About Nina Mae Harper
Somewhere just south of Folk, north of Americana, a little bit west of Country and occasionally close to The Blues is the musical place singer/songwriter Nina Mae Harper calls home.
Originally from The Netherlands, love took Nina far north to Aberdeen in Scotland for 12 years before she re-located to Valencia, Spain in 2018.
Nina writes grown-up songs chronicling the universal truths of modern, “grown-up” love – the elation, the heartache, uncertainty and big midlife question of ´Is this all ?´ She also explores themes such as the search for truth and freedom, and darker topics like depression — always from a feminine and mature perspective.
With a noticeable nod to the timeless storytelling and music of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and other folk giants, Nina also draws inspiration from the melancholic bluesy melodies of new and cult female singer-songwriters like Eilen Jewell, Imelda May and Lucinda Williams.
Nina´s musical journey
Nina Mae Harper (born Nina Eggens) hails from Emmen, in the northeast of the Netherlands. She sang before she could talk, growing up in a music-loving home and exploring the sounds of folk, blues, and world music. At 15, she discovered an acoustic guitar in the attic and taught herself to play using the Beatles songbook, writing her first song that same year.
In Groningen, late 1990s, while studying History of Art, she formed a quirky band called Nina’s Dochters, gaining local radio play and a loyal following. Always curious and restless, Nina moved across cities and countries, performing in ska-jazz, rock, blues, folk, and alt.country bands. In Scotland, she joined The Malpaso Gang, embracing her alt.country roots.
After twelve years in Aberdeen, motherhood, and midlife changes, Nina and her husband relocated to Valencia, Spain, where she continued performing with folk bands like Trebol.
In 2024, inspired by a songwriting retreat with Berklee professor Andrea Stolpe, Nina decided to pursue her solo project, adopting the stage name Nina Mae Harper.
Today, she writes and performs songs that blend folk, Americana, and blues, and regularly performs live shows with her band.
The Band
Vocals & Guitar: Nina Mae Harper (Netherlands)
Electric Guitar: Toni Saiz (Spain)
Bass guitar: Carel de Neeve (Netherlands)
Drums/ percussion: David Rowley (Australia)
Guitarist Toni Saiz has refined his technique over many years playing with a wide range of local bands in the region, including the legendary Valencian rockabilly group Blue Moon, with whom he participated in the album Antología.
Carel de Neeve, a Dutch bass player, built an extensive career before relocating to Valencia. Passionate about blues, blues rock, and 1970s pop, he has performed internationally with various bands, including a European tour with Magic Frankie, opening for B.B. King.
Drummer David Rowley, originally from Sydney (Australia), has had a long career playing with cult bands in his home country, alongside future or former members of The Bad Seeds, Helmet, The Lime Spiders, and The Died Pretty. He was also part of Salvation Sunday, signed to Polydor UK, with whom he toured extensively throughout the UK.
Nina Mae Harper 