Jandek

Biography

Sterling Richard Smith, 26 October 1945, Ohio, USA. This Houston, Texas, USA-based enigmatic figure self-released his first album of uniquely unsettling, self-exploratory folk blues in 1978. The epitome of an independent and cult artist, by 2006 Jandek had issued over an album per year without use of traditional distribution or recording methods. Succinct advertisements appeared in the American underground music press, containing only the artist’s name and the PO Box number and address of his label, Corwood Industries.

Undoubtedly a major influence on Smog and Will Oldham, two key figures of the American independent scene in the 90s and 00s, Jandek’s music places the onus on performance as a cathartic process, rather than an opportunity to display musical skill. Critics remain divided by his childlike guitar playing and uncomfortably honest vocal delivery. Most of the tracks on the 1978 debut Ready For The House feature the repeated...

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