Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard owe quite a bit of thanks to the blogosphere. This is not to say that most artists these days don’t, but something feels different with this particular case. At this point I think it’s pretty safe to say most music enthusiasts with an internet connection have heard some sort of sputtering about the Son Volt man and our favorite Cutie working on a twelve-track project relating to a documentary about Jack Kerouac and his Big Sur years. The truth in this statement is a bit frightening, seeing how obscure and seemingly random the whole project looks at a glance. The internet, however, has been a friend to Farrar and Gibbard, who have been able to premiere tracks from their new project and created quite a “hype” for something that really came out of nowhere.
Anyhow, a second track from One Fast Move or I’m Gone: Kerouac’s Big Sur has surfaced in the form of “The Void”. The song follows up “These Roads Don’t Move”, which premiered on NPR in late September. It’s an acoustic folk ballad featuring Gibbard’s signature whispers and all sorts of fun, dark, sea-based, imagery. It’s pretty standard, but also kind of good. Have a listen over at Stereogum.
The documentary’s soundtrack is out October 20th via F-Stop/Atlantic and the movie will be playing at various locations next week. In any case, in seeing the documentary, listening to the documentary’s sound track, or both, you’re bound to learn a whole lot about Jack Kerouac, Big Sur, and the music of Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard, in case you’ve always wondered what Son Volt would sound like if Ben Gibbard sang lyrics inspired by a famous beatnik author (why would you ever have wondered that?).
You’re welcome Mr. Gibbard/Farrar
-The Blogosphere
Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard Tour Dates:
10/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Largo (at the Coronet)
10/23 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
10/24 – San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
10/26 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
10/27 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
10/28 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall