
OSR: If you had to introduce a new listener to your music, what song would you recommend and why?
Kappen: My music is quite eclectic in nature, ranging from ballads to uptempo rock, and from acoustic to electronic. I think you need to listen to a few tracks to get a real sense of it. Fortunately, everything is easily accessible on streaming platforms like Spotify. Pick your favorite, I’d say.
My current single, ‘Distant Shore,’ is certainly one of my favorite tracks. But now that I’m already working on my next album, I’m certain it will feature songs that really resonate with people.
OSR: If you could speak to a younger you, what advice would you give little Harry?
Kappen: I would primarily compliment him on how he is doing things and how he has handled things so far.
If you are referring to other ‘little Harrys’ who want to become musicians: play with other people a lot and learn from that. Always keep the fun in making music; for me, having fun comes first. And ultimately, do it your own way, at a level that suits you. Look around you and enjoy the moment. Stay open to ideas and opportunities.
OSR: What can we expect from Harry Kappen in the future?
Kappen: I have just formed a new band in Mexico City with a group of highly talented musicians. I hope to start performing with them later this year, here in Mexico, but perhaps in Europe as well; there are plans for a tour. I am certain that my music lends itself perfectly to live performance. It is a significant step for me, as I have primarily produced my music on my own in my studio until now, but I am really looking forward to stepping out and performing live.
I will also be finishing my new album, which is likely to be released in the spring. You can, of course, follow all the news regarding my music, albums, and performances on my website: www.harrykappen.com.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Kappen: Be kind to each other.
Many thanks to Harry Kappen for speaking with us. Find out more about Harry Kappen on his Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
