JW Farquhar

JW Farquhar
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Acid rock, folk rock, lo-fi
Occupation(s) Musician, singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass, harmonica, drum machine
Labels Brainbloblu

JW Farquhar is an American musician and singer-songwriter based in Philadelphia. He is known for his 1973 album, The Formal Female, which is considered as a forerunner to lo-fi and outsider artists including R. Stevie Moore and Jandek.[1]

Biography

JW Farquhar recorded his debut album, The Formal Female, following the end of his 10-year marriage in 1972. Having little money for gear following the divorce, JW Farquhar recorded the album in response to his ex-wife, using a TEAC 4-track and playing all the instruments, including a primitive drum machine. The recording took place in his apartment in Philadelphia. Due to the presence of various background sounds surrounding his third floor apartment including sirens, buses, and gunshots, Farquar tried to soundproof his apartment by covering the windows with foam, receiving mixed results.[2][1] The album was released on Brainblobru Records in 1973 with a private pressing and was reissued in 2008 through Shadoks Records.[1][3][4]

Farquhar’s music is categorized as "acid rock"[1] and features "guitar chops complimented with a smattering of weird effects, harmonica, and rustic distortion." He was compared to Tom Waits and The Formal Female was described as what "Damon Albarn’s Democrazy would be some 30 years later." Farquhar's lyrics primarily focus on his bitterness against his ex-wife. According to PopMatters critic Alan Ranta "they end up being more ludicrous than tormented, which oddly makes JW that much more compelling."[2]

Discography

Studio albums

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Raggett, Ned. "JW Farquhar - The Formal Female". Allmusic. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Ranta, Alan (January 12, 2009). "JW Farquhar: The Formal Female". PopMatters. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  3. ↑ "JW Farquhar - The Formal Female". Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  4. ↑ "JW Farquhar - The Formal Female". Forced Exposure. Retrieved February 22, 2015.

External links

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