American roots musician Pokey LaFarge played a sold out show at Paducah's Maiden Alley Cinema last week. Tracy Ross had a moment to chat with him before the performance about his love of baseball, his favorite music outside of the style he plays, favorite venues around the world and time zones. We also hear a couple songs from the evening's performance.
Songs featured are:
- "Knockin' The Dust Off The Rust Belt Tonight"
- "Something In The Water"
- "I Want To Be Your Man"
Pokey LaFarge has lived in St. Louis for several years now and says he's a huge baseball fan, describing his home as "a drinking town with a baseball problem." He was raised a Cubs fan in Illinois, but has become a Cardinals fan since moving to Missouri. He says he can't help but support the Cardinals and likes that the city comes together in support. Managing an appreciation for two rival teams makes him feel as though he has a bi-polar baseball disorder.
The music scene in St. Louis is flourishing and diverse, he says, but still "underground" because there aren't a lot of national acts touring and getting press. He describes them as 'best kept secrets.' Pokey LaFarge enjoys singing about the places he spends the most time in, recently writing about the Netherlands. He comes to Paducah often for the proximity and the vibe.
LaFarge says he's always been a fan of good rhythms and grooves, catchy melodies and memorable hooks. While his style is centered in American roots music with a modern twist, he's also developed a more contemporary taste too, rediscovering artists like Warren Zevon, Harry Nilsson and Leonard Cohen. He's also a fan of The Growlers and Cage the Elephant.
On touring in Europe, he says it's a great outlet for the refined, 'vintage-feel' of horns. His style of music tends to be embraced more by Europeans than Americans. Some of his favorite venues are Paradiso in Amsterdam, Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Red Rocks in Colorado.
His advice to a young artist: embrace the freedom of the current music scene, figure out what sets you apart and accentuate that.
