Events Archive

Charismatic singer and guitarist Erin Harpe, along with her band the Delta Swingers, have become favorites around New England, with a growing fan base around the world. Their unique brand of dance music is rooted in vintage 1930’s Mississippi delta blues, then shaken and stirred with other genres like soul, funk, and reggae, evoking a wild southern juke joint where the whiskey and gin are flowing and everybody’s dancing.

• International Blues Challenge Semi-finalists (2017, 2013, 2011)
• Boston Music Award Winners “Blues Act of the Year” (2012)
• Boston Blues Challenge Competition Winners (2015, 2014, 2012, 2010)
• Boston Music Award nominees (2012, 2011, 2010)
• Recognized along with Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Shemekia Copeland, Rory Block, and Ana Popovic in Alternate Route Magazine’s “30 Woman Burning Up the Blues”

Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers features Erin on vocals and lead guitar, backed by Jim Countryman on bass, Matt Charles on harmonica and Kendall Divoll on drums. Their critically acclaimed debut album Love Whip Blues (VizzTone) has been very well received, getting 4 stars in DownBeat Magazine, and airplay around the world including SeriusXM’s Bluesville!  Love Whip Blues is a refreshing, rootsy take on the blues, with songs about trains, hard luck and good luck, and of course (in the vein of Harpe’s other band, Lovewhip) shakin‘ your booty. Ten swinging tracks include four originals, Harpe’s take on songs by 1930’s blues artists, and a very unorthodox version of the classic John Prine song, “Angel From Montgomery”, famously recorded by Bonnie Raitt. Produced by Dave Gross (Candye Kane, Chris O’Leary, Albert Castiglia, Gina Sicilia) at Fat Rabbit Studios, the album shows off the band’s signature Charles River Delta Blues – their own country blues/roots/americana cocktail – including an appearance by guest star guitarist Bob Margolin (Muddy Waters band). “As a young girl, Annapolis, Maryland–native Erin Harpe learned the blues literally at the feet of the African American blues players of the Washington, D.C. acoustic scene. Her father, visual artist and guitarist Neil Harpe, was a mainstay at the famed Archie’s Barbershop where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Archie Edwards, John Cephas, Phil Wiggins and John Jackson. Erin grew up as a friend to all, picking up the true blues from early on. Her father, Neil, is internationally renowned among guitarists as a Stella expert and “purveyor of fine old time guitars.” –Frank Mathies, Living Blues Magazine Erin’s soulful vocal style and accomplished finger-picking guitar playing has earned her many fans, including guitar great Ronnie Earl, and she is quickly becoming recognized on the international blues scene. In fact, Erin completed her first European tour in Spring 2014 and is planning to head back overseas in the next year.