Americana musician Pokey LaFarge found home for the first time in Maine

ROCKLAND — Pokey LaFarge, the Americana singer‑songwriter who built a reputation for vintage‑style musicianship and a penchant for handcrafted beauty, has found a new home on the Maine coast—and a fresh sound to match.

LaFarge, 43, whose birth name is Andrew Heissler, moved to the Midcoast with his wife, Addie Hamilton, and their infant daughter in early 2022 after Hamilton told him she had fallen in love with the state. The couple, who reunited in 2021, settled near Rockland, where LaFarge can often be found at local venues such as Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery.

The move marks a turning point for the Illinois native, who spent the late 2000s and early 2010s in St. Louis. There he won back‑to‑back Independent Music Awards for Best Americana Album in 2010 and 2011, vaulting him from obscurity to a recognized name in the genre. Yet the rise came with a personal cost. LaFarge later described a period of excess and internal struggle that culminated in a dramatic moment on Jan. 12, 2019, while on the California coast. After a breakup, he asked God for a sign and, he said, a rainbow appeared—prompting him to embrace Christianity and reorient his life.

“I’m a freak everywhere I go, man. I stand out. I’m different,” LaFarge told an audience at the Waldo Theater in Waldoboro earlier this year, a comment that captures both his outsider outlook and his willingness to wear his heart on his sleeve.

That willingness is evident in his upcoming album, “Rent Money,” set for release on Sept. 11. The 11‑track collection blends bluegrass, folk and Americana, weaving biblical imagery with sharp observations about work, landlords and modern consumption. The title track rails against the landlord as “a taker,” repeating the refrain, “The good Lord giveth, the landlord taketh away.” Another song, “The Thing,” hints at past excesses, while the bulk of the record explores what LaFarge calls a “repudiation of consumption” and a celebration of honest labor.

LaFarge’s wife contributes vocals on all but three songs, lending a collaborative warmth to the project. “My stance in music is 100% not to be divisive,” he explained. “Not that I’m necessarily not going to speak the truth, but I’m going to do it poetically.”

The album also marks a clear break from his 2020 release, “Rock Bottom Rhapsody.” That record featured the profanity‑laden track “F— Me Up,” which LaFarge now regrets. “So stupid. Ruined a good song,” he said, shaking his head. He no longer performs the song live, noting its message no longer aligns with his values or his family life.

LaFarge’s journey toward a more grounded existence is reflected in his everyday style as well. He favors a vintage aesthetic—tortoise‑shell spectacles, pressed wool trousers, pocket squares and polished loafers—that mirrors his admiration for craftsmanship. “Craftsmen, architecture, food that they grow, clothes that they make, music that they make—it’s just beautiful,” he said, describing a philosophy that extends beyond music into daily living.

The artist’s recent performance at the Waldo Theater showcased both his new material and a reinterpretation of his 2015 song “Something in the Water.” He altered the closing lyric to “I don’t need that woman anymore,” a change he said reflects his current contentment. The audience, many of whom had followed his career for years, responded with enthusiastic applause.

LaFarge’s commitment to his craft remains undiminished despite the quieter pace of Midcoast life. “I can find inspiration if they put me in solitary confinement,” he quipped, underscoring his belief that creativity can flourish anywhere.

On the road, LaFarge continues to draw crowds across the country. His nationwide tour, which began July 23, includes two Maine stops: an Aug. 27 show at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre in Arundel (53 Old Post Road, tickets $35‑$50) and a Nov. 14 performance at the Camden Opera House (29 Elm St., tickets $38‑$45). Both events will feature selections from “Rent Money” as well as older favorites.

Reflecting on his transformation, LaFarge has spoken openly about leaving behind the “sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll” lifestyle. In a 2024 social media post he wrote, “The lifestyle of ‘sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll’ kills people. As a person who overcame the lies of ‘sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll’, I say—‘long live Life, Love, and Rock ’n’ Roll.’”

For now, LaFarge is focused on his family, his music and the simple pleasures of life in Maine. With “Rent Money” poised to resonate with listeners seeking authentic storytelling, he appears ready to write the next chapter on his own terms.