Text/Photos by Lizz Kannenberg
The Artist: Chicago’s stunning young balladeer can turn a beer-soaked 6th Street club into a pin drop-ready sanctuary.
His Latest Release: Nation of Heat (self-released, 2008)
The Set in a Few Sentences: Joe Pug may be a singer/songwriter, but this isn’t background music for your morning latte. The 24-year-old Pug, a former playwright, is the kind of lyricist who tells an entire life’s story in a single line. His gutsy, grainy voice and unabashedly aggressive handling of guitar and harmonica are as unapologetic and striking as those of another certain young American songwriter a generation ago.
And a Letter Grade: A
More photos and a trio of free MP3s after the jump …
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Joe Pug, “Call It What You Will”
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Joe Pug, “Hymn 101″
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Joe Pug, “Nation of Heat”
4 Responses to “SXSW SPOTLIGHT: Joe Pug @ “Stimulus Package” Party, Paradise, 3.18.09”
Heck yes! Joe is one of the most genuine and fun people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. It’s great to see him on the road to success. Go Joe!
Holy cow – I had no idea Joe was a musician…let alone such an amazing one. I thought he was just a funny-ass improvisor from Chapel Hill. I need to pay better attention.
You ain’t heard nothing yet. He has so much more music that’s worth a listen. I’m betting most of you are too young to remember Bob Dylan in his heyday, but no worries — you’ve got Joe.
i just hope that the economy would recover very soon because of the Stimulus Package given by the government.