In the beginning, one band carried the torch throughout the incarnation of the alternative country genre. That band was Uncle Tupelo. Formed in the late 1980s in Belleville, Illinois, this inventive outcast band straddled the fence between the country and rock sides of music, helping spark a new genre that still continues strong today. However, in 1994, the band members decided to take different musical directions. Former member Jeff Tweedy decided to take his new band, Wilco, more toward the rock side of the alt-country genre, while Jay Farrar geared his new band, Son Volt, a little more toward the country side.
After nearly 20 years and seven studio albums, Son Volt continues to carry on as a leader atop the alt-country world. Although the band has experienced member changes over the years, Jay Farrar’s distinctive voice, creative songwriting ability and determined vision for Son Volt continues on as the constant factor that remains the backbone for the band’s under-the-radar alt-country success.
Between Farrar’s extremely busy life of recording solo albums, collaborating with other musicians on special projects and publishing memoirs from life on the road, he always finds time to eventually head back into the studio with talented musicians to record new Son Volt material. With the newest Son Volt album just released in March of this year, Honky Tonk picked right back up on the signature sound that has continued to make Son Volt a saving grace for alt-country fans.
Touring in support of the new album, Farrar and Son Volt will make a stop in Chattanooga on Wednesday, June 26 for a special show at Rhythm & Brews.