Reclusive Outsider Musician Jandek Plays Live
Houston Recording Artist Stuns Avant Scene with Rare Performances
Much speculation has been made over the true identity of the mysterious singer/songwriter Jandek, and his equally obscure record label, Corwood Industries. For over 25 years, the artist released album after album of twisted, ghostly, and utterly unique songs that crooned a tale of despair.
Albums like his debut LP release, Ready for the House (1978), were distributed to college radio stations where the music found curious ears. When radio DJ's wrote the PO Box listed on the back of the record looking for more information, they quickly learned that the music itself and the haunting cover images were the only information they were going to get. Interviews were eschewed with handwritten responses such as "Questions, etc can't be arranged."
The very idea that a musician would produce albums so consistently while shunning media attention, performance, and almost any kind of promotion only served to pique interest in the few listeners he had.
Through the years, Jandek's output got even weirder, moving away from his classic man-alone-in-a-room-with-detuned-guitar sound and into new territory; Your Turn To Fall (1983) featured drums played with reckless abandon and Put My Dream on this Planet (2000) began a trilogy of spoken word albums. A growing cult audience reveled in the musician's absolute irreverence toward any kind of rock convention.
Documentary attracts Demand for Live Concert
In July of 2004, a documentary entitled Jandek on Corwood told the Jandek story through the eyes of music journalists, know-it-all record collectors, and long time fans. Unlike most music documentaries, there is no actual footage of the man behind all of those records.
In the film, the hypothetical idea of a Jandek performance is discussed. As the DVD passed from fans to newcomers, Jandek's following began to ask the same question- just when would there ever be a live Jandek concert?
Glasgow Sunday and the Troubadour in Waiting
Jandek played his first ever concert on October 17th, 2004 in Glasgow, Scotland as part of the Instal Festival, accompanied by Richard Youngs on bass, and Alexander Neilson on drums. The name Jandek did not appear on any of the promotional material for the festival. Some members of the audience, in disbelief, recognized the man from his album covers and could not mistake the sound for any other. Word quickly spread that Jandek had indeed performed, and about six months later another concert was announced.
At this point, Jandek has now played concerts in the U.K., Belgium, Finland, Canada, Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, and all over the U.S. Each concert is played with an entirely new cast of players, usually local experimental musicians, and is then often followed by a live CD and DVD released on Corwood.
Jandek is typically on guitar and vocals, but has also performed live on piano, drums, bass, and keyboards. He has been accompanied by instruments as diverse as trumpet, saxophone, bass, drums, guitar, interpretive dance, theremin, laptop, keyboards, peddle steel guitar, harp, flute, viola, xylophone, and voice.
It is safe to say no two Jandek performances are alike. Jandek has yet to sing the same piece twice, or perform any tracks from his albums. Instead, it seems he writes all new material for each concert.
Some concerts have come close to resembling genres like Rock, Noise, Free Jazz, Funk, and Classical, but there is always that creative force driving the music that can only truly be described as Jandek.
The Mystery Continues
Those hoping to meet the man after the show will be disappointed. He packs up and seems to disappear after each concert. His CD's are not sold at gigs and remain available only through the Corwood Industries mailing address.
Jandek never speaks during the live sets, although his lyrics tell a story of a man struggling with meaning, love, and depression. As it was when curious fans only had the albums to analyze for clues, the mystery of Jandek the performer is just as concealed.
For further information and a detailed history of Jandek's recorded work, follow Seth Tisue's Guide to Jandek.
Jandek Performs in Boston
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