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Jay
Farrar On His Own In Semi-Acoustic
Act Jay Farrar's definition of success is a simple one. "For me it is just being able to keep your integrity and to do what you want to do without having to take on another job," said the songwriter calling from a tour stop. "For the last couple of years I have been able to do that." Farrar is the same Jay Farrar that founded Uncle Tupelo and fronted Son Volt, the bands that launched a thousand bands and created an underground movement known as alt-country. Farrar and his then partner Jeff Tweedy were credited with developing a whole new genre. Some called it a revolution, this melding of simple country sounds with a punk sensibility, returning rock 'n' roll to its country roots. Now that seems like success. Farrar looks at it less enthusiastically. "I guess it is gratifying if what you have done is worthwhile," he said dismissively. "I have almost forgotten about it, to tell you the truth." A falling out with Tweedy, who went on to form Golden Smog and the more successful Wilco, led to the demise of Uncle Tupelo. Farrar moved on and formed another influential outfit in Son Volt. He is ready to move on again. "It was a bit strange to be at the forefront of a movement," said Farrar. "At the time it wasn't even really defined as a movement." Farrar has gone solo this time around, releasing "Sebastopol," under his own name and is touring the country as a semi-acoustic act. "It is something that I knew I would do eventually," he said, of the solo record. "I think it was born specifically out of a desire to use different instrumentation and to try different textures. The foundation of the songs is still the same, though, it is still me on the acoustic guitar." Farrar worked with a variety of artists on the songs, including David Rawlings, Gillian Welch, and acoustic blues player Kelly Joe Phelps. "There was a different dynamic at work here," said Farrar. "Instead of working with a band I was working with one musician at a time on specific songs. The songs evolved differently and we were able to make decisions on the fly and move along. I felt more relaxed and sure about what I was doing." Farrar said it felt good to be out from under the alt-country tag. "I guess it was therapeutic," he said. "I was able to use instrumentation that alt-country would not allow."
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