SINGER, SONGWRITER, comic book creator, visual artist, and storyteller, Jeffrey Lewis is both a product of the New York counter culture and indie rock’s renaissance man.
Jeffrey began recording and releasing his own music in the late 1990s via cassette, before signing with Rough Trade and releasing his debut proper in 2001, The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane. This was the start of a run of excellent albums (2009’s ‘Em Are I in particular ) - both solo and collaborative - which have embraced folk, country, indie-rock, psychedelia, and punk, with a quirky, infectious, melodic sense.
Jeffrey is an also gifted lyricist, whose narrative style encompasses absurdist humour, social commentary, personal reflections (often with a self-deprecating humour ), and witticisms. Galway will be able to enjoy all this when the New Yorker comes to the Róisín Dubh on Wednesday August 27 at 9pm. In the meantime, enjoy this selection of some of Jeffrey’s finest songs:
‘Cult Boyfriend’
The joy of having a ‘select appeal’ is dealt with wittily, and often hilariously on this track from 2011’s A Turn In The Dream Songs.
‘If Life Exists’
“Now I have a girlfriend and I wish I was more happy/Now I have two girlfriends and I wish I was more happy...” Jeffrey finds that even in the midst of plenty, some people are just never satisfied!
‘To Be Objectified’
A rumination on existence where Jeffrey wonders if going bald is “the most manly thing I’ll ever do”. This video also features Jeffrey’s illustrations and animations.
‘Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror’
Featuring banjo and violin, the country-folk fantasia has Jeffrey getting more than he bargained for when he meets Will Oldham (AKA Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy ).
‘Posters’
One of the artist’s earlier songs, this has a harder, tougher sound, influenced by NY punk.
Tickets are available at www.roisindubh.net, the Ticket Desk at OMG Zhivago, Shop Street, and The Róisín Dubh.