Rhumba Country, the forthcoming album from Pokey LaFarge, goes boldly where no prior Pokey LaFarge album has ever gone: pure, unmediated joy. Having built his career on the anachronistic sounds of ragtime and traditionalist takes on Americana, rock, and R&B, the Midwestern songwriter has also leaned into the longing inherent to each of those genres’ lyrics. “There was a time when I glorified sadness because I lost sight of who I was,” LaFarge shared when the new project was revealed, “but now I understand that creating and expressing joy is my gift, and gifts are meant to be shared.”
He’ll be sharing that gift on May 10 when the record arrives, though he gave audiences a preview of it last month at Boise, Idaho’s Treefort Festival where his band performed. Before heading back home, the sextet set up on the banks of the Boise River to film a truncated version of their set for “Neighborhoods,” with the group performing the upbeat tracks “One You, One Me” and “Run Run Run” from the new LP with LaFarge backed by the unconventional mix of double bass, coronet, miniature keyboard, shakers, and backing vocals from his wife, songwriter Addie Hamilton. Check out their performance below.
