THE FAMILY JAMS
THE Family Jams
Kevin Barker, 2010
An evocative portrait of youthful possibility, The Family Jams follows Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom and Vetiver as they tour the USA in 2004 playing their unique music for a newly growing audience. The film is an intimate portrait of life on the road for these young musicians early in their careers, playing tiny, obscure clubs and art galleries, but on the verge of larger success before their small, intimate vans are replaced by large, impersonal tour busses. Also featuring appearances and performances by Antony and the Johnsons, Espers, Meg Baird, The Pleased and Linda Perhacs.
Featuring: Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, Vetiver, Kevin Barker, Antony & The Johnsons, Espers & Linda Perhacs
Festivals: Sarasota Film Festival, Revelation Perth Film Festival, Noise Pop, Melbourne International Film Festival & CPH:DOX
PURCHASE
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PRESS
"Family Jams may not ever attain the stature of, say, a concert film like D. A. Pennebaker’s Don't Look Back. But it should, as a record of musicians in youthful flower, sharing a loose, heartfelt camaraderie and lack of pretension. ”
– Andy Webster, Critics Pick: New York Times
"Time makes Mr. Barker’s modest film a more valuable pop-culture artifact than he might have imagined, but its charms guarantee enjoyable viewing even if these folks had vanished into obscurity.”
– Ronnie Scheib, Variety
"A curiously effective musical docu that captures the raw dynamics of collective creativity... JAMS affords the opportunity to hang with gifted, genre-defying fringe artists at a pivotal point in their evolving careers."
– Steve Dollar, The Wall Street Journal
“This movie follows the road we all wish we could take.”
– Liza Darwin, Nylon
“Fascinating, Intimate. Great music, non-sequitur-filled exchanges and some genuinely dramatic moments."”
– New York Magazine