Pioneer of the Canadian punk rock fast folk movement, Eugene Ripper is coming to York on Saturday Nov 18 to perform at The FortyFive Vinyl Café (29 Micklegate) and promote his electrifying new single “Folk Song 3000” .
The new single in steeped in the rich heritage of folk music infused with a contemporary twist, these tracks showcase Ripper’s distinctive song writing and musical prowess.
Ripper’s artistic journey and story behind this song took an inspiring turn after a memorable conversation with legendary New York City folk artist Dave Van Ronk. Ripper was just beginning his solo career and delving into the craft of song writing. He looked to create a fresh approach as he experimented with old public domain folk tunes.
“For me, at the time, this approach was pure creative instinct. So given this opportunity – chatting with an American folk legend in a casual setting, I asked him if this was cool – working material like this… after all, this dude had knocked around Greenwich Village with the likes of Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie. If anybody would know the score – he would,” says Ripper.
After chatting in the lounge of a folk festival, Van Ronk’s response became a guiding light for Ripper’s artistic journey. With that wisdom from the Greenwich Village legend in mind, Ripper set out on a path as a solo artist.
“Folk Song 3000” exemplifies this artistic direction as a genre blending masterpiece featuring a classic New York trip-hop beat, Americana acoustic guitar licks, and vibrant Latin percussion. The lyrics pay homage to the tradition of folk storytelling while brilliantly updating it to a modern context.
Ripper is a trailblazer in Canada’s punk folk scene. From his early days with Canada’s first-wave surf punk rockers in the band Stark Naked and the Fleshtones to his enduring solo career, Ripper has been a master of blending punk, folk, blues, rockabilly, and rock into a signature musical sound.
Celebrated for his poignant song writing and a unique sound imbued with a DIY punk rock ethos, Ripper’s musical journey has seen him flourish from the Toronto punk scene to the muddy roots of Vancouver and the vibrant anti-folk scene of New York City’s East Village. “Folk Song 3000” is a testament to Ripper’s unwavering dedication to crafting innovative and heartfelt music that captivates audiences across generations.
Saturday Nov 18
Eugene Ripper
The Fortyfive Vinyl Cafe
29 Micklegate
7:30 PM
More info/tix – www.fortyfiveuk.com/events/live-eugene-ripper