Farrar Out

PD: How are you coping with the election results?

JF: I survived, you know? I would have hoped it would have gone another way, but it really wasn’t all that surprising.

Has the political climate affected your songwriting?

It’s something that I consciously don’t want in there. But I’ve noticed that over the last four years, things have begun to creep in to my writing, and it’s something that I prefer didn’t happen.

Does the NHL lockout have you feeling down, too?

Not too badly. I kind of have fallen out of touch with hockey in the last couple of years … so I guess now was the right time to lose interest.

Too busy with the Son Volt “reunion”?

I have a couple projects going right now. I’m working on a folk record, a spontaneous thing with Anders Parker. After that, there’s Son Volt.

Is it tough to mesh with a revamped Son Volt lineup?

Basically, it’s been great. There is a certain positive energy when you’re creating something that didn’t exist before.

Was it disappointing that the original lineup couldn’t come to terms?

It was very disappointing. I was devastated for a week or so afterwards. I was … blindsided by the decision, and there are still a lot of elements that I don’t completely understand. But I made the decision to move on.

Will this Son Volt resemble the previous incarnation?

I think the distinction will be fairly obvious. But … when it comes down to it … I know that with any Son Volt album, I want it to be a document of four guys playing — whoever those four guys happen to be.

Is it difficult for you to maintain enthusiasm for any particular project?

Wearing a lot of different hats does keep things fresh.

What’s good music for coping with these depressing times?

Lemme see … I kinda go back to a reissue of R.L. Burnside’s first recordings. I’ve been listening to that a lot these days. It’s the essence of blues. Which is what these times are all about.

Can people find comfort in listening to you?

I would never be so presumptuous … although I do listen to some songs during certain times. But my catharsis comes more from writing the songs than listening to them.