Sean Farley
Born in Williamsport, Pa, music was a part of Farley’s life at a very early age. The guitar is the current mainstay instrument, but violin, piano, drums, and singing were its predecessors. Now his love for guitar has come full circle with a certification in Lutherie (the crafting of stringed instruments). Farley now plays guitars that he has crafted by hand, through a self-built, hand wired tube amp.
Farley has been a two time semifinalist in the International Blues Challenge, taken the stage at the Billtown Blues Festival seven times, and has opened for bands like “Yes” and “Blue Oyster Cult”. He has shared the stage on several tours as a lead guitar player for the “Georgia Song Bird” E.g. Kight ( www.egkight.com ), recorded on her album “It’s Hot In Here”, and is still her main guitarist in the north east. He has performed with other musicians like Ann Rabson, Bnois King, Smokin’ Joe Kubek, “Iron Man” Michael Burks, & 2013 Grammy nominee Melissa Reaves, and more. Farley currently occupies the role of guitarist, singer, and songwriter for regional acts including Black~n~Blues and Lynn & Farley 5.
Farley's dedication to life
as a musician was thoroughly tested by a near tragic accident with a
machete knife! The night before a New Year's Eve gig, w/ Kight and her
northern band, he accidentally cut through most of his left thumb,
including tendons, ligaments, artery, nerves, and bone joint. He had
immediate re-constructive plastic surgery on new year's morning and
began the road to recovery. Farley had just over a month till his second
Memphis IBC opportunity, to heal and learn to play guitar without the
use of his thumb. While in cast he learned to play slide on his lap, out
of pure frustration and longing to play guitar again. He played as well
as possible on Beale Street, and then received 6 months of occupational
therapy. He was deeply reminded of his love for the guitar through this
process and has mostly recovered since. This is another big reason why
this next trip to the International Blues Challenge is so personally
important... redemption! As the saying hopefully goes "the third time,
is a charm."
Since moving back from
Arizona, where Farley pursued his education in the art of guitar making,
a new chapter in his musical endeavors has taken form in solo
performance. Farley has been spending most of his time on his hand made
acoustic guitar and chasing fuller sound with LIVE “looping”. This
“looping” allows Farley to be a rhythm guitarist, a percussionist, and a
lead guitarist, all at once. At his solo shows you will hear what
sounds like multiple guitarists, a rhythm section, blistering leads, and
a powerful soulful voice.
Farley will forever be primarily a
blues player, but has been influenced by many other musical styles like
funk, rock, soul, R&B, reggae, americana, country, and jazz. All of
these influences can be heard throughout his songwriting and
performances. He is currently recording his first solo album to be
released by the end of 2012.
In January/February of next year,
Farley returns to Memphis to test his new solo show, healed hand, and
custom guitars at the 2013 IBCs!
