Jo Serrapere (sarah-pear), a songwriter from Detroit, Michigan, started playing guitar at 23 when seeking out lessons from Delta blues guitarist Shari Kane. Jo’s music is original while always reflecting her love of American roots music. Her eclectic writing and performance fuses elements of various modern and traditional folk music, classic country, old-time and electric blues, garage rock, surf, swing and alt-country. With her new band, the LaFawndas, Jo’s writing is heavily inspired by the music of Wanda Jackson. She moves from gogo boots to cowgirl boots with a wry social observation of the present times. Sometimes dark and heartbreaking, but mostly fun and satirical, they change up their instruments and musical styles with ease. From classic country to swing to garage rock, Jo’s original material often sounds very familiar, yet with a fresh, smart voice. The LaFawndas are Drew Howard (pedal steel, guitars, Dobro, banjo), Dave Roof (bass, guitars, trumpet, organ, backing vocals), Laura Ann Bates (piano, organ, bass, backing vocals) and Stuart Tucker (drums and percussion). They come to The Ark with a new album, “Dollar Store Nation.”