stream Pokey LaFarge's new album 'Manic Revelations'

Pokey LaFarge Manic Revelations

Pokey LaFarge‘s new album Manic Revelations comes out this Friday (5/19) via Rounder Records, and we’re premiering a full stream of the album ahead of its release. Pokey’s early material stayed so true to old timey folk, to the point where even his album artwork and recording quality appeared to be from no later than 1955. For Manic Revelations, he’s taking his sound in slightly more modern directions. The recording is more polished, and the songs are fleshed out by a bold horn section that sooner recalls soul music (or the E Street Band) than old timey folk. Here’s what Pokey tells us about it:

You can feel the tension in this city. Always have. But you could feel it building. Then Ferguson happened. Next thing you know there’s uprisings spreading across the country and across the world. Opinions left and right. Up and down. TV, social media, radio, newspapers, magazines, and hell, just people talking. Everyone has something to say and now no one is holding back. Everyone’s voices are coming at you from all directions.

So I guess I let it drive me insane for awhile. Then I couldn’t help but write. I drove myself insane thinking, drinking, writing and re-writing. There became an added sense of desperation to everything I do. I’ve always been the underdog. but this time I’m gonna fight like I’ve never fought before.

Myself and a lot of people I know in this city feel it is a bellwether town and if we can improve things here in St. Louis than we can improve similar cities like Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, and more. Some days we feel like we can change the country for the better. Again, we’re underdogs here in the Midwest. Born and raised. Flown over and driven past. No one will help us but ourselves.

Listen to the album below.

Pokey is also touring this year, including NYC shows on July 12 at Bowery Ballroom with The Deslondes (tickets) and July 13 at Rough Trade with Kelsey Waldon (tickets). All dates are listed below.

Pokey LaFarge — 2017 Tour Dates
May 20 /// St. Louis, MO /// The Pageant
June 15 /// Minneapolis, MN /// First Avenue
June 16 /// Chicago, IL /// Metro
June 17 /// Detroit, MI /// Magic Stick
June 18 /// Grand Rapids, MI /// Pyramid Scheme
June 21 /// Indianapolis, IN /// The Vogue
June 22 /// Nashville, TN /// Mercy Lounge
June 23 /// Hamilton, OH /// RiversEdge Amphitheater
June 24 /// Owensboro, KY /// ROMP: Bluegrass Roots & Branches Festival
June 25 /// Asheville, NC /// The Grey Eagle
June 30 /// Cleveland, OH /// Beachland Ballroom
July 1 /// Pittsburgh, PA /// The Rex Theatre
July 2 /// Toronto, ON, Canada /// Horseshoe Tavern
July 6 /// Ottawa, ON, Canada /// RBC Blues Ottawa Festival
July 7 /// Burlington, VT /// Higher Ground
July 8 /// Cambridge, MA /// The Sinclair
July 12 /// New York, NY /// Bowery Ballroom
July 13 /// Brooklyn, NY /// Rough Trade NYC
July 14 /// Philadelphia, PA /// World Cafe Live Downstairs
July 15 /// Greenfield, MA /// Green River Festival
July 16 /// Mt. Solon, VA /// Red Wing Roots Festival @ Natural Chimneys Park
August 4 /// Wichita, KS /// Wichita Vortex Music Festival*

* – appearing with Dwight Yoakam