The White Belt is the first in our occasional split 7” series. “Anita” by St. Louis, Mo., based roots singer Pokey LaFarge. “Lately At A Lesser Table” was written and recorded in Louisville, Ky., by Joe Manning (King’s Daughters & Sons, Joan Shelley & the June Brides). Both artists bring a unique symmetry to this belt, each celebrating their own brand of old-world classicism shot through with youthful, literary vitality. Limited to 500 copies and no download, the single is pressed on white vinyl and housed in a custom matchbook jacket by Dexterity Press. Order The White Belt.
About Pokey LaFarge:
Pokey LaFarge is a musician, songwriter, bandleader, entertainer, innovator and preservationist, whose well-rounded arsenal of talents has placed him at the forefront of American music. Over the last decade, Pokey has won the hearts of music lovers across the globe with his creative mix of early jazz, string ragtime, country blues and western swing, all while writing songs that ring true and fine in both spirit and sound. His music transcends the confines of genre, continually challenging the notion that tradition-bearers fail to push musical boundaries. Cleverly striding between numerous forms of traditional American music, Pokey has crafted a genre all his own, marked in its accessible ingenuity.
Rather than merely conjuring up half-forgotten imagery of days past, Pokey is a lyrical storyteller, the plotdelivered smoothly through his dynamic vocals. One moment he shouts a line and the next he croons above his archtop guitar, backed by an often ornate, acoustic instrumentation that allows for nothing less than masterful instrumental skill. Both on stage and off, Pokey’s effortless wit and approachable demeanor never fails to charm audiences, giving way to a live music experience that manages to be grandiose and unassuming all at once. Born in the heartland of America and based in St. Louis, Mo., Pokey’s Midwestern appeal and infallible charisma welcomes his audiences with open arms.
In the past year alone, he was honored with a second consecutive Best Americana Album win by the Independent Music Awards for Middle of Everywhere, joined Vince Giordano for a track featured on an episode of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and recorded alongside Jack White on his album Blunderbuss. Pokey’s 2012 tour trail (consisting of nearly 200 shows) included two visits to Europe, performances at several of the largest and most renowned folk festivals in Canada, and appearances at clubs and festivals scattered across America. As an opening act for Jack White’s Blunderbuss tour, Pokey delighted sold out crowds at Red Rocks Amphitheater and Radio City Music Hall, among other prominent venues in America and Canada. In addition to opening for Mr. White, Pokey has played with the likes of The Raconteurs, Nils Lofgren, Southern Culture on the Skids, Wanda Jackson, and most recently at the historic Ryman Auditorium with Old Crow Medicine Show.
Pokey’s career has not slowed in momentum since it began with his first release Marmalade (2007). Shortly followed by Beat, Move and Shake (2008) and Riverboat Soul (2010), Pokey quickly graduated from breakthrough artist to leading musical figure, receiving an Independent Music Award for Riverboat Soul and continued praise from NPR Music and Billboard Magazine, among other reputable critics. His forthcoming full-length album, due out in 2013, is in production with help from Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show. Pokey LaFarge is on a mission, encouraging audiences worldwide to think differently about what it means to celebrate musical traditions. Simply put, Pokey explains, “It’s not retro music. It’s American music that never died.” (Credit: www.pokeylafarge.net)
Pokey LaFarge Official Site | Twitter | Facebook
About Joe Manning:
Joe Manning has lived in Louisville for most of his 32 years and would lay down in traffic for this town. He writes a bi-monthly opinion column for LEO weekly called “Raised Relief” in which he surveys, with one good eye, all things great and small. Joe Manning writes songs solo in the hitherto marginalized genre “creepy country” and is also a founding member of the band King’s Daughters & Sons.
Joe Manning | MySpace | King’s Daughters & Sons Official Site
