Terry Allen is a Lubbock-born singer-songwriter whose music is but one facet of a larger artistic identity. Allen is into everything: sculpture, theater, mixed media installation, painting, writing, performance art. There’s nothing commericial about him. Like a Tom Waits of the American Southwest, Allen is daring, dark, funny, devoted to language, and way, way ahead of the creative curve. [read more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]
As a musician, the man runs in great company. The Flatlanders (Butch Hancock, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore) consider him a mentor. David Byrne, who came to know Allen well during the filming of “True Stories,” is a close friend. So was the late singer and slide guitarist Lowell George, who recorded Allen’s song “New Delhi Freight Train” with Little Feat. Allen’s albums are diverse in theme and approach. “Lubbock (On Everything)” feels like a West Texas short-story collection. “Human Remains” is optimistic, often Existential. “Salivation” is savagely satirical as it confronts blind faith in “Jesus Cash” – capitalism, right-wing fundamentalism and material appetites.