Turns out “The Thing” is the perfect leadoff track to Pokey LaFarge’s forthcoming LP. Rent Money (Boxer Boy) is an album replete with normal folks facing economic hurtles, personal struggles and the perils of modern life. LaFarge has no doubt seen his share of all the above. But these days, the once-itinerant, Illinois-raised singer/songwriter has found grounding in Maine, where he’s taken up farming and is set to celebrate his third wedding anniversary with singer Addie Hamilton.
In fact, the first line of LaFarge’s latest single may be the most telling: “It’s a long way to the top of the world, but I found out it’s only a short fall back down.”
Says LaFarge, “When you find out that not all that glitters is gold, when are you going to turn in another direction? Where are you gonna go? For me, it was toward Jesus, who satisfies here and in the forever after.”
For more than two decades, LaFarge has followed his own winding path as he’s drawn liberally and reverentially from the American songbook. Produced by Elliot Bergman (Wild Belle, LA LOM, Natalie Bergman), his 12th album traverses yet another rich landscape, from country/blues, jazz and ragtime to gospel, reggae and early rock ’n’ roll. As always, honesty—artistic and otherwise—remains one of LaFarge’s greatest strengths. And it’s all over Rent Money.
“People are always going to tell you what they think you should play, what you should sing about, how you should sound, how you should look, how you should act,” says LaFarge. “I’ve always just been like, ‘Nah. Nope.’”
We’re proud to premiere Pokey LaFarge’s “The Thing.” Rent Money arrives September 11.
—Hobart Rowland
