Tell us about yourselves and what you do?
Pokey LaFarge. I come from St. Louis, MO, U.S.A and play a mixture of Ragtime-Blues, Country Swing and Hokum. I'm a writer, penning most of the tunes, a singer and guitarist. I also play a little tenor banjo and mandolin. Along with my band the South City Three (Ryan: Harmonica, vocals, washboard. Joey: Upright Bass and Adam Hoskins: Guitar; slide guitar) we travel around the world playing American music. Over 200 shows a year each of the last three years.
How did you get together?
Back in 2005 I was living in Asheville, North Carolina. I was playing on the street for a living. They were touring with another band at the time and while they were walking round downtown before a show or something they heard me playing on the street. We kept in contact and the rest was history.
What is your current release?
My current release is our CD and LP 'Middle of Everywhere', on Freedirt Records, in the U.S.A and Continental Records in E.U/U.K. Future releases TBD but I tell you there are couple ready to go. I think we'll be releasing a 78rpm recording shortly. Get your record players dusted off, is all I can say.
What is the best part of being in a band/singer/song writer?
Working hard at finding the words to sing something that you've wanted to say for years. The best things are sitting at home writing and working out songs and then ultimately performing said songs and them getting people going. I love performing.
What is your most significant moment yet?
From a musical standpoint I’d say joining up with the South City Three. From a professional standpoint I'd say playing this past Jools Holland 'Hootenanny' on NYE.
What are your biggest musical influences?
Milton Brown & his Musical Brownies-TX- The REAL king of Western Swing
Jimmie Rodgers-MS
Bill Monroe-KY
Dixieland Jug Blowers-KY
Roy Newman & his Boys-TX
Emmett Miller-GA (Eddie Lang on guitar)-GA-the most under rated singer of all time
Shelley Lee Alley and his Alley Cats-TX
Modern Mountaineers-TX
Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys-TX
Johnny Dodds & his Chicago Boys (he’s got Teddy Bunn on guitar)-Chi-town by way of NOLA
Sidney Bechet (especially the ones with Teddy Bunn on guitar and Charlie Shavers on Trumpet) NOLA
Fats Waller-great songwriter (Especially the ones with Al Casey on guitar) NYC
Mound City Blue Blowers-STL represent!
Gene Rodemich-STL represent!
Robert Wilkins-TN
Frank Stokes-TN
Henry Townsend-STL represent!
Sleepy John Estes-TN
Memphis Jug Band-TN
6 7/8’s String Band-NOLA
Hoagie Carmichael-IN Great songwriter/midwest represent!
Leroy Carr-IN-Amazing voice- midwest represent!
Big Bill Broonzy- MS or AR- the complete bluesman. The best!
Jelly Roll Morton-NOLA
Hank Penny-AL
Delmore Bros.-AL
Curley Williams & his Georgia Peach Pickers-AL/GA
Hi-Fliers-TX
Bill Boyd & Cowboy Ramblers-OK/TX
Jimmie Revard & his Oklahoma Playboys-OK/TX
Modern
Capt. Jeff & his Musical Chumbuckets
Sweet Hollywians
Tuba Skinny- NOLA
Rum Drum Ramblers-STL (Ryan and Joey’s other band)
The Hot Seats-VA
California Honeydrops-CA
The Wiyos-NYC
Del McCoury Band-TN/PA
Blind Boy Paxton-NYC
Frank Fairfield-CA
Red Stick Ramblers-Baton Rouge, LA
Hackensaw Boys-VA
What venue/gig do you most want to play?
My favourite gig that I have played was a sold out show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN opening up The Raconteurs and a close second was playing Newport Folk Festival the last two years.
If you're asking for ones yet to play I'd say then that I look forward to someday playing every country in Europe.
What is your favourite song you have written?
Still yet to have written my favourite song.
What’s your favourite album of this year?
J.D. McPherson. 'Signs and Signifiers'
What does the next six months have in store for you?
Well we're kind of catching some R & R right now. Few regional gigs around the midwest in February. Then 7 weeks and 10 countries in Europe mid March through Mid May. Recording a new album. A lot of festivals around North America in the summer. Then a lot of touring around the states through the end of the year.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
If I'm still alive I'll be 38yrs old! I'm praying that I'll still be healthy and performing to the best of my being.
What’s the best thing about Americana-UK?
You take time to talk to little guys like us cause after all it's ALL about the music or the music is what it's all about. Which ever you prefer.
