Harper Simon Readies Sophomore Album Division Street

Following his critically acclaimed self-titled debut, Harper Simon, son of Paul Simon, is set to release his follow up record, Division Street, on March 26th of next year. Simon co-produced Division Streetwith Tom Rothrock, who has produced albums for the likes of Elliot Smith and Beck.

Division Street is reportedly a departure for Simon. It features a sound driven by the power of electric guitars, rather than the bareback, alt-country flavor of his debut. Division Streetwas recorded with an intimate assemblage of guest musicians—including Pete Thomas from Elvis Costello’s Attractions on drums, Nikolai Fraiture from The Strokes on bass, vocals by Inara George, Feist’s musical director Brian LeBarton on synthisizer, as well as appearances from Nate Walcott from Bright Eyes and Wilco’s Mikael Jorgensen.

“I see the character in the song ‘Division Street’ as being at a moment where life can go a couple different ways,” says Simon of the title track from the new record. “I think these songs tend to be like a snapshot of a character at a pivotal moment. They could go this way or that way on the metaphorical Division Street: up or down, negative or positive, to the light or to self-destruction.”