It’s been six years since Pokey LaFarge the smooth-talking, vintage-loving Illinois native graced Australia’s shores. A lot’s changed since 2019, but now, he’s back with Rhumba Country (2024, New West Records), his boldest, most eclectic album to date, promising Aussie fans a night of music that blends old-time charm with bold new experiments.
Born Andrew Heissler in Bloomington, Illinois, Pokey got his nickname as a kid when his mother would urge him to stop dawdling. But there’s nothing sluggish about him now. After years of crisscrossing the States in search of a home, LaFarge found refuge in Mid-Coast Maine, working 12-hour days on a local farm. It’s here that he found his creative spark, tapping into a deeper purpose that would shape his next chapter.
The result is Rhumba Country—an album born out of grit, growth, and long days under the sun. Drawing inspiration from global rhythms, vintage country, jazz, and Latin-tinged sounds, LaFarge has crafted a kaleidoscopic celebration of life and love. His signature throwback style is still there, but with a bold twist, as if the ghosts of bygone eras met modern sensibilities in a late-night jam session.
With his trusty guitar and soulful charm, LaFarge’s 2025 tour promises a mix of nostalgic ballads, jubilant romps, and fresh material that highlights his artistic rebirth.
POKEY LAFARGE AND HIS BAND
MAY
8 – The Croxton, Melbourne, VIC
9 – Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads, VIC
10 – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan, VIC
13 – Princess Theatre, Brisbane, QLD
14 – A & I Hall, Bangalow, NSW
15 – Liberty Hall, Sydney, NSW
16 – The Gov, Adelaide, SA
17 – Freo Social, Perth, WA
Tickets HERE.
