Lach

Lach is an anti-folk singer-songwriter associated with anti-folk, folk, punk, rock and spoken word. He is linked with the development of the New York antifolk scene and is described as the creator of antifolk.

Early New York years

In the early 1980s, after reading a Dylan biography while listening to The Sex Pistols, Lach arrives in Greenwich Village and begins trying to play at folk clubs. He is turned away by Folk City and other venues, which leads him to move to the Lower East Side and open his own illegal after-hours club, The Fort. Around the same time, while Folk City hosts the New York Folk Festival, Lach stages the first New York Antifolk Festival, helping establish the first wave of antifolk. About a year later, police force The Fort to move on, and it becomes a mobile club at different New York venues.

Recordings and labels

Lach releases his debut CD, Contender, in 1990 on Danny Goldberg’s Goldcastle label. The record draws favourable press and radio play, though the label folds a few months later. He then moves to San Francisco and releases the EP Family Values Pack, which includes The Hillary Clinton Song; the track airs on more than 600 stations during Bill Clinton’s first campaign.

In 1997 Lach starts his own label, Fortified Records. With Shanachie Records, he releases Lach’s Antihoot: Live from the Fort. Fortified also releases Rick Shapiro’s Unconditional Love, produced by Lach, and Major Matt Mason USA’s Me, Me, Me. In 1999 he releases Blang!, produced by Richard Barone of The Bongos, and in 2001 he releases Kids Fly Free, also produced by Barone. In 2004 Fortified releases Today, recorded with The Secrets.

Antifolk network and influence

After returning to New York in 1993, Lach restarts The Fort at the Sidewalk Cafe in the East Village, helping usher in a new wave of antifolk. His work is said to influence artists including Beck, The Moldy Peaches, Jeffrey Lewis, Hamell on Trial and Michelle Shocked. Tours by New York antifolk acts such as The Moldy Peaches, Lach, Hamell on Trial and Jeff Lewis help start the UK antifolk scene. A monthly UK antifolk night called Blang!, named after his second album, begins at London’s 12 Bar Club and is hosted by Sgt. Buzfuz.

UK and European activity

In 2002 Lach signs with The Agency Group as his exclusive European booking agent and with Steve Hawkins as his tour manager. Track Records releases Kids Fly Free in the UK, and Lach also appears on Antifolk Vol. 1, compiled by The Moldy Peaches. Over the following years he tours the UK and France extensively, including solo dates and support slots for Suzanne Vega, Television and The Fine Young Cannibals. He also appears in the book Waking Up In New York City: A Musical Tour Of The Big Apple, which includes a chapter devoted to him.

Later work

In 2003 Fortified releases Testosterone Kills’ CD, and Fortified Management signs Nellie McKay to Columbia Records after a bidding war. In 2005 Lach tours the UK with sold-out performances, including a support slot for The Casbah Club, a group featuring members of The Jam, The Who and Big Country.