Ben Harper's Lifeline Is A "Defining Moment"

Using soundchecks to jam on new material, Ben Harper and his band completed a European tour with an entire album's worth of songs that they immediately recorded in a modest Parisian studio, resulting in what Harper calls "a modern-sounding soul record that can stand the test of time.

"Inspired by the "City Of Lights," the band decided to add a little "je ne sais quoi" to the usually tedious recording process and traded ProTools, auto-tune and other typical sound engineering marvels for a beat-up 16-track recorder, and managed to lay down all 11 songs for their Lifeline album in just one week.

But battling the temperamental lo-fi equipment wasn't always fun. There were times when the machinery would refuse to co-operate, so the group had to learn to get it right quickly.

"It certainly tested our abilities," says Harper. "We were challenged. We had to lean on our own skills."

Ever the consummate professional, Harper helped move the process along by recording many songs in just one take.

"I don't wanna brag, but it's one sitting — [improvised lap steel track] 'Paris Sunrise' straight into 'Lifeline' — there's witnesses, too," he says.

Despite the technical challenges, Harper insists he prefers the simplicity and intimacy of committing songs straight to tape.

"I do look forward to doing it again. From here on in, I'm 16-track analogue."

Lifeline, out on Aug. 28 via Virgin, marked the first time that the band, as a whole, participated in the songwriting process.

"They stepped right up to it," says Harper. "It's a new step in our evolution.

"This record's been a defining moment for us. It's renewed my appreciation for a specific sound that I will pursue for the next five years."

Here are Ben Harper And The Innocent Criminals' Canadian tour dates:

Sept. 24-25 Montreal, QC @ Theatre St. Denis
Sept. 28-29 Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
Nov. 13 Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre