Jay Farrar
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Jay Farrar, (born December 26, 1967 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 expansion of traditional American music.
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Recording career
As a solo artist, Farrar has released two full length albums, one EP, one film score, and various live recordings. His full length albums are Sebastopol (2001) and Terroir Blues (2003), released on the independent record label Artemis 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").
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.
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.
External links
- Jay Farrar's website (http://jayfarrar.net)
- Gumbo Pages - Son Volt/Jay Farrar page (http://www.gumbopages.com/son-volt.html)