I wrote a letter to Jandek and I mentioned his album covers. He wrote back to me on Halloween 2007. It was a free form poem/essay on the purpose of art. Whenever I second guess myself about art, I re-read that letter.
@@clarkbowler157 It's hard to summarize what he wrote, but he touched on how it began as decorating a cave and that only humans make art. (This isn't necessarily accurate, as there are birds who will decorate a nesting area to attract a mate). He mentioned humans drawing what they see to objectify images or recall memories bringing about spiritual illumination.
@@sydbarrett5 You call a bird meticulously scattering rotted fish heads and berry twigs around their stick hut so some other fat bird with shit-clumped feathers can plop on top of her and breathe his beetle-gut breath into her face ART?
I had one of the purest Jandek discoveries a person could have. In the 90s, I was a DJ at my campus radio station,, and I lust loved perusing the vault (really the sole reason I wanted to work there). There were like ten albums from a guy I'd never heard of, weirdly blank album covers with more or less the same design (except that one with a Chinese restaurant menu font). I was intrigued that a guy I'd never heard of could have so many albums (boy, did I underestimate!) and took a few home to investigate. Obviously, my listening experience just led to more questions. But there was really no way to answer those questions (the internet did exist at the time but was inchoate). I just kind of shuddered and put him to the back of my mind, but somehow I kept returning to those albums and to him. He really provided me with an amazing experience of the power of mystery and of music as purely personal expression. I very, very rarely listen to him, but I'd still consider myself a fan.
I finally procured one of his LPs--an actual vintage copy, not a repress--a month or two ago. Cost me a pretty penny but was worth it to have one of the earlier ones straight from Corwood. I'd gladly get more if the opportunity and the money sync up.
I always thought it would be hilarious if Jandek's final album is a huge, sumptuously produced epic like Dark Side Of The Moon filled with intricate guitar solos and soaring melodies. One final troll to leave the critics guessing before he fades into the ether.
the whole point of outsider music is that the only one person or one band could recreate this stuff. It's the exact opposite of 'anybody could do it.' Only one person could tangle up a ball of string in that exact way.
Exactly. People associate things that aren't easily patterned with being more possible than something more obviously reliant on conventional skill, and maybe these are things that someone could emulate if they're looking to send it up or pay tribute to it, but to earnestly create something along these lines? Most people couldn't. What lives in us creatively is as unique as our fingerprint and no one else out there has the same whorl as Jandek.
in mid 90's David Bowie made Earthling and Outside albums. They were the bomb, very impressive, of course no one except him and band at the time could ever play it correctly. It is unfortunate i haven't been to Outside tour because it was so different from anything out there at the time, probably even today in realm of popular music.
I learned of Jandek from Irwin Chusid's Songs in the Key of Z........ It's interesting that some folks feel the NEED to express themselves through music when most of the world doesn't notice.
I am intrigued by the project but I admit the music isn't very appealing to me. But he's a real artist and I think his motives are purely on that level. I mean, he practically gives his stuff away. I just bought his book. Shipping to Europe only 3 bucks. I bet after shipping and the book cost he only made a buck or two. If that. It may have even cost him. I can't recall if this doc mentions his interview with Katy Vine. But he sounds like a relatively affluent guy with an intriguing art project he can afford to share rather than sell. And now he performs live! My guess is he retired and decided to go all in with Jandek. I wonder if he's made provisions to open the door a bit on who Sterling Smith really is....
interesting to me how responsive he is to the critics without engaging outside of his profile as an artist, but he values the critique, which to me speaks to an intention beyond making art purely for creative endeavour
I was not ready for this kind of sounds.. I agree this is how music should always be made ..I am of the mind that the musician needs to satisfy themselves when they make music,,, the free association music creation form is like how I try to go thru life. I am glad he does this ,, it is really important to have these songs and works .. that need only make sense to him.. jandek ,.. I like to make inside jokes with myself inside my head things no one hears or knows ,, and then I laugh with myself ,, I never laugh at myself because I am sorta a serious kind of person... these is where things are for me ,, the comments in yt videos besides the videos I can upload ..
1:24:30 "The tree plain and simple can burn away, resolve itself into its chemical elements, and so forth. But the meaning-the meaning of this perception, something that belongs necessarily to its essence-cannot burn away" Husserl
Their most recent album The Beggar is probably their most Jandek inspired. Seeing the title track live on their tour recently felt very much like Jandek was in the room
I wrote a letter to Jandek and I mentioned his album covers. He wrote back to me on Halloween 2007. It was a free form poem/essay on the purpose of art. Whenever I second guess myself about art, I re-read that letter.
Do you mind sharing the insight?
@@clarkbowler157 It's hard to summarize what he wrote, but he touched on how it began as decorating a cave and that only humans make art. (This isn't necessarily accurate, as there are birds who will decorate a nesting area to attract a mate).
He mentioned humans drawing what they see to objectify images or recall memories bringing about spiritual illumination.
@@sydbarrett5 Thank You.
@@sydbarrett5 You call a bird meticulously scattering rotted fish heads and berry twigs around their stick hut so some other fat bird with shit-clumped feathers can plop on top of her and breathe his beetle-gut breath into her face ART?
Love this view. he is really an insightful and thoughtful person. Artist for sure. People should be intrigued because he is all that and more.
I want Jandek to sing at the Super Bowl
Jandek is too good for the super bowl 😏
There should be a jandek show instead of the stupid bowl❤
No. They are unworthy.
dissolves all you thought you knew about music. jandek is the ultimate palate cleanser.
I had one of the purest Jandek discoveries a person could have. In the 90s, I was a DJ at my campus radio station,, and I lust loved perusing the vault (really the sole reason I wanted to work there). There were like ten albums from a guy I'd never heard of, weirdly blank album covers with more or less the same design (except that one with a Chinese restaurant menu font). I was intrigued that a guy I'd never heard of could have so many albums (boy, did I underestimate!) and took a few home to investigate. Obviously, my listening experience just led to more questions. But there was really no way to answer those questions (the internet did exist at the time but was inchoate). I just kind of shuddered and put him to the back of my mind, but somehow I kept returning to those albums and to him. He really provided me with an amazing experience of the power of mystery and of music as purely personal expression. I very, very rarely listen to him, but I'd still consider myself a fan.
I finally procured one of his LPs--an actual vintage copy, not a repress--a month or two ago. Cost me a pretty penny but was worth it to have one of the earlier ones straight from Corwood. I'd gladly get more if the opportunity and the money sync up.
I always thought it would be hilarious if Jandek's final album is a huge, sumptuously produced epic like Dark Side Of The Moon filled with intricate guitar solos and soaring melodies. One final troll to leave the critics guessing before he fades into the ether.
That'd be amazing
I just saw him live. With a band in Los Angeles. Didn't expect it to be so psychedelic. Amazing performance.
the whole point of outsider music is that the only one person or one band could recreate this stuff. It's the exact opposite of 'anybody could do it.' Only one person could tangle up a ball of string in that exact way.
Exactly. People associate things that aren't easily patterned with being more possible than something more obviously reliant on conventional skill, and maybe these are things that someone could emulate if they're looking to send it up or pay tribute to it, but to earnestly create something along these lines? Most people couldn't. What lives in us creatively is as unique as our fingerprint and no one else out there has the same whorl as Jandek.
in mid 90's David Bowie made Earthling and Outside albums. They were the bomb, very impressive, of course no one except him and band at the time could ever play it correctly. It is unfortunate i haven't been to Outside tour because it was so different from anything out there at the time, probably even today in realm of popular music.
I learned of Jandek from Irwin Chusid's Songs in the Key of Z........ It's interesting that some folks feel the NEED to express themselves through music when most of the world doesn't notice.
Thanks for this - I watched this originally about 10 years ago, so happy for a rewatch. I hope one day his discography will appear on Spotify.
It was on bandcamp at one point
Damn. Really?
I hope his music never appears on spotify
@@louisgardner5580 why?
@@chernobylcoleslaw6698 Spotify doesn't pay artists and Jandek's mystique is better left to physical media and the reaches of youtube
Thurston Moore owes Jandek his entire sound.
Totally agree
I was just thinking exactly the same .
One record of his was enough for me ❤
This was an interesting film 😮
I am intrigued by the project but I admit the music isn't very appealing to me. But he's a real artist and I think his motives are purely on that level. I mean, he practically gives his stuff away. I just bought his book. Shipping to Europe only 3 bucks. I bet after shipping and the book cost he only made a buck or two. If that. It may have even cost him. I can't recall if this doc mentions his interview with Katy Vine. But he sounds like a relatively affluent guy with an intriguing art project he can afford to share rather than sell. And now he performs live! My guess is he retired and decided to go all in with Jandek. I wonder if he's made provisions to open the door a bit on who Sterling Smith really is....
interesting to me how responsive he is to the critics without engaging outside of his profile as an artist, but he values the critique, which to me speaks to an intention beyond making art purely for creative endeavour
I was not ready for this kind of sounds.. I agree this is how music should always be made ..I am of the mind that the musician needs to satisfy themselves when they make music,,, the free association music creation form is like how I try to go thru life. I am glad he does this ,, it is really important to have these songs and works .. that need only make sense to him.. jandek ,.. I like to make inside jokes with myself inside my head things no one hears or knows ,, and then I laugh with myself ,, I never laugh at myself because I am sorta a serious kind of person... these is where things are for me ,, the comments in yt videos besides the videos I can upload ..
This reminds me of Kazaa, Epitonic and music blogs
At last, cheers.
I really do!
thanks for sharing it
JANDEK
Very interesting being who doesn't seem to exist outside that room.
1:24:30 "The tree plain and simple can burn away, resolve itself into its chemical elements, and so forth. But the meaning-the meaning of this perception, something that belongs necessarily to its essence-cannot burn away" Husserl
Reminds me of the PINK8 film manifesto
@40:14 .. just makes me think Michael Gira was inspired by Jandek
The voice of "Nancy" on "Nancy Sings" is very Jarobe like. The same sort of haunting quality.
@@matthewcoombs3282 Damn thats a good compariso . Very similar in alot of ways.
Their most recent album The Beggar is probably their most Jandek inspired. Seeing the title track live on their tour recently felt very much like Jandek was in the room
Thought it was Eric Wareheim in the thumbnail
What’s this song at 55:54 please 🙏
I'm Ready
What's the song @ 43:07
“Upon The Grandeur” from the album One Foot In The North.
1st
nancy
2nd
leaves
3rd
could you please tell me who is the guy around 43-45ish? Please message privately. Like to know much more about all for future use.
please do reply.
George Parsons
KUDOS!!
I waNt to interview him
He's a bigger mystery at the end