Ben Gibbard, Jay Farrar Perform Kerouac Music

The duo's soundtrack to a documentary about the beat writer comes to life in a vivid L.A. show.
Jay Farrar / Photo by Andrew Herrold

How's this for a great concept: The words of legendary Beat poet Jack Kerouac set to song by a pining indie-pop prince and an alt-Americana forefather. And when Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie, The Postal Service) and Jay Farrar (Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo) came together at Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre on Friday night, their performance felt about as organic as the text that inspired it.

LISTEN: Death Cab, Son Volt Singers' Kerouac-Inspired Song

Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar get folky on "These Roads Don't Move," a track from their upcoming album about the 1950s beat writer.
Ben Gibbard / Jay Farrar

Newlywed Death Cab for Cutie leader Ben Gibbard and Son Volt singer Jay Farrar have interpreted Jack Kerouac's 1962 novel Big Sur for their new album, One Fast Move or I'm Gone.

Death Cab, Son Volt Frontmen Record Kerouac-Inspired Songs

Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar may release a record about the revered Beat writer later this year.
Ben Gibbard / Jay Farrar

Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard and Son Volt's Jay Farrar are collaborating on a side-project inspired by '50s Beat writer Jack Kerouac.

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Against Me!

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