David Poe may not have a den lined with platinum records, but that doesn't prevent the New York singer-songwriter from occasionally enjoying the finer things. "I've been hanging by the pool all morning, living the rock-star life," he jokes from a Phoenix, Arizona, tour stop.
Since I first saw the former Midwesterner performing in support of his 1997 self-titled debut, I have been waiting for the rest of the world to grasp the obvious: David Poe should be huge. He renders smart folk-pop originals, tinted with hints of jazz, in warm, breathy tones that inspire a strangely fraternal feeling; imagine the best qualities of Suzanne Vega imbued in a young James Taylor (minus any feelings of violence either name may stir in your bosom). Yet despite putting out three swell records—including his latest, Love Is Red—he remains a cult figure.
Hopefully, one of his current projects will alter that state of affairs. Poe is artist in residence for Artists Den (www.theartistsden.com). That group's mission, he explains, "Is to connect musicians and bands of quality with an audience that is underserved by current media models." Maybe you grew up digging Elvis Costello and R.E.M., but now you're too busy with work and the kids to investigate new music. What to do? Buy mediocre Sting albums because the name is familiar? Try to distinguish between all the Norah Jones clones? Or let Artists Den direct you to newer acts, selected by peers like Poe, that don't get played on Clear Channel: Ed Harcourt, Emiliana Torrini, Joseph Arthur, Regina Spektor.
Poe sees this as more than just a way to expand and connect fan bases. "Dedication to craft is a political act at this point," he insists. "There is a direct correlation between bad, mainstream pap, and bad politics." Rather than climb up on a soapbox or stump for candidates, he hopes to improve the nation's climate by disseminating good music.
Another one of Poe's Artists Den colleagues is Duncan Sheik, with whom he performs at Chop Suey this Sunday, September 25. Although this gig is essentially two solo sets, the pair has formed a new group, too. The as-yet-unnamed quintet also features drummer Matt Johnson (Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright) and pianist Fil Krohnengold. "We're all singing, we're all writing, we're doing five-part harmonies," says Poe. "It's a bit more rocking than what people might expect from us." They plan to release a record in early 2006.
If Poe wants to sound a little more rocking, that's cool—it seems unlikely that he'd ever affect rock-star attitude. After his recent Bumbershoot set, Poe signed CDs for fans that included an ordained minister, a muscle-bound San Francisco tourist, and excited teenage girls. "Will you be my friend?" he asked with each swipe of the Sharpie. He was referring to his Myspace profile, but still, it's hard to imagine such a disarming request coming from Citizen Cope or that Coldplay ninny. Hmmm... maybe he should run for office. 
