John Wesley Harding: Musician, Novelist, Host and Philadelphian.

JUMP reader James Rosenthal, of the Philly band Clarksville, recently sat down with John Wesley Harding, the British pop/ folk artist, bestselling author and sometime college professor who now resides in Philadelphia. Rosenthal filed this report:

John Wesley Harding states, “Silence is the new rock ‘n’ roll.”

Having recently invaded Philadelphia, the English songwriter explains his philosophy as we eat Schmitters in a favorite Chestnut Hill haunt. He is promoting his latest album, The Sound Of His Own Voice, and touring with his backing band.

This is where it gets complicated. On YepRoc Records, he is in good company with stellar label mates Nick Lowe, John Doe, Thee Minus Five and even mod-god Paul Weller. The special part of this project, says JWH, is, “to play (tour) with the musicians who recorded the album.”

In this case, The Minus Five, which is the collaborative project of “now unemployed,” REM guitarist, Peter Buck, and the vivacious Young Fresh Fellows frontman, Scott Mchaughey.

“They’re both wonderful people whom I love to work with in almost any capacity – producer, player, backing singer, etc,” Harding says. “Both terrifically generous of their time and energies.”

To this mix, JWH adds a few Decemberists (four) to complete an immaculate backing band. Presto: The King Charles Trio.

Together, this group makes possible the complex instrumentation on the album, whether rockish or poppy. JWH’s excellent tune “Gentleman Caller” with driving Taxman riff is a good example.

Whether on a recording or on stage, Buck’s 12-string and signature mandolin help drive Harding’s solid narratives, illustrating a healthy continuum within folkie aesthetic. The band keeps it moving forward, while enriched by the best of the past.

This also happened in the mid-Sixties (Harding was born in Hastings, 1965) when the Byrds did it for Bob Dylan songs. Decemberists’ fans can hear Bucks “guitar” aesthetic seemlessly infused into their last album, Long Live The King. The more tasteful classic rock and folk references that sneak in, the better. Echoes of Leonard Cohen are heard on Harding’s spooky song about professors at school, “The Examiners.”

Why is Philadelphia a great place to continue multiple endeavors?

“It’s history, it’s libraries, it’s radio,” he offers.

Harding is also a writer of novels. At home with historical fiction, his third book, “Charles Jessold, Considered As A Murderer,” is out now.

Harding’s historic interest may explain the derivation of his stage name (he was born Wesley Stace). His stage name is taken from the 1967 Dylan record of the same name, itself named after an outlaw from the Wild West of the 19th century.

Harding studied English literature at Cambridge University, where he began singing.

“Writing songs and novels is quite different,” Harding says.

As if the man was not busy enough, Mr. Harding is the prime mover behind an inspired meta-variety show called, “The Cabinet of Wonders,” which features comedy, arts and literature. The talkative Harding functions as master of ceremonies and collaborates with guests as troubadour. He is certainly the right man for the job.

Check here for upcoming performances.

(Photo by Bill Wadman, courtesy of John Wesley Harding).