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Track of the Week: “The Great Despiser” by Joe Pug

Joe Pug

Article by Kendall McCabe, Photo by Fred Galoso

Joe Pug
Joe Pug visiting KRUI in 2010. (Photo by Fred Galoso)

Folk chanteur Joe Pug has become an Iowa City favorite over the years. Once upon a time, he channeled his creative efforts into playwrighting. Nowadays, he uses his dusty, whiskey-tinged vocals and strums his guitar to tell his stories. Pug’s latest album, The Great Despiser, was released on April 24, 2012.

The title track from the new album shows a more upbeat, pop-oriented side of the musician. While, in the past, Pug favored solo acoustic guitar and minimalistic arrangements, this track is a welcome change, as it includes some harmony vocals, springy drumming, and a killer electric guitar part.

Listen to “The Great Despiser” by Joe Pug:

Want more?

• Joe Pug will play at The Mill on May 15, 2012 in support of The Great Despiser.

• KRUI caught Joe Pug performing at the Englert Theatre in October 2010 and churning out songs like the gorgeous “Hymn #101” and the protest song “I Do My Father’s Drugs”.

• Joe Pug also visited KRUI and performed live on February 23, 2010.