Download The Rebel Jesus single here (FREE)
Download happy xmas, x is here at factory R (FREE)
Download O Happy Marriage at DownloadPunk.com ($6.99)
To buy real CDs, email mikey [at] catholicanarchy.org for info.
Michael John Iafrate is a thirty year old songwriter from West Virginia, now living in Canada, who has been writing and performing acoustic-based songs for over a decade and half. As a member of some of WV's most creative and well-known independent music acts, such as The Minus Tide , Drown Culture , and Killed At Camp , Iafrate made it a point to continue writing and performing acoustic solo material alongside his various other musical projects. Iafrate's theological folk rock touches on the intersecting themes of religion, politics, and sexuality, and gives respectful musical nods to such influences as Will Oldham, Neil Young, classic R.E.M., Elliott Smith, Gillian Welch, and Magnolia Electric Co.
M Iafrate's most recent proper album of original material is 2005's O Happy Marriage, released under the name M Iafrate & The Priesthood, an album consisting of full-sounding country/folk-rock songs as well as the softer guitar-only tracks that audiences have come to expect. Since the release of Marriage, Iafrate has produced two consecutive Christmas releases (available for free download on his site , as well as a collaboration with his brother, Andrew Iafrate, under the charming moniker The Dick Brothers . The latter is made up of six bluegrass/old time-y cover songs and 4 original instrumentals, recorded in three hours time to one track through one microphone in a basement in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
While pursuing doctoral studies in theology in Toronto, Iafrate has managed to continue prepping two upcoming albums: a long-awaited tribute to the St. Louis Jesuits called The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor and a new full-length from the Priesthood, tentatively titled The Birth of the Word in the Souls of the Just. Both albums are expected to be released in 2008.
Iafrate has shared the stage with such vital acts as Songs:Ohia, Magnolia Electric Co., The Anomoanon, Papa M, Matt Pond PA, Brightblack Morning Light, and the Rosebuds. Strangely, he has also played shows with such bands as Zao and The Movielife.
Iafrate also plays guitar and sings in the band COBRA from Wheeling, WV, featuring ex-members of The Minus Tide. COBRA recently released its debut album Feels Like Freedom.
To join the M Iafrate mailing list so you can receive info about upcoming shows and releases, click HERE .