Jandek

For about four years I have followed the strange world of the musician named Jandek. Has anyone heard of him? He is definitely on the far end of the “weird” spectrum. His music is hard to describe and I probably wouldn’t be able to really explain why I like it if pressed. Perhaps it is the weird combo of shattered rhythm, disassociated lyrics and the mystery surrounding this blue collar machinist from Texas making some of the most mysterious music I’ve ever come across.

In 2003, a documentary named “Jandek on Corwood” was released and it tried to shed some light on Jandek. It did for the most part, but he still seemed out of reach. That was fine by me as I feel the less mystery around him, the less appeal he’d probably have. Maybe that is why I like his stuff, it is the fact that he is so “underground” and so out of reach.

So the question is, why am I blogging about him then? Well, the Internet is really taking over for Jandek’s popularity. While he is still a blip, I was amazed that he popped up on You Tube. The performance posted below was his first live performance in public. This was in 2004.

He released his first record in 1978.

Yep, it took him 26 years to make a live appearance. Between those years he released about 35 albums. Those albums were released with no fanfare, no pub and on his own mail-order label, cryptically titled Corwood Industries. People would write to him and he’d send a bunch of records. Talk about strange. Anyway, before the Internet, even before — and during — the ‘zine craze, he survived by courting this strange following of people who liked weird music.

Now with the advent of the Internet, he is more popular than ever, and he is also making a lot more public appearances. So far, it really hasn’t changed his music much. He still is all disjointed and random. The question is will it remain that way or will he get more “mainstream”? It is certainly an interesting example to current bands who are trying to capitalize on Internet promotion and the grassroots way of success, though.

It just proves that there is an audience out there if you are doing something unique. Here is a man who has released 74 albums and has never given a true interview and has never, ever released any sort of personal information.

In the end, maybe that is why I like his stuff the most. He is unique and true to what he wants to release. He really seems to do it for himself and maybe the public performances — however limited as they are — are his way of giving back to those who have supported him through his career.

By the way he is coming to Chicago in September…

Jandek On You Tube