Today, Captured Tracks, Sharp Film and Larson Media have launched a Kickstarter campaign for the forthcoming documentary, The Jangling Man, the untold story of Cleaners From Venus’ Martin Newell. Though it would be wrong to say Newell is an “unknown“, he has never been directly in the limelight over the years and this film brings to light the amazing career and life work of the artist.
Martin Newell on The Jangling Man: “A film? About me? I’ve often wondered why that camera crew kept popping up everywhere. How marvelous! Can’t wait to see it.”
The documentary is being shot, directed and produced by James Sharp, co-produced and edited by Jim Larson, and features unseen performances and never-before-released footage from the extent of his career along with interviews from from John Cooper Clarke, Dave Gregory (XTC), Iain McNay (Cherry Red), Mac Demarco, Jessica Pratt, Zachary Cole Smith (DIIV), Jack Tatum (Wild Nothing) and more. The Kickstarter will be selling limited, exclusive merch, releases and more to help fund the project. Captured Tracks will also be reissuing Martin Newell’s acclaimed 1995 release, The Off-White Album, on vinyl for the first time. Kickstarters customers are able to pre-order it now as a reward for backing the documentary.
Considered by many to be an influential figure in the history of cassette culture and DIY recording, Martin has been an integral part of the British music scene since the 1970s, from glam rock and pop, to jazz, all the while keeping his glittery shimmer. He’s been produced by XTC’s Andy Partridge, and written for the likes of Captain Sensible of The Damned. Newell has also toured extensively with members of the Damned as his own backing band. During the 1990s Newell was one of the UK’s most-published poets as well as an established…gardener. It’s no wonder he has influenced the likes of Alphaville, MGMT, and Ariel Pink, to name a few. The life of Martin Newell may be one of the greatest untold stories of the music world.
