Monday, 9 May 2011

Antifolk legend Jeffrey Lewis plays an exclusive solo gig at the Trades Club as his only UK show before he returns for an autumn tour.

Described by Jarvis Cocker as 'the best lyricist working in the US today', Lewis returns to the Trades Club on Wednesday May 11th hailed as the undisputed leader of the antifolk movement being the key player at New York's Sidewalk Cafe where it was born.

He is a prolific songwriter with his output defining the antifolk style - downbeat self-deprecating humour, an off-kilter singing style, a mixture of acoustic and 'punk' songs which feature themes of everyday occurrences and feelings.

"I think it's a cool title. The fact that no one knows what it means, including me, makes it kind of mysterious and more interesting than saying that you're a singer/songwriter or that you play indie rock,' says Lewis.

Growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhatten his songs are also highly informed by his home surroundings, with songs name-dropping places such as Williamsburg, the FDR Drive and the East River.

After being to Rough Trade in 2001, Jeffrey Lewis released his first official album The Last Time I did Acid I Went Insane and in 2007, released 12 Crass Songs, an album consisting entirely of songs written by the anarcho-pacifist British punk band Crass, reworked to match his antifolk style.

This gig is a one-off acoustic show that will feature some new songs from the album Jeffrey Lewis is working on.

"Jeffrey's antifolk ethos is a perfect fit for the Trades which is why his last gig sold out so early booking is advised for what is an exclusive show because he loved the audience here," Trades Club spokesperson Paul Clarke told the Hebden Bridge Web.