Newsom, Banhart and Antony in New Documentary

Newsom, Banhart and Antony in New Documentary

No New Newsom is Now Growing Oldsome
If you are like me, you have been hitting your head over anything close enough to hit your head over wondering when Joanna Newsom was going to come out with new material. The Joanna Newsom and the Y's Street Band Ep came out two years ago, and though interesting, it has not been enough to satiate my hunger for warbly voiced labyrinthine, baroquely orchestral folk gems of near perfection. That being said, the excruciating wait continues as Newsom does whatever she does in complete reclusion. Maybe she hangs out with Thomas Pynchon?

So naturally, in order to capitalize on mindless followers like me, Currituck Co. frontman Kevin Barker is releasing a documentary that consists of 2004 tour footage from Newsom, Devendra Banhart, Antony and the Johnsons and others. The film is called The Family Jams (which, as it turns out, is a terrible choice for the title as it is shared by an album made by Charles Manson). It is set to premier at The Sarasota Film Festival on April 2 and 3 (via P4k). According to the synopsis, the film is "brimming with beautiful footage of intimate live shows," and "is more than just a revealing portal into a very special moment in time. It reflects the engaging spirit of a special group of artists connected by their passion for music and care for one another." Touching.

Actually this trailer looks fantastic. Anything set to Joanna's music will have a difficult time being bad.

Still no word on whether or not this film will be playing at SIFF, but I sure hope so. For more "freak folk" documentary goodness, check out Eternal Children.

Download Joanna Newsom "Bridges and Balloons" - Milk Eyed Mender (2004)

Download Decemberists "Bridges and Balloons (Joanna Newsom Cover)" - Picaresqueties (2005)