Ben Harper is a tough guy to define. His fourth album, Burn to Shine, covers a range of musical styles, from old-school hip-hop to Woodstock folk. With his multi-ethnic roots and penchant for western wear, he looks like the love child of Jimi Hendrix and Roy Rogers. The mellow rock god from Claremont, California, recently dished with PAPERMAG about Gucci love, a dude named Nudie and the right way to "wash" jeans.

Michelle Lee: Does it bug you when people concentrate on your style instead of your music?

Ben Harper: No. Dude, I love talking about things other than music, like clothes and style. I'm more interested in clothes than most people.

Michelle Lee: Good, because that's what we're talking about! What do you love about fashion?

Ben Harper: It's about finding that unique thing that hangs on you like no one else, so you feel like you're the only person who's ever worn it. There might be a million of them, but it doesn't look like it looks on anyone else but you.

Michelle Lee: Have you always been such a snazzy dresser? Even in high school?

Ben Harper: Are you kidding? No way. I was wearing Opie shorts and lightning-bolt shirts.

Michelle Lee: Do you look at old photos of yourself and laugh?

Ben Harper: Definitely. If you don't look back and cringe at yourself, you probably didn't have a healthy childhood. I don't know anyone who looks back at themselves and says, "Boy, I've always dressed really good."

Michelle Lee: I hear that. You know, 10 years from now, we'll be looking back at ourselves...

Ben Harper: ...going what a fucking mook. I hope not, though. I hope that will kind of level out. But I think style should be synonymous with growth. You don't want to wear anything out either. You've got to be growing and changing and looking to push your own style in different directions. Risk is a huge part of style.

Michelle Lee: In your "Steal My Kisses" video, you're all macked out with your white suit. How'd you feel in it?

Ben Harper: Oh, I was a different person. You're transformed by clothes. I loved it. The white suit's actually mine. It's Gucci. With the visor and all that. I've got the double-G shoes, because Gucci came out with that limited double G series where the print's like the old bags. The pants, the jacket, visor and the double G shoes -- it's the bomb. I had it in my closet and broke it out for the video.

Michelle Lee: It's beautiful. You're mostly known, though, for your fabulous taste in western shirts. Do you have a favorite?

Ben Harper: One is a two-tone corduroy western shirt from the late '60s. It's stunning and it's absolutely one of my favorites. It was a gift from a friend from New York. I've also got a butterfly western shirt done by Nudie.

Michelle Lee: Nudie?

Ben Harper: It's a '50s and '60s designer that crossed over from western to contemporary rock style. He did all those great Led Zeppelin suits. Nudie was his name. He's a legend. His suits are hard to come by. Very valuable.

Michelle Lee: So, how does one wear a western shirt?

Ben Harper: I've seen western shirts with the right pair of sneakers. I've seen them tucked in with snakeskin boots. That's the beauty: You can wear a western shirt with a white T-shirt tucked in and have the right belt and the belt sets off the shirt and the correct cut on the boot, and you're golden. It's simple, easy... and if you need to go to a restaurant, you can just button it up.

Michelle Lee: Do you have a favorite thrift store?

Ben Harper: Denim Doctor in LA. It's run by a guy named Sean. It's a great source; the guy is very knowledgeable. He keeps his eye open for you no matter who you are -- if you're the biggest celebrity in the world or just a cat off the street who likes western wear. He could look at your size and take a cue from what you like and he'll run with it.

Michelle Lee: What's the denim you're wearing right now?

Ben Harper: It's Go West. Japanese denim. They're the sickest denim out there. They wear the best and they have incredible lines. I've worn them for a year and a half without washing them once.

Michelle Lee: What do you mean? Do you dry clean them?

Ben Harper: No, no. It's a very scientific process. It's called turning them inside out and letting them air out for 24 hours.

Michelle Lee: Really? So you don't wash them -- ever?

Ben Harper: I'm sure this article will gross plenty of people out, but they just don't understand. That's what denim is for.

Michelle Lee: Uh, that's not gross at all (silent snicker). Tell me about Calico Kid.

Ben Harper: That's my shirt company. It's still in the infancy stage. I'm looking for representation, someone to partner up with as far as contacts go. We've made six prototypes that are en route for production, but I want to get the business details straight first. It'll be for both men and women. We want to do kids' stuff too, but not yet.

Michelle Lee: I heard it all started with a piece of fabric.

Ben Harper: Yeah, a friend of mine who works in fashion had a roll of this great material. I said, "I must have a shirt made of that material." She made it. I started wearing it and people started asking for it. We made a few more for them and then a few more people asked about them. It was stretch denim. You know those traditional bandanas that come in blue and red, like a floral pattern? It had a bandana feel to it and it was a dark stretch denim with a light blue floral pattern.

Michelle Lee: Nice. So, let's talk about your hair. Do you style it yourself?

Ben Harper: I'm good at coming up with ways to contain what is naturally an afro. Whether it's pulling it back into two braids, or parting it in the middle and pulling it back or just puffing it out. There's a great hair product line called Modern Organic Products (MOP). They make a great leave-in conditioner that doesn't mess up your scalp. It's organic, really healthy hair stuff. I get it from a beautician in the neighborhood. They make pear lotions and other cool stuff.

Michelle Lee: Are you into skincare stuff?

Ben Harper: Into it to the degree that I use it. You've got Kiehl's in New York. Kiehl's has all the good gear. I use rubbing alcohol for my face. It gets the grime off. I've got my mother's skin and have yet to find the perfect soap. There's an oatmeal soap by Neutrogena that's really good. I just let the steam open up the pores and then use a soft scrub and I'm good to go. I can't believe I'm telling you this!

Michelle Lee: Okay, okay, sorry to delve into your beauty routine. Token music question: Live album to be released in March?

Ben Harper: Yup, I'm so glad people are talking about that! It'll be a double live album. It's probably going to be a mix of the covers that we do like "Sexual Healing," and maybe "Manic Depression" by Jimi Hendrix. Maybe some "Whole Lotta Love." We're also going to mix it up with songs from all four records and maybe even a new song or two.

Michelle Lee: Ooh. I can't wait. So, I have to ask you: I just started playing guitar and my fingers are hurting like a bitch. Any suggestions?

Ben Harper: You've got to build your calluses. If you stick with it, they will stop hurting. I promise.

Michelle Lee: Any good hand products for guitar players?

Ben Harper: (laughs) Just any lotion I can steal from my hotel room.