9 Questions to Newport: Pokey LaFarge
Pokey LaFarge is a curator of a fine art. That fine art is the music that came a bit before our time. Music that has the power to transport a person and move them wholey. Jazz, country, swing, blues all make their way into his sound and its a damn good sound at that. As a man and performer changing the way we look at and listen to American roots music, I am particularly excited to see him this summer at the Fort. Check out his answers to 9 Questions to Newport and get to know this era-innovating and blending gent further…
1) For the fine folks who may not be as familiar with your work, how would you sum up your sound in a short phrase?
PL: Acoustic-rooted, horn-accentuated, lyric and melody driven Midwestern swing. American music for the ages!
2) What projects are you currently working on or have you recently released?
PL: In terms of studio work, I’m in and out these days, working to get my new material ready to record. I’m really excited about the new stuff – it’s really going to be an evolution for me. Not that I’m straying too far from my sound, but in terms of production, songwriting and instrumentation. I can’t wait for folks to hear it.
3) Newport Folk is celebrated for its collaborations, community and bringing folks together for a weekend where they may not see each other otherwise. How do you feel about that preservation of unity and family sentiment in the folk music community? How does it play into your own music and where you come from? Is there a “scene” or community that you feel especially attached to?
PL: Newport is a model for crossover festivals, most definitely. I think they do a fine job of booking acts that draw out a diverse crowd, but one with a sort of fundamentally similar outlook. This is our third time playing Newport and the first two were incredible, just a great, supportive atmosphere from the crowd. As far as that relating to my music, sure – I’m working to preserve and evolve certain musical traditions, and with that comes preserving other aspects of entertainment and socializing. I like to think this kind of music brings people together in a way some forms don’t.
4) Favorite OR least favorite/most embarrassing moment on stage from your career? Amazing experience playing to a solid out crowd or tripping off stage and falling into the crowd…either works!
PL: Well, I remember one time I went out to the stage to start a show in Cincy. I started the band off and started strumming my guitar, meanwhile no sound was coming out through the PA. It took me half the song to realize my guitar wasn’t plugged in.
5) If you could collaborate with anyone (dead or alive) musically, who would it be?
PL: Dead: Jimmie Rodgers, Johnny Mercer or Lefty Frizzell
Alive: Leon Redbone, Randy Travis, Bob Dylan or Tom Waits
6) 1 record that shaped you when you first started playing and 1 record or artists that you are now/are listening to now that you think folks really need to hear about?
PL: Kentucky Colonels and Danyel Waro
7) So, why is creating music important to you? Why do you hit the stage night after night, pull out the old song notebook every day, or whatever else you do to let loose your creativity?
PL: It’s in my blood, as cliché as that might sound. I spent time busking from town to town when I was getting started, and I knew if I could live that life and be happy sharing music at that level, I could make a go at it and have a career. Performing in front of a live audience breathes life into me and I can’t imagine doing anything else to make a living. Sure, traveling as much as we do can be exhausting, but it’s well worth it to me. It’s an incredible thing to connect with audiences and meet people across the world who are moved by my music. When what we’re doing on stage is able to lift people’s spirits, that’s the most rewarding feeling.
8) Aside from music, do you have any other pastimes? What would you want people to know about you aside from your musical endeavors?
PL: Sure – I’m a huge baseball fan for one. I keep tabs on that quite well and catch a game whenever possible. When I have time on the road, I also read quite a bit.
9) Anything else you want to plug or we should know?
PL: Well, just last week we announced a real special tour I’ll be going out on in the Midwest this September – The Central Time Tour. It’s sort of a package or revue tour with a master of ceremonies (the wonderfully talented Dom Flemons, in fact) and a few other great bands – The Tillers, Joel Savoy, Jesse Lege and the Cajun Country Revival, and Loot Rock Gang. We’re going out September 10. 13 shows, 13 cities – keeping it real Midwestern. It’s going to be different than any tour I’ve ever set out on. I can’t wait for folks to see it!
