- How did you get into Jandek? What is your ‘story’?
Although I had lived in Texas for 13 years previously, I don’t recall hearing of Jandek until I had moved to Seattle, WA in 2000. I was working in a little office in an almost empty floor of an office building with little to do but read articles on the internet all day. Somehow I stumbled across the Texas Monthly article, and then moved on to Seth Tisue’s site.
The first two Jandek keys that matched up for me were Houston, Texas (where I had gone to high school and where my parents still live) and Daniel Johnston, whom I love dearly and I initially associated with Jandek as a Texas outsider artist. Hearing my first Jandek record, though, it was clear they had radically different visions.
- How do you define being a Jandek fan? Do you consider yourself a Jandek fan?
I guess you’re a Jandek fan if you own a Jandek record. Certainly if you own more than one. Not to state the obvious, but one either loves or completely ignores the representative from Corwood. Yes, I consider myself a Jandek fan - I have most of the records.
- Why did you join the mailing list? How often do you post? Do you receive posts in digest format?
I joined to start getting updates when Jandek began playing live, last August. Prior to that I read the archives on Seth Tisue’s site. I do receive the posts in digest format. I actually haven’t posted anything... yet.
- What do your friends and family think about Jandek? What do they think about you listening to Jandek?
My family doesn’t think anything about Jandek, which is fine. It’s a topic that’s never come up. A couple of my friends enjoy Jandek (I think), but I wouldn’t say they’re fans, i.e., I don’t think they own records. One friend went with me to see Jandek live in Austin and enjoyed it throughly. I saw Jandek on Corwood with another friend and she seemed to enjoy the film, but never really expressed her opinions about his music. Bad sign? Maybe. I know she’s given it a chance, though.
I’m protective of my Jandek records with my friends. I know how little he’s likely to appeal to most so I don’t really offer to make copies of his stuff. I’m a little touchy that people are interested stritcly for the “myth of Jandek” or Jandek as a circus sideshow and would rather them seek it out themselves because they want to. Plus, I’ve been asked for compilations and in my view Jandek’s music doesn’t lend itself to compilations.
- To what extent does the ‘myth of Jandek’ – the mystery surrounding his identity – appeal to you?
At first, the myth was appealing and all-encompassing. Now it's only one part of the whole universe, and a pretty minor one at that. Mainly because I know who he is and a lot of other little stuff about him on top of that. I have a friend whose friends live right down the street from him and we started talking at a wedding and, well, there went the mystery. I really, really enjoy the Jandek music I enjoy. Not all of his output, but a lot of it. That’s what matters to me. There’s mystery in all art, not in bare fact of an artist’s identity.
The endless loop of identity speculation (on the list) is sort of sad to me. I am tempted to put my (dispositive) two cents in at time but don’t - mainly out of respect for how the representative from Corwood has chosen to pursue his art but also because I’m not sure half the people would believe me or care and the speculation train would just roll on, unaware and/or unconcerned.
- Have you ever tried to contact Corwood Industries or Sterling Smith for reasons other than placing an order? What happened?
I’ve only contacted him for orders. I’ve thanked him for his Austin show and shared my opinions on the performance. He wrote back, “THANKS”. That’s it.
- What is your perception of other Jandek fans?
Like I’ve said before, a lot the speculators seem to barking up the wrong tree - there’s so very much to get out of Jandek besides his “mysterious” identity, etc. And it was the initial hook for me to discover his music, so I can’t act all holier-than-thou. The Jandek fans I met at the Austin show, though, were totally cool and lots of fun to talk with about the Man, and about art and life in general. I guess Jandek fans have a bond linking them that fans of few other artists do. Not elitist, though I suppose it can turn that way unchecked. Jandek is not the easiest artist to get in to - first you have to hear about him, then you have get a few albums, and work through those to get a feel for whether it speaks to you in some way. So he’s “our” Jandek, and I think that’s because what he’s doing is brilliant in a way most people don't get. Not for better or worse, just different. But we see it.
- Why do you like Jandek? How often do you listen to Jandek?
I love the catharsis. I enjoy the tension of the dissonance and bleakness versus the melody and humor. I love the unblinking revelation of pain/despair side by side with the joy of creating art. I admire that he’s got a vision that he pursues doggedly, especially since he was living this very grown-up “double life” for so long. Plus I like dissonant guitar, so there you go.
I listen to about two or three Jandek records a week. Some weeks I won’t listen to any, other weeks a lot more. I have 21 albums on my iPod and a lot more than that at home.
- What other music do you listen to?
A lot of minimalist, avant, jazz, classical, indie and punk rock. Steve Reich, J.S. Bach, and the Ramones would probably be my off-the-top-of-my-head favorites.
- Is there anything I have not asked that you would like to tell me?
Jandek live (saw him in Austin 8/05) was maybe one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. He really is an incredible improvisor and guitar player.
‡‡‡ok, now you:
1. How did you get into Jandek? What is your "story"?
2. How do you define being a Jandek fan? Do you consider yourself a Jandek fan?
3. Why did you join the mailing list? How often do you post? Do you receive posts in digest format?
4. What do your friends and family think about Jandek? What do they think about you listening to Jandek?
5. To what extent does the "myth of Jandek" – the mystery surrounding his identity – appeal to you?
6. Have you ever tried to contact Corwood Industries or Sterling Smith for reasons other than placing an order? What happened?
7. What is your perception of other Jandek fans?
8. Why do you like Jandek? How often do you listen to Jandek?
9. What other music do you listen to?
10. Is there anything I have not asked that you would like to tell me?
it's a meme, i guess. so approach with abandon or caution, as appropriate.
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