Pokey LaFarge brings old-school style, sound to new generation

Pokey LaFarge performs Thursday at South on Main.
Pokey LaFarge performs Thursday at South on Main.

American roots artist Pokey LaFarge is a bit of an anomaly in the music industry. While most artists are seeking to push the boundaries of sound, looking to find that “next big thing” in music that’ll propel them to the top of the charts and change the scene forever, LaFarge is more interested in looking back in time.

Rather than making overly processed noises set over preprogrammed drum beats concocted by a machine, and heavily auto-tuning vocals to the point that even an unintended sneeze sounds like the musings of a Greek goddess, LaFarge strips it back down to the bare-bone essentials and makes music that is genuine and pleasant.

The 32-year-old songwriter was born Andrew Heissler in Bloomington, Illinois, but adopted the stage name “Pokey,” thanks to his mother, who would call him this whenever he would drag his heels during times of haste.

LaFarge was introduced to music because of his grandfather, who bought LaFarge his first guitar when he was 15 years old. Next came a mandolin at the age of 17, an instrument that is integral in much of the bluegrass, roots and folk music he excels at creating.

As unique as his sound is, LaFarge doesn’t see it that way. Perhaps his modesty outweighs his sense of what his music represents, but he certainly doesn’t see it as an intentionally standout sound.

“Most music is created naturally in the pursuit of what we ourselves would want to listen to,” LaFarge says in an email interview. “It’s nothing too intentional.”

It’s painfully obvious, however, that LaFarge is seeking to do something outside of the ordinary, and his style — which harkens back to a bygone era, as well — is another indication of this.

Sporting the styles of the ’30s and ’40s, LaFarge is regularly decked out in classy duds, including suspenders, straw hats, wing-tipped shoes, fancy western button-ups, bow ties, kipper ties, sport coats, cardigans — the list goes on and on.

LaFarge sees his stylings as just another extension of his personality, creativity and another way to express himself to the world. Whether there’s more to his style than just expressing himself, one thing’s for certain: He looks damn dapper in whatever he wears.

His music has hit a chord with the heartland of America, allowing him to hit high numbers on multiple charts, including the Billboard Folk Albums, Heatseekers and even Country Albums charts. After releasing his self-titled album on Jack White’s Third Man Records in 2013, LaFarge decided to leave the label as a “creative decision.” He’s now on another Nashville, Tennessee-based record label, Rounder Records, which helped him release his latest effort, Something in the Water.

LaFarge considers this album different than his past releases, citing a tonal difference in both the instrumentation and the vocals.

“While we were recording it, I kept thinking, ‘Hey, we’re really onto something here,’” declares LaFarge in his website biography.

The album, and LaFarge’s music overall, seems to have certainly struck a chord with his fans, leading to a sold-out show at Little Rock’s own South on Main. The show, which begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, will hopefully be one of his best.

“We’ll be playing some old tunes and some songs off the new album,” LaFarge says. “I’ll be playing with a seven-piece band that night, and hopefully the show is the best one we can possibly play.”

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