Before last summer’s Winnipeg Folk Fest, I had never heard of the singer-songwriter Joe Pug. Grant and I were introduced to him at one of the first workshops we went to that weekend. We were just slightly fawning over Josh Ritter (ok, we were totally crushing on him) who was also in the workshop, but one of the breakouts was definitely Joe Pug.
Sitting on the stage, with his words and his guitar, he seemed very similar to Josh Ritter — a folk singer who writes incredibly earnest lyrics — but with a more country-stained sound. Pug’s voice sounded weary and worn out, and wise beyond his years. I was sure to remember his name.
My favourite song of his to date is “Hymn #101.” The poetry of his lyrics is amazing; this might be my favourite:
And I’ve come to meet the legendary takers/I’ve only come to ask them for a lot/Oh they say I come with less than I should rightfully possess/I say the more I buy the more I’m bought/And the more I’m bought the less I cost.
Wrap up his lyricism in a nice package of finger-picking and his world-weary voice, and this song just begs for repeated listens.
Pug has released an EP called Nation of Heat, and a full length album this past February called Messenger.
Amy Breen
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