Is Farley, the mastermind behind Papa Razzi, a digital age villain or an accidental genius? In a world saturated with algorithm-driven content, his musical endeavors provoke a compelling question: are they merely spam, or do they represent a unique form of outsider art? Perhaps his creations are not just sonic litter, but something akin to the prolific output of Steve Keene, the celebrated painter admired by the Gen-X crowd and showcased in museums. Intriguingly, Farley himself has even penned a song about Steve Keene, featured on his album “I Am Not Wasting My Life,” hinting at his own internal wrestling with these very questions of artistic merit and purpose in the digital age, where to find a song that truly resonates is becoming increasingly challenging amidst the constant deluge of content.
Meeting Farley in Danvers last December revealed a man of remarkable transparency. His approachable demeanor, framed by a full head of hair and friendly features reminiscent of Kyle Chandler, immediately put you at ease. One online commentator aptly described him as having a “youth-pastory” vibe. True to form, he arrived an hour early to pick me up from my hotel, sporting his signature fleece-lined brown hoodie – seemingly his year-round outerwear in the New England climate, even on his frequent 15-to-20 mile walks. He strikes you as someone who eagerly anticipates the first hint of warmer weather to switch to shorts. This eagerness and almost compulsive punctuality are just facets of his driven personality.
While Papa Razzi’s quirky style might initially suggest a stoner sensibility, Farley is emphatically sober. He’s never touched alcohol or drugs. By his own admission, his diet resembles that of a picky child. During a visit to Dube’s Seafood in Salem, renowned for its belly clams, he opted for chicken nuggets, burying them under an excessive amount of salt and pepper. In the car, our soundtrack spanned classic rock from The Rolling Stones to The Replacements and Tom Waits. “It’s a huge act of self-control for me not to play my own music right now,” he confessed, seemingly unaware that I was precisely there to delve into his musical world and find a song within his unique discography.
Farley’s life has been consistently driven by a desire to create and share his creations. After graduating from Providence College, he intentionally relocated to Manchester, N.H., seeking solitude to avoid distractions. “If you know people, they want you to go to cookouts,” he explained, emphasizing his dedication to his craft over social engagements. He views downtime as lost creative potential, time that could be spent writing songs or scripts instead of attending parties or watching sports. Rejecting conventional paths like film school or industry internships, he chose a job at a group home for teenagers, working condensed 40-hour weeks to free up four days for his artistic pursuits. He actively promoted his music by leaving Moes Haven CDs in public places, even discreetly placing them in record store stacks, hoping someone would find a song that resonated. He would even offer airport rides as an opportunity to share his music with a captive audience, driven by a relentless desire to be heard.
