Jae Laffer

Overview

Does everybody remember The Panics? That dreamy but wholesome indie folk defined the summer of 2007 for many of us. Mainly because of this song, and honestly, it still sounds pretty great. Now, two years after the band's last release, Rain on the Humming Wire, frontman Jae Laffer is trying it out on his own.

In theory this should be a pretty seamless transition — the band is better known for their pared back acoustic songs, and Laffer's songwriting has been highly acclaimed over the years. His first solo single, Leave A Light On, seems to stand up to this past promise. That affable Aussie voice carries a familiar lack of pretension and his work remains honest, direct and well-crafted. Even the music video has a certain summertime retro charm.

Though his first album, When the Iron Glows Red, has just been released, he's been quick to let us know The Panics are still going strong. "I saw this as an opportunity to take ideas and themes true to myself and see them from start to finish in one burst of inspiration, without looking up," he says.

On the first stop of this national headline tour, Laffer will be playing The Toff in Town supported by Karl Smith and Georgia Fair. Tickets are still available here.