Music in the Garden: My Politic

On their upcoming record Missouri Folklore: Songs & Stories From Home, My Politic dig deep into the soil of their home state, shining a light on the complexities and dichotomies of those who plant their roots within it. 

Part autobiographical, part conceptual, every song on Missouri Folklore is set against the backdrop of the Ozark Mountains, which served as the landscapes of longtime friends and bandmates Kaston Guffey and Nick Pankey's early years. Through reflective, imagery-driven songwriting, the pair honestly examine the tangled webs we weave, often overshadowed by the doldrums of everyday life in small-town America.  

Missouri Folklore is a thematic shift from the band's previous record, 2020's Short-Sighted People in Power, which directly responded to the political climate that permeated every aspect of American culture during that chaotic year. That project earned acclaim from a range of outlets, including the Nashville Scene, American Songwriter, and The Alternate Root, bringing a much-deserved and long-awaited new spotlight onto their well-honed artistry.

Missouri Folklore: Songs & Stories From Home marks My Politic's 10th album, but also serves as a thoughtful introduction to Guffey and Pankey's blend of sincere, candid storytelling that echoes the spirit of greats like John Prine, who the band cites as their most significant influence.

Most Recently, Guffey & Pankey have been touring the U.S. extensively. Playing house concerts & listening rooms as well as larger venues opening for folks like Adeem The Artist & Margo Cilker. They have been showing up at festivals as well including The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, Home Sweet Home Festival & the Rock House Music Festival.

Guffey and Pankey's engaging slice-of-life storytelling, expertly-crafted characters & sibling-like harmony, shape a collection of songs that are as intimate and engaging as they are unforgettable. With Missouri Folklore, My Politic pay homage to the people and places that raised them while highlighting the work needed to cultivate a better environment for themselves and those who come next.

Stanley-Whitman House's Music in the Garden Series presents artists and shows differently than a club show- instead, our house concert is more up close and personal. All of the artifice is stripped away. There is no stage, no dressing rooms, and no barrier between the performer and the audience. The SWH Music in the Garden series is more like being one step closer to how music was intended- an artist traveling from town to town, telling stories, and making friends. Come check this out!

In 1935, Stanley-Whitman House was established as Farmington's first museum. It is a nationally recognized historic house museum and living history center that teaches through the collection, preservation, research, and dynamic interpretation of the history and culture of early Farmington, Connecticut. Programs, events, classes, and exhibits encourage visitors of all ages to immerse themselves in history by doing, acting, questioning, and engaging in colonial life and the ideas that formed the foundation of that culture.

Located in the historic village of Farmington, the museum facility centers on a circa 1720 National Historic Landmark house furnished with period antiques to reflect the everyday activities of Colonial life in Connecticut. Surrounding the house are period-raised bed gardens, an apple orchard, and heritage stone walls.

The public service areas of the museum, constructed in 2004, include a modern classroom, a period tavern room, a post-and-beam Welcome Center, a research library, an exhibit gallery, the Nancy Conklin History Gallery, and a collection storage area.

In addition to managing Memento Mori, Farmington’s ancient cemetery on Main Street, and the Village Green, located at the intersection of Routes 4 and 10, the museum also oversees the Scott Swamp Cemetery on Route 6. The Stanley-Whitman House is supported in part by the Farmington Village Green and Library Association.

At Stanley Whitman House, our commitment to accessibility is paramount. While not all of our programs are free, we strive to offer as many as possible at no cost, thanks to the generous support of our underwriters. If you wish to assist us in this mission, we welcome donations, which help us to expand further and diversify our range of activities. Your contributions play a crucial role in maintaining and increasing the accessibility of our programs.

Host or Publisher Stanley-Whitman House