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Scottish-based arts co-op publishes Jandek "biography"

Stephen Ritchie | 17.11.2006 11:14 | Culture | Migration | Other Press | World

Acclaimed outsider musician Jandek is the subject of a "fictional biography", published by internationalist arts co-operative Single Cell Press this week. The book, written by American author and lecturer Danen Jobe is an ode to the legendarily reclusive outsider musician, but also deals heavily with a migratory America and the music which provided its soundtrack.

"Niagra Blues: Slingerland" by Danen Jobe - out now from Single Cell Press
"Niagra Blues: Slingerland" by Danen Jobe - out now from Single Cell Press


Houston, TX; for the last 30 years, an obscure artist known only as 'Jandek' has recorded and self-released no less than 47 albums of what can only be described as 'experimental' folk/blues on his own Corwood label. The majority of these albums until recently had featured the artist singing accompanied only by a seemingly untuned guitar.

Shunning publicity, Jandek has played only a handful of live shows, refusing altogether to play live until 2004, but nonetheless has built a huge worldwide fanbase that extends far beyond the "outsider" tag he is often lumped with. In recent years, Jandek has come out of his shell, touring, releasing DVD's and entering a new creative period of his life, acknowledged by many as being a hugely talented and influential singer-songwriter.

With this, internationalist publishing collective Single Cell Press is proud to present a tribute to the man and his musical legacy. This month SCP release Danen Jobe's keenly anticipated (and, for the record, completely fictional!) retelling of Jandek's life - "Niagra Blues: Slingerland" (available from www.singlecellpress.co.uk ) This piece is a portrait of a migratory America and the music that provided its soundtrack, with all biographical details gleamed from song lyrics and Jandek fans' rather... 'colourful' theories about rocknroll's mystery man.

Written and released with the co-operation of Corwood Industries, this book is the perfect accompaniment to Jandek's music, but sits just as easily as a piece of quality literature aside from the backstory. Thre book's author Danen Jobe is a lecturer at the University of Arkansas where he has recently been made writer-in-residence.

The book is available now from Single Cell Press' website through their online store, at www.singlecellpress.co.uk .

Ends

"Niagra Blues: Slingerland" by Danen D. Jobe
OUT NOW on www.singlecellpress.co.uk
SINGLE CELL PRESS 2006

Stephen Ritchie
- e-mail: info@singlecellpress.co.uk
- Homepage: http://www.singlecellpress.co.uk

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