Jay Farrar

This week on Art of the Song our guest is Jay Farrar. One of the fathers of the alt-country movement, he’s a veteran of two critically acclaimed groups, Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt.

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.

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.

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. Spencer is now a full-time member of Son Volt.

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.

Farrar collaborated with Ben Gibbard (of the indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie) to create all of the music for the soundtrack for the 2009 documentary film One Fast Move or I’m Gone, about Jack Kerouac‘s time spent at Big Sur. The soundtrack was released on October 20, 2009.

Jay visited with us from the studios or KWMU in St. Louis, MO.

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