The American singer/guitarist/artist Michael Hurley , known by friends as the Snock, Hi-Fi Snock, and Elwood Snock, has resided at the outer realms of the folk music scene for over 40 years. Hurley’s debut album, "First Songs", was recorded for Folkways Records in 1965 on the same reel-to-reel machine that taped Lead Belly’s Last Sessions.
In 1976, along with Peter Stampfel, Jeffrey Frederick and others, he recorded the album "Have Moicy". This record combined the whacked-out sensibilities of Frederick and the Holy Modal Rounders with Hurley’s left-of-center approach, to create a progressive folk classic. Hurley completed four songs for the album, the “Slurf Song,” “Fooey Fooey,” “Sweet Lucy,” and “Driving Wheel,” and painted the album cover. “Every time I listen to it, it sounds more together,” Hurley told Popwatch. “It sounds like a bunch of loonies, too.” The album was critically praised, landing recommendations for Album of the Year by The Village Voice and Top 20 LPs of the '70s by Rolling Stone.
Reviews and newspaper biographies of Hurley have often noted that he is less well-known than he should be, but Hurley has seemed relatively unconcerned about his lack of success. “I don’t think I really had a 'career' to lose." Hurley has continued to record, and his reputation has grown in recent years due to the championing of his work by younger artists including Lucinda Williams, Smog, Yo La Tengo, and Cat Power - who has herself recorded some of his compositions. He has also recorded for Devandra Banhart's label Gnomonsong, and will be appearing at the famous Newport Folk Festival later this year.
Guests on the night will be The Rough Deal String Band, one of Dublin's best loved old- timey bands, who are reuniting specially for the event.They have supported Hurley before on tours ofIreland and the U.K. and have also guested on his 2003 album Down In Dublin.
Tickets €15 from www.tickets.ie
In 1976, along with Peter Stampfel, Jeffrey Frederick and others, he recorded the album "Have Moicy". This record combined the whacked-out sensibilities of Frederick and the Holy Modal Rounders with Hurley’s left-of-center approach, to create a progressive folk classic. Hurley completed four songs for the album, the “Slurf Song,” “Fooey Fooey,” “Sweet Lucy,” and “Driving Wheel,” and painted the album cover. “Every time I listen to it, it sounds more together,” Hurley told Popwatch. “It sounds like a bunch of loonies, too.” The album was critically praised, landing recommendations for Album of the Year by The Village Voice and Top 20 LPs of the '70s by Rolling Stone.
Reviews and newspaper biographies of Hurley have often noted that he is less well-known than he should be, but Hurley has seemed relatively unconcerned about his lack of success. “I don’t think I really had a 'career' to lose." Hurley has continued to record, and his reputation has grown in recent years due to the championing of his work by younger artists including Lucinda Williams, Smog, Yo La Tengo, and Cat Power - who has herself recorded some of his compositions. He has also recorded for Devandra Banhart's label Gnomonsong, and will be appearing at the famous Newport Folk Festival later this year.
Guests on the night will be The Rough Deal String Band, one of Dublin's best loved old- timey bands, who are reuniting specially for the event.They have supported Hurley before on tours ofIreland and the U.K. and have also guested on his 2003 album Down In Dublin.
Tickets €15 from www.tickets.ie
