Interview: Shane Harper

Tommy2: Hey, it’s Tommy2 and today we’re hanging out at First Avenue in Minneapolis and joining us we have Shane Harper who just kicked off his tour with Cody Simpson and Greyson Chance. Shane, how’s it going man?

Shane Harper: Good, man how are you?

Tommy2: Doing really well. Now lets talk about your new self-titled album. How would you describe it to someone unfamiliar with your music at all?

Shane Harper: It’s real, it’s real acoustic pop. It’s a very classic sounding pop record I think but it has an edge and that’s it has really strong acoustic features cause I write everything on acoustic guitar. So it’s kind of the streaming thing throughout the whole record and it has a lot of heart too cause I got to write on all the songs. So it’s very personal for me and it’s, I think it is a pop record with a lot of heart. That’s how I’ve been describing it, so…

Tommy2: So it’s kind of more like… people that like the stripped down just acoustic feel, it’s where it’s at.

Shane Harper: Yeah, it’s like that stripped down acoustic thing but we’ve got… I’ve got some great producers that really know how to put in those beats that don’t feel too… they feel organic, but not too organic you know. They’re radio friendly, but not too… it’s like that mix. Cause I love artists like Jason Mraz and stuff so I kind of wanted to get that feel in there but still be you know, relatable to the young audience and stuff.

Tommy2: And of course that album includes your single, Dance With Me that was pretty successful on Radio Disney quite… about a year ago. Were you happy with how that was received.

Shane Harper: I man I was so jazzed when it got picked up for rotation and they did the pick it or kick it thing. I was so nervous it was going to get kicked. But then it got picked and they put it on rotation. Dude I was so stoked. It was really, really incredible just for it having you know it’d been my first, you my first single was just incredible.

Tommy2: And one thing you I couldn’t help notice is that your record deal is with Adam Anders, who’s the music producer for Glee. How’d you two end up connecting with him?

Shane Harper: You know Adam actually, he found me on MySpace. Actually…

Tommy2: Back when MySpace was cool right?

Shane Harper: Back when MySpace was cool I had all my stuff on MySpace. It was funny, I just did covers… just covers on my guitar and some, a couple original songs. Yeah, that’s kind of how we got acquainted, and then I went into his office and the first song I ever played for him was Dance With Me and he happened to think it was a great tune so…

Tommy2: A long with a lot of other people right?

Shane Harper: Yeah…

Tommy2: To date, you’ve had some you’ve had some pretty amazing opportunities such as being in of High School Musical 2 and the film Flipped, but probably most people identify you as Spencer Walsh on Disney Channel’s Good Luck Charlie. Have you been enjoying that opportunity?

Shane Harper: Yeah, working on Good Luck Charlie is… is insane man. They’re all so sweet, and you know we did the pilot over two years ago and here we are in the second season and the show’s doing great and they’re wonderful people, and it’s really fun and they just keep having me back so I always jump at the opportunity cause it’s a really fun experience.

Tommy2: That had to be kind of weird too cause like you just mentioned how long ago the pilot was shot, and then to see how far it’s gone since then. Since you created something hoping it would work and now it’s like a staple.

Shane Harper: It’s wild. Yeah, it’s so wild because we did the pilot and just waited for six months to see if it got picked up. And then when it got picked up we were like alright, well hopefully we don’t get canceled in the first season. You know one of those things, and the fact that it’s going and is successful is really just, it’s pretty awesome.

Tommy2:And what’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you on the set?

Shane Harper: The set… oh boy? Funniest thing… well, we were filming this scened and I was on crutches and I think it was it was one of the talent show, it was the talent show episode and I was on crutches at the door and Bridgit opened the door, and the minute she opened the door I just started laughing like uncontrollably and it happened for about four takes and that was one of the funnier moments on the set. Yeah, for sure.

Tommy2:So it looks like the show now has two solo acts, with Bridgit (Mendler) just signing with Hollywood Records. Were you surprised when you found out about that?

Shane Harper: Uh… not surprised at all Not surprised at all. She’s extremely talented and she’s always kind of jamming backstage with her guitar and stuff and always playing so I totally expected it. Yeah, her talent is unreal

Tommy2:Maybe on the show we should have you two reunite again and make a little super band?

Shane Harper: Yeah, I’m all down for that. Yeah, put that to the writers. I’m down for that… it’s great.

Tommy2:Now getting back to the music, so many people have hang ups with actors being singers, especially when there is an association with Disney involved. Why don’t talk about your musical background and how long you’ve be playing. Street cred, that type of stuff.

Shane Harper: Street cred… yeah, street cred totally. No, that’s a huge, huge misconception you know with that whole thing with that everyone has a hard time with actors being musicians but I think a unique thing about how I came about doing this whole thing is that I started both at the exact same time and I’ve been playing guitar since I was about eight years old, and piano as well and I’ve always been writing music. It wasn’t something to where I started acting and realized oh I’m getting semi-famous, maybe I should put out a record you know what I mean? Like, I’ll learn how to sing and play guitar and do that. I had always been doing that ever since I was a kid and it was very organic and it’s not anything super forced I guess. You know, I’ve just always been doing it. I never thought I’d have a career at it even. I didn’t even… you know Adam was the first person to say, “Hey, I think you could actually, you could actually have a career in music.” I never thought in a million years that I would end up doing it, so…