OFFA REX

Offa Rex biography
Formed: 2015
Status as of May 2019: active

OFFA REX is a collaboration between Italian-born English-raised singer OLIVIA CHANEY and American prog folk group THE DECEMBERISTS. That band's leader COLIN MELOY envisioned that his band would play the role that the ALBION DANCE BAND played for SHIRLEY COLLINS many years ago. The result is reminiscent of the glory days of UK folk rock, inviting comparisons to the classics like MELLOW CANDLE, a Gay Woods fronted STEELEYE SPAN, a sultry PENTANGLE, or SANDY DENNY, but with a modern sheen.

Those familiar with the scene will recognize some of the traditional titles, as well as originals that have been so revered for so long that they have entered the trad lexicon. OFFA REX warrants a place on progarchives for their prog oriented arrangements and interpretations of these standards that channel the pioneers of prog folk.