Watch Jandek on Corwood

Jandek on Corwood is a 2003 documentary film that chronicles the enigmatic persona of musician Jandek and the underground music culture that surrounds him. Directed by Chad Freidrichs, the film features interviews with music critics and fans, as well as rare footage of Jandek's live performances. The film begins by introducing Jandek's music, which is notably characterized by his distinctive vocal style and unconventional acoustic guitar playing. Jandek is a reclusive musician who has released over 70 albums since 1978, all of which feature minimalist, often bleak and experimental musical compositions. Despite his massive output and devoted following, Jandek had never performed live until 2004, years after the release of this film.

Throughout the documentary, various music critics and fans discuss their fascination with Jandek's music and the role it plays in the underground music scene. Many describe his music as haunting and hypnotic, though it frequently defies easy interpretation.

The film also explores the mythology surrounding Jandek, detailing rumors that he is an unwell recluse who recorded his music in a mental institution or prison. Fans talk about their desire to meet Jandek and the disappointment they feel in being unable to do so, given his elusive nature.

The documentary then looks at the strange world of Corwood Industries, the mysterious record label that releases all of Jandek's music. To this day, the label does not have a functioning phone line or mailing address; instead, fans must mail orders in to an address in Houston, Texas. In fact, it is still unknown who runs Corwood Industries or what their connection to Jandek is.

The film includes interviews with Calvin Johnson of K Records, who describes Jandek as a "musical hero," and music critic Byron Coley, who discusses Jandek's influence on the underground music scene.

Barry Hansen, otherwise known as Dr. Demento, provides another perspective on Jandek's music in the film, comparing it to the experimental work of Captian Beefheart and Frank Zappa.

One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is the footage of Jandek's live performance in Glasgow, Scotland in 2004. The concert was highly anticipated, due to the fact that Jandek had never performed live before. The film includes interviews with concertgoers who describe the intensity and eeriness of the performance, as well as footage of Jandek performing on stage with two other musicians.

Overall, Jandek on Corwood is a fascinating glimpse into the enigmatic world of Jandek and the underground music scene. The film is sure to be of interest to fans of experimental music and anyone interested in the intersection of music, mythology, and cult culture.

Jandek on Corwood is a 2004 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 54.