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. His love for Woody Guthrie inspired a custom guitar made by Creston Lea of Vermont. The guitar was made from artifacts Jay gathered from the site of Guthrie's childhood home. In 2012 the guitar was featured in a painting by modern artist Karl Haglund.
After the dissolution of Uncle Tupelo in 1994, Farrar formed Son Volt, whose original lineup released three albums in the late 1990s, before undergoing a hiatus in 1999. In 2005, the band re-formed with a different lineup and has since (as of May 2009) released four additional albums.
In 1999, Farrar was invited to participate in the tribute album for Moby Grape co-founder Skip Spence, who was terminally ill with cancer. The album, More Oar: A Tribute to the Skip Spence Album (Birdman, 1999), was an album of cover versions of the songs on Spence's only solo album, Oar (Columbia, 1999).
In 1995, Farrar collaborated with Townes Van Zandt on the song "Rex's Blues", which appeared on the AIDS benefit album Red Hot + Bothered produced by the Red Hot Organization.
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.
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Direction
Jay Farrar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The spirit of the one constant thread
Policing yourself, a lifelong pursuit
Hanging on to the ring of the bell
And it's out on the town
The world spins around
And the rules we'd rather forget
So dear to die for
Believe it's worth saving yet
City sounds, a life of their own
Never found any other way
Not to preach or teach
Not good at either one
There's a space that shines in the sun
Then it's out on the town
The world spins around
In step with the best intention
It is what we're here for
So dear to die for
Count me in your direction
In Jay Farrar's song "Direction," the lyrics reflect on the idea of purpose and the way we choose to spend our time. The opening lines, "Along for the ride or just watching the time, the spirit of the one constant thread," suggest that we can either actively participate in our lives or simply observe them passing by. The "one constant thread" refers to the idea that there is something connecting us all, whether it be spirituality, humanity, or something else entirely.
The next lines of the song, "Policing yourself, a lifelong pursuit, hanging on to the ring of the bell," suggest that personal discipline and self-control can be challenging but also rewarding. The "ring of the bell" may symbolize an end goal or something worth striving for. The chorus, "And it's out on the town, the world spins around, and the rules we'd rather forget, it's not what we're here for, so dear to die for, believe it's worth saving yet," reminds us that life is short and we should make the most of it, even if it means breaking the rules sometimes. The last line, "believe it's worth saving yet," suggests a desire to hold onto something meaningful in a changing world.
The second verse of the song, "City sounds, a life of their own, never found any other way, not to preach or teach, not good at either one, there's a space that shines in the sun," suggests that despite the chaos of city life, there is a beauty and a sense of community that can be found in it. The last chorus, "Then it's out on the town, the world spins around, in step with the best intention, it is what we're here for, so dear to die for, count me in your direction," suggests a willingness to join others in pursuit of something worthwhile.
Overall, Farrar's lyrics encourage listeners to live intentionally, to find something meaningful to hold onto, and to be willing to break with convention when necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
Along for the ride or just watching the time
Whether actively participating or just observing the passage of time
The spirit of the one constant thread
Referring to the unchanging essence or philosophy that guides one's life
Policing yourself, a lifelong pursuit
The continual effort to maintain self-discipline throughout one's life
Hanging on to the ring of the bell
Holding on to a signal or marker that indicates what is important or valuable
And it's out on the town
Engaging in social activity or experiencing the world outside oneself
The world spins around
Life carries on and events unfold regardless of individual experience or action
And the rules we'd rather forget
The conventions or expectations that we seek to ignore or reject
It's not what we're here for
Acknowledging that such rules or expectations are not the purpose or goal of existence
So dear to die for
What is cherished or valued enough to potentially sacrifice one's life for
Believe it's worth saving yet
Despite circumstances or appearance, there is still something worth preserving or fighting for
City sounds, a life of their own
The audible expression of urban culture and energy, with its own unique character and personality
Never found any other way
Unable to locate or adopt any alternative approach or path
Not to preach or teach
Neither interested in nor proficient at instructing or promoting a particular viewpoint
Not good at either one
Lacking skill or talent when it comes to preaching or teaching
There's a space that shines in the sun
Referring to the unique and positive attributes of a particular place or thing
In step with the best intention
Striving to align behaviors and actions with the most positive or beneficial intent
It is what we're here for
Acknowledging that fulfilling positive intentions and actions is the ultimate purpose or goal of existence
So dear to die for
What is cherished or valued enough to potentially sacrifice one's life for
Count me in your direction
Expressing willingness and commitment to join others in positive intention and action
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERESFORD ROMEO, HAYDEN BROWNE, WILLIAM MOWATT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind