Watch The Family Jams

The Family Jams is a music documentary film that explores the lives and careers of four highly original and talented indie folk musicians: Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, and the bands Vetiver and Espers. The film is directed by Kevin Barker and features Alissa Anderson, Anohni, Meg Baird, and other musicians. The film follows these four artists as they travel through Europe on a tour of their music. Along the way, we get to see them perform live on stage and speak about their personal lives, music experiences, and ideas about music. The film combines footage from concerts, interviews with the artists, and scenes from everyday life to create a portrait of four unique musicians who are united by their musical vision and love for folk music.

Joanna Newsom is a harpist and singer-songwriter who has been praised for her poetic and intricate songwriting. In the film, we see her perform songs from her album 'Ys' as well as more recent material. Newsom is a charismatic presence on stage, and her interviews reveal a thoughtful and reflective artist who is deeply committed to her music.

Devendra Banhart is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who has been associated with the freak folk movement. In the film, we see him perform songs from his album 'Cripple Crow' as well as other material. Banhart is a lively and engaging performer who connects well with his audience. His interviews reveal his quirky and humorous personality as well as his deep love of folk music.

Vetiver is a band led by Andy Cabic that blends folk, rock, and pop influences. In the film, we see them perform songs from their album 'Thing Of The Past' as well as other material. The band members are all accomplished musicians who have a great chemistry on stage. Their interviews reveal a deep respect for the history of folk music as well as a desire to experiment and explore new sounds.

Espers is a psychedelic folk band featuring Meg Baird, Greg Weeks, and Brooke Sietinsons. In the film, we see them perform songs from their album 'II' as well as other material. The band members are all talented musicians who create a dreamy and hypnotic atmosphere with their music. Their interviews reveal a deep connection to the spiritual and mystical aspects of folk music.

Overall, The Family Jams is a fascinating and inspiring documentary that celebrates the creativity and passion of four indie folk musicians. The film shows us how these artists have found their own unique voice within the folk music genre and how they continue to explore and push the boundaries of what folk music can be. The Family Jams is a must-see for anyone who loves music or is interested in the creative process behind making music.

The Family Jams is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.