The Punch List with Bo Farish

Metronome Charleston‘s “Punch List” series puts local musicians on the spot with a questionnaire that touches on music, venues, gear, records, vices, and more. This week, Charleston-based singer/songwriter and working musician Bo Farish has a go with the questionnaire.

1. What is your favorite local hang and why?

“Already a tough question with the variety of great venues and hangouts in this town. I’m going to have to give it to Salty Mike’s. The place has a lot of character. Never been anywhere else quite like it. And they’ve been real kind to me the last few years.”

2. You know you’ve played an excellent show when…

“You have a bit of a natural buzz going afterwards, and you feel like you could stay up playing music all night. That is a sign that things went well.”

3. What was the last show you attended that really got you fired up in a good or bad way?

“Bandswap at the Royal American a few weeks ago. It was a great communion of the diverse musical talent we have in this little city for a noble cause — Musician’s Healthcare Fund — and it left me feeling inspired, hopeful, and a little tipsy.”

Bo Farish (provided)

4. Define your musical style in exactly 10 words.

“Ambient soul-rock, folk-blues guitar jam-outs, and stuff. So far.”

5. What’s your theme song?

“It changes frequently, but recently it’s been ‘Keep Your Head Up’ by [British singer/songwriter] Ben Howard. I often shuffle through my music collection, looking for something that immediately strikes a chord with me, and this one has been hitting home the last few months. It’s the type of song that can come on and pick you up if your day is dragging and maybe you’re feeling a bit uninspired. A lot of my favorite music is useful in that way.”

6. Gear-wise, what’s is your irreplaceable baby?

“I’m going to have to say my old-school Ovation Balladeer acoustic guitar that my Dad handed down to me when I moved to Charleston. Anything else I have could probably be swapped out or even upgraded, but you can’t replace the family history I have with this guitar. It’s the first one I ever picked up, and I still use it all the time.”

7. What’s the most overplayed album in your collection?

“Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits. I’ve fallen asleep to it many times, in a good way. I think Paul Simon’s a great lyricist and songwriter, and Art Garfunkel is an incredible vocalist, too. Also, their production and arrangements were really inventive. They have some great records of great songs that have held their power over the years.”

8. When was the last time you were genuinely star-struck?

“Seeing Darius Rucker and Cary Ann Hearst tell stories and sing songs up close and personal at one of the ‘In the Mix’ sessions at College of Charleston this year was really cool. Other than that, probably about seven years ago when I got to briefly meet Rage Against the Machine’s guitar wizard Tom Morello after a show he did with Ben Harper at House of Blues in Myrtle Beach.”

9. What’s your poison?

“Bourbon or whiskey. Or beer. And CTC’s — the Cinnamon Toast Crunch shot.”

10. In 10 years, I will be…

“Opening up a couple dates on Creed’s globe-trotting final reunion tour, and sitting in on guitar for ‘Higher’ and ‘My Sacrifice’ … no, but seriously, I hope to still be writing songs and playing instruments. And hopefully be a bit better at doing both!”

Bo Farish and company on stage at the Royal American (provided)

Bo Farish is an eclectic singer/songwriter/guitarist based out of Charleston, SC. His “If Not Now” EP showcases an imaginative take on a range of styles, blending soul, blues rock, pop/rock, and modern folk and filtering it all through a wide-eyed starlit sky like prism.

Bo Farish came up in the Murrell’s Inlet/Myrtle Beach area before attending the College of Charleston and making the Lowcountry his home base. Over the last few years, he’s performed, collaborated, and recorded originals and renditions with friends and colleagues in the local indie pop/rock scene.

He describes himself as an “eclectic singer/songwriter/guitarist” playing a variety of styles, “blending soul, blues-rock, pop/rock, and modern folk, and filtering it all through a wide-eyed starlit sky like prism.”

He recently independently tracked and packaged a lush and elegant, four-song debut EP titled If Not Now. Under the guidance of engineer Trevor Marron at Charleston Sound, Farish handled the mead vocals, guitars, and keys with additional guests including drummer Jeff Borckardt and bassist Ryan Frederick. It’s a melodic, soulful, attractively foot-tapping mini-collection.

Bo Farish celebrates the release of his new disc at the Tin Roof on Fri. Oct. 10 at 9 p.m. Local songstress Estee Gabay opens. Admission is $5. Visit Farish’s Facebook page and bofarish.bandcamp.com for more.

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About the Author

Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.