Joe Purdy - “Kristine”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…Joe Pug, Nathaniel Rateliff, Phosphorescent

Prolific folk artist Joe Purdy hasn’t released a proper solo record since 2016’s Who Will Be Next? (he did soundtrack and act in the film American Folk with Amber Rubarth last year), but a couple 2019 posts reference hitting the studio, so hopefully SXSW will be in conjunction with what would be his fifteenth (!) solo record. Purdy’s music is deeply rooted and consistent, minimal and emotional slices of Americana to match his naturally gritted vocals, but don’t be surprised to hear Purdy also go electric to keep things fresh with whatever comes next. (Kevin McStravick)

2011 Review: Joe Purdy is an acoustic music machine.  Releasing a dozen records over the course of the last decade, he’s an artist that takes some digging into to get a full scope of his sound.  Joe Purdy is a balladeer, a musical troubadour that is best heard live.  Most of his songs are sparse, acoustic numbers, but he does go out on a limb with an electric blues vibe on a couple of albums.  His songs seep with honesty.  I believe in what he’s singing regardless of the words due to the soul inflection in his voice.