Harper Simon

Beige cotton shirt BAND OF OUTSIDERS and white Mike sunglasses SELIMA OPTIQUE

singer and songwriter

interview by SABINE HELLER
portrait by FRANCES TULK-HART
style by MASHA ORLOV

 

While most performers seek the limelight, soft-spoken and contemplative Harper Simon shies away from the spotlight. His disarming vulnerability, nerdy charm, and passion for art is perhaps why he has been able to draw impressive collaborators — from Tracey Emin and the novelist Ben Okri to Tom Rothrock, the co-producer of his new record, Division Street, which is being released this fall. With a choirboy voice (not dissimilar to that of his father, Paul Simon), sophisticated musical arrangements, and clever lyrics, Harper Simon’s songs are simply irresistible.

 

SABINE HELLER — What were you like as a teenager — off the radar or a party fixture?
HARPER SIMON — I’m still off the radar. When I was in…