Joe Purdy

Tue, May 16, 2017

Joe Purdy

with Elise Davis

About Joe Purdy:

Celebrated singer/songwriter J​oe Purdy i​s more aptly described as a troubadour—the term, as archaic as it may seem, refers moreover to the idea of a communicator of folklore through song-- one who travels and tells stories using the effective medium of music.  ​P​urdy understands that his own live music tradition has as much to do with commanding captivated, pin-drop silence as it does prompting roars - which it most definitely has - because in those hushed moments, a solemn and crystal-clear voice, the resonance of acoustic guitar strings into the reverberant din of a music hall, his stories are being heard. It is a pure experience. It’s about Joe and his audience.  

This direct communication with his fans has, year after year, album after album, translated from the stage to the further dissemination of his folklore. Purdy has chosen to release his albums on his own independent label, Mudtown Crier Records, and with the help of national TV placements and that constant conversation with a strong and ever- growing fan base, he has been able to sell a staggering 1 million direct track downloads in the US on iTunes without ever signing to a label.  Joe and those people, all over the country (and beyond) perpetually willing to hear his stories. 

Case in point, he released his 11th album ​4th of July ​on the 28th of June 2010 at four o’clock in the morning, because that’s when he finished it. 

Joe's writing process is heavily influenced by his environment. His albums act as a travel guide for his experiences. L​ast Clock On The Wall (2009) was recorded over 6 days  ​a​t Old Mill Studios, located in a 17th Century mill converted into a live arts theater in Strathaven, just outside of Glasgow, Scotland. T​ake My Blanket and Go (​2007) was recorded in NYC following a UK tour in 2006, Y​ou Can Tell Georgia (​2006) was recorded outside of London, immediately following a European tour with Tom McRae, while P​aris in the Morning (​2006) was recorded during a short visit to Paris a few months later. And, in contrast, C​anyon Joe (​2007) was recorded at his home in California, after being stranded in New Mexico during a blizzard over New Years Eve. 

Purdy’s last album, T​his American, ​is rich with imagery, haunting and utterly unique, filled with warm American folklore and real storytelling. Reflections of moving about underscore more of the ‘travelogue’ motif (“Highways,” “Oregon Trail”), through plaintive acoustic arrangements perfectly appropriate- with audible count-offs, unedited breaths, whistling, etc and melodies channeled through Purdy’s distinctive yearning voice. 

Adding to his arsenal, Purdy has been embraced by a broader audience through Prime Time network television. His song “Wash Away (Reprise)," from the J​ulie Blue album, was chosen by J.J. Abrams for an episode of Lost in its first season. S​hortly after, Joe’s, “I Love the Rain Most” (also off J​ulie Blue) ​ was featured in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, which led to “The City (Only Four Seasons)” being included in the show, as well as on the Grey’s Anatomy Season I soundtrack. 

Additionally, Purdy landed five more songs in Grey’s… episodes including "San Jose" (Take My Blanket and Go),” “Suitcase” (Only Four Seasons), “Can’t Get It Right Today” (You Can Tell Georgia), and "Rainy Day Lament" (Stomping Grounds), which was featured on an episode of House. “Can't Get It Right Today" was also featured in a national KIA ad, and “Wash Away (Reprise)” was very notably used in a Dawn Soap Wildlife ad, helping to raise a significant amount of money to rescue wildlife and the gulf spill clean up.

In 2016, Purdy will be heading into the studio to turn more of his experiences into what are sure to be thought-provoking and heart-tugging songs, and back out on the road to be the traveling troubadour for all his fans. As we have come to expect the unexpected with Joe Purdy - a new album (or two?) could be just a day away. 

About Elise Davis

Vulnerability and carnal desire go head-to-head on Elise Davis’ The Token  (Make The Kill Records & Thirty Tigers).

Story and storyteller are one and the same. “I really can’t express my vulnerable feelings – especially towards men I've had feelings about over the years,” Elise confesses, “But, I have no trouble writing down painfully honest lyrics about it.”

The Token puts a microscope on the southern dynamic between the sexes, and the Little Rock, AR native’s inner turmoil, founded on her life’s trajectory against a more traditional path. Elation and ache play a tug-of-war.

The album was produced by Sam Kassirer of Josh Ritter's band (who has also produced Ritter, Langhorne Slim, Lake Street Dive etc). It also features a great band with Josh Kaufman (Aaron & Brice Dessner of The National's collaborator for Day Of The Dead) on guitar, Bradley Cook (Sharon Van Etten) on bass, and Matt McCaughan (Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger) on drums.

The Token is a rare piece of art born of risk and actually sounding like a risk that paid off.  Elise Davis is putting her human condition in the forefront for all to hear; The Token delivers an unrelenting living contradiction, one born of her past while wrestling with the present.

The Token received coverage in Noisey, Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone Country, The Nashville Scene, American Songwriter, BULLETT, Elmore Magazine (95/100) and many more. 

"...proof that women are only really permitted to be angry or in love if they want to make it big in the industry. Instead, Davis writes songs about being in love, losing love, wanting and being wanted, and sometimes just wanting something casual." - Noisey/Vice Top Albums List of 2016

"Sounds like: Saturday night turning into a kiss-and-run Sunday morning, as sung by a suicide-blonde honkey tonk angel." - Rolling Stone

"Davis' style leads listeners through relational crises of the modern female." - Nashville Lifestyles

"A rich and highly personal sonic tapestry focusing on her path to the present, The Token is at the same time a steady rocking (“Benefits”), passionate (“The Token”) and honest (“Pretty Girl”) are bound to make an impression." - TIDAL Rising Editorial Feature

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Design Visual
  • Doors

    6:00 PM
  • Show

    8:00 PM
  • Price

    GA Standing Room

    $20 Advance

    $23 Day of Show

SHOWINGS

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