Article Contributed by Big Hassle Media
Published on 2026-06-23
Photo Credit: Danielle Head
Iconoclastic American troubadour Pokey LaFarge has shared his irresistible new single, “The Thing,” available everywhere now via his own Boxer Boy Records. An official music video, directed by Jacob Butler (LA LOM, Paul Cauthen), premieres today on YouTube. “The Thing” marks the latest single and opening track from LaFarge’s eagerly awaited new album, Rent Money, arriving everywhere on Friday, September 11. Pre-orders/pre-saves are available now.
“The foundation of the record,” says Pokey LaFarge. “The first song written for the record and a positive retort to my own ‘F*** Me Up.’ A reminder that usually the one who craves to have more and more will usually be the most dissatisfied.”
Watch “The Thing” official music video
Produced by Elliot Bergman (Wild Belle, LA LOM, Natalie Bergman), Rent Money once again finds Pokey LaFarge deftly traversing the boundaries of genre, seamlessly integrating the myriad strains of 20th century American music — spanning, but not limited to, urban blues, primal rock ‘n’ roll, early jazz, ragtime, first wave reggae, boogie, gospel, and electric country funk — with a freewheeling command of earnest songcraft, inspired performance, and subversive creativity. The album sees the Illinois native pushing forward yet again in what can be safely declared his finest collection to date, impassioned and mature, both as no-nonsense social commentary and heartfelt expression of personal experience. Driven by twanging guitars, plucky rhythms, and undeniably captivating melodies, songs like “My Baby Loves Me” and the outspoken first single and title track, “Rent Money,” soar and swing, their joyous refrains belying the kitchen-table issues and inescapable undercurrent of constant worry that permeates these troubled times.
“People are always going to tell you what they think you should play,” says Pokey LaFarge, “what you should sing about, how you should sound, how you should look, how you should act. And I’ve always just been like, nah. Nope. I’ve just completely gone my own way, and hopefully I’ve been honest and authentic in the process.
“I’m just trying to make music that AI can’t replicate. Things are so homogenized right now. That’s what I’m really, really, really resistant to, especially when it comes to music. I’m not going to do it. I’m not going to conform.”
Watch “Rent Money” official music video
LaFarge will introduce fans old and new to Rent Money with an epic North American headline tour featuring full-band performances and solo shows beginning July 23 at Maquoketa, IA’s Codfish Hollow Barnstormers and then traveling the continent through a holiday season finale at Los Angeles, CA’s historic Lodge Room on December 19. For complete details and ticket information, please visit [www.pokeylafarge.net/tour](http://www.pokeylafarge.net/tour).
Pokey LaFarge - Rent Money
Boxer Boy Records
Release Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
Tracklist
1. “The Thing”
2. “My Baby Loves Me”
3. “Hambone”
4. “Rent Money”
5. “Stick Together”
6. “Work”
7. “Stranger”
8. “Can’t Take It With You”
9. “Told You No”
10. “Big Boss Man”
11. “On and On”
Pokey LaFarge On Tour 2026
July
July 23 - Maquoketa, IA - Codfish Hollow
July 24 - Berwyn, IL - FitzGerald’s Outdoors
July 25 - Muncie, IN - Muncie Three Trails Music Series
August
August 27 - Arundel, ME - Vinegar Hill Music Theatre *
August 28 - Plainfield, VT - The Creative Campus at Goddard *
August 30 - Falmouth, MA - Hermann Theater at Falmouth Academy *
September
September 11 - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre
September 12 - St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall
September 13 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s
September 15 - Madison, WI - Atwood Music Hall
September 16 - Kalamazoo, MI - Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
September 17 - Ferndale, MI - The Magic Bag
September 18 - Toronto, ON - The Concert Hall
September 19 - Ottawa, ON - City Folk Festival
September 20 - Homer, NY - Center for the Arts of Homer
September 22 - Ardmore, PA - Ardmore Music Hall
September 23 - Washington, DC - The Atlantis
September 25 - Cincinnati, OH - Ludlow Garage
September 26 - Pelham, TN - The Caverns
September 27 - Indianapolis, IN - HI-FI Indy
November
November 10 - Somerville, MA - Arts at The Armory
November 11 - Amherst, MA - The Drake Amherst
November 12 - New York, NY - Sony Hall
November 13 - Kingston, NY - Assembly
November 14 - Camden, ME - Camden Opera House
December
December 2 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
December 3 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line
December 4 - Omaha, NE - Waiting Room Lounge
December 5 - Denver, CO - The Gothic Theatre
December 6 - Fort Collins, CO - Washington’s
December 8 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Commonwealth Room
December 9 - Boise, ID - Shrine Social Club
December 11 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
December 12 - Vancouver, BC - Hollywood Theatre
December 13 - Seattle, WA - Neptune Theatre
December 15 - Sebastopol, CA - HopMonk Tavern
December 16 - San Francisco, CA - Bimbo’s 365 Club
December 17 - Felton, CA - Felton Music Hall
December 18 - Carlsbad, CA - NAMM Museum of Making Music
December 19 - Los Angeles, CA - Lodge Room
