Afton Wolfe’s musical journey began at a very young age deep in the heartland of Delta Blues, Jimmy Rodgers, and where some historians claim the first notes of rock and roll were ever played…Mississippi.
As a part of several bands since the 1990s, Afton has been breathing, eating and sleeping music through a variety of projects and experiences. Moving to Nashville in the early 2000s, Wolfe contributed to two different bands before taking a short hiatus.
In 2008, he began working on his album Petronius’ Last Meal. Academia, alcohol, the journey toward the perfect mix, and a cross-country voyage put the album on hold…for more than ten years. However, with the wisdom of a veteran creative soul, Afton knew there would be a right time to finish and release that album.
That time is now.
Practicing law by day in Nashville and pouring all his energy into music by night, Wolfe finally found himself in the position he needed to be in to wrap up what he started so long ago.
The first single from Petronius’ Last Meal is Slingshots, a song with many threads carefully woven into a sonic tapestry working in excellent harmony.
Slingshots features a jazzy atmosphere that evokes imagery of a smokey bar deep in the heart of rural America where some of the most interesting personalities congregate to gamble, smoke, and drink whiskey on the rocks while being entertained by a band of gypsy belly dancers.
Lyrically, Slingshots touches upon several themes while Afton’s gritty, gravelly, bluesy voice weaves together various tales that form a cohesive story. Listening through the song and watching the video (multiple times) leads to the discovery of lyrical and musical nuances you probably missed on your first, second or even third listen.
As a big fan of the blues and someone who really loves the gritty, dirty, authenticity of Delta blues and homegrown Mississippi music, I am an immediate new fan of Afton Wolfe.
I’m looking forward to the release of Petronius’ Last Meal.
Until then, watch the video for Slingshots below or on YouTube. You can also listen on Soundcloud.
Connect with Afton Wolfe on his official website.
