“That’s how we tour,” Harper said. “It’s easy to do the cities and nowhere else. … There are beautiful places and good people who like music just like everyone else. I like to explore new places, and I guess that’s how we found Bellingham.”

Harper started writing music at least 20 years ago. He was in a band that played only original music, he said.

“I’ve always thought it was more important to write your own music instead of covering someone else,” Harper said. “I always like the creative process, but doing covers won’t give me any satisfaction.”

Harper said he listens to any type of music — all of which influence the music he plays — but somehow his music always has a little blues and soul influence. Harper said he attributes that to blues’s being his first love.

But categorizing music is challenging, Harper said.

“It’s a pity that we have to label things and pigeonhole into some places,” Harper said. “But I’ve found it hard to pigeonhole me, which is nice. Just put in the one that says ‘music.’”

Harper grew up in Perth, Australia, but moved a few years ago and now lives on 11 acres in Michigan.

Onstage, Harper plays the didgeridoo, an Australian wind instrument, harmonica and vocals, but when writing music, he plays many more instruments. He has released five albums, including one live album. He describes his lyrics as “slightly political but not preachy.”

Harper has been playing with the same band for two years now, he said.

Harper is scheduled to play at 9 p.m. Friday at the Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St. The concert is $10 before the show and $12 at the door. Harper is also playing Thursday at The Yale Hotel, 1300 Granville St., in Vancouver, B.C., and Saturday at Highway 99 Blues Club, 1414 Alaskan Way, in Seattle.

For more on Harper, check out www.harper.biz.