Harry Kappen continues the journey of his latest album After the Crossing with the release of “Distant Shore,” a deeply reflective single inspired by the experiences of refugees forced to leave their homes in search of safety and a future for their families. The song grew out of Kappen’s own relocation from the Netherlands to Mexico and the perspective that experience gave him on the privilege of moving by choice rather than necessity.
While After the Crossing marks the first album Kappen recorded after settling in Mexico, “Distant Shore” quickly became one of the songs closest to him personally. As news reports documented people crossing borders and seas under dangerous and often inhumane conditions, Kappen found himself reflecting on the stark difference between his own journey and the realities faced by those fleeing war, poverty, and persecution.
Rather than speaking for those experiences, the song approaches them with empathy and respect, focusing on the courage required to leave everything behind in pursuit of safety and opportunity. The result is a piece that balances sorrow and hope, acknowledging loss while honoring resilience and determination.
Musically, “Distant Shore” draws on atmospheric arrangements and the distinctive sound of the mellotron, creating a spacious and cinematic backdrop for the song’s themes. Kappen has cited David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” as an important influence on the track, with the single also serving as a tribute to one of his musical heroes a decade after his passing.
The release arrives as part of an especially productive chapter in Kappen’s career. After the Crossing is his fifth album since the Covid era, following Escape, Time Will Tell, and Four. True to his independent approach, every song on the album was written, performed, sung, and produced by Kappen himself, allowing the project to reflect his experiences with complete creative freedom.
Born in Groningen in the north of the Netherlands, Kappen built his musical foundations performing in rock bands and producing music for Dutch radio and television before later pursuing a career in music therapy. For more than twenty years he worked in youth care and taught on an international master’s programme in music therapy, experiences that shaped both his understanding of people and his approach to music.
Now based in Mexico City, Kappen continues to balance music with therapeutic work while exploring new creative directions. His recent work has earned recognition, including an Elite Music Award for Songwriter of the Year and an Independent Music Network Award for Favorite Impact Artist, alongside nominations from the ISSA Awards and Josie Music Awards.
With “Distant Shore,” Harry Kappen delivers one of the most personal moments on After the Crossing, using music to reflect on displacement, gratitude, and the courage of those who undertake journeys far greater than his own.’
Listen Here:open.spotify.com/track/0iosbAodNvy
Follow Harry Kappen:@kappenharry