Culture
An American Artist in 2017: a Chitchat With Pokey LaFarge
By: Emily Votaw
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Pokey LaFarge is defiantly American.
From the music he pens (songs that sound like they were skillfully knotted together in the midst of the Prohibition,) to the clothing he wears (often muted, fitted, rarely missing a hat, and complete with pants that could only be described as “slacks,”) to the cadence of his speech (rolling, articulate, and artfully witty,) LaFarge could be described as a combination of blisteringly talented American greats such as Bill Monroe, Skip James, and Jack Kerouac.
WOUB’s Emily Votaw spoke with LaFarge about the virtues of Stuart’s Opera House’s Tim Peacock; the recording of his forthcoming May 19 Rounder Records release, Manic Revelations; and what it means to be an American artist in 2017.
The Illinois native will be performing an intimate backstage show at Ohio University’s Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium on Sunday, Feb. 11 as a part of a benefit for regional spinal muscular atrophy non-profit Adyn’s Dream. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information, visit Ohio University’s performing arts page.