Jay Farrar
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Jay Farrar, (born December 26, 1966 in Belleville, Illinois) is an American songwriter and musician currently based in St. Louis, Missouri. A veteran of two critically-acclaimed music groups, Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt, he began his solo music career in 2001. Beyond his established talents as a songwriter, he is a well-regarded guitarist, harmonicist, and a distinctive vocalist. His music is an informed interpretation of traditional American music.
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[edit] Recording career
- See also: Jay Farrar discography
As a solo artist, Farrar has released two full length albums, two EPs, one film score, and various live recordings. His full length albums are Sebastopol (2001) and Terroir Blues (2003), the first released on the independent record label Artemis Records and the second released on his own label, Transmit Sound. "No Rolling Back" from Terroir Blues appears on This is Alt. Country, Volume Two (Shut Eye Records).
An EP of songs from the Sebastopol sessions, entitled ThirdShiftGrottoSlack was released in 2002. His score for the independent film The Slaughter Rule (2002, directors Alex and Andrew Smith) was released in 2003 on the independent record label Bloodshot Records. Farrar formed his own independent record label in 2003, Transmit Sound (formerly called "Act/Resist Records").
In 2004, Farrar released a six song live acoustic EP entitled Live EP. Also 2004 marked the release of the live CD/DVD Stone, Steel & Bright Lights. Following "Stone, Steel & Bright Lights," Farrar reformed Son Volt with an entirely different lineup than had comprised the band on their first three recordings.
In July 2005, Farrar and Son Volt released "Okemah and the Melody of Riot," Son Volt's first full-length recording since 1998.
In 2006, Farrar announced the formation of a new band, Gob Iron, with Varnaline's Anders Parker. The songs which would make up their debut album were recorded in autumn 2004, while Farrar was in the process of recording a new Son Volt album. Gob Iron's debut album, Death Songs For The Living, was released on October 31st, 2006 by Transmit Sound/Legacy Recordings.
Son Volt released a new, 14-song album, 'The Search', in March 2007 on Transmit Sound/Legacy. The album marked a stretching out musically for Son Volt because horns were used.
[edit] Style
His musical style ranges from sparse, unaccompanied folk music to full rock and roll band arrangements comparable to Neil Young or Dinosaur Jr.. His solo recordings also often include sound experiments, reminiscent of psychedelia, with a distinctly Eastern bent. One of the hallmarks of his sound is the use of alternate tunings on the guitar.
[edit] Related artists
After disbanding Uncle Tupelo in 1994, Farrar formed the rock group Son Volt. Farrar worked closely with keyboardist Steven Drozd of The Flaming Lips during the recording of Sebastopol. Eric Heywood, Mark Spencer from the Blood Oranges, and the rock group Canyon have often accompanied Farrar in his solo recordings and performances.
[edit] External links
- Official Jay Farrar website
- Official Son Volt website
- Gumbo Pages - Son Volt/Jay Farrar page
- Features and CD reviews of Jay Farrar at the Country Standard Time web site
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