Jad Fair
In 1974, Jad Fair co-founded the lo-fi alternative rock group Half Japanese with his brother David. Over the ensuing three decades, Half Japanese released nearly 30 records, and attracted a solid base of fans passionate about the band’s pure, unbridled enthusiasm for rock and roll in the process. Jad also performs and records as a solo artist, occasionally collaborating with such musicians as Daniel Johnston, Teenage Fanclub, Moe Tucker (of Velvet Underground), Yo La Tengo, Steve Shelly and Thurston Moore (of Sonic Youth), John Zorn, Kramer, and more.
Jad’s talent for album cover design (he designed many of Half Japanese’s and all of his own solo album covers) led him to a second career as visual artist. His simple, joyous drawings and intricate paper cuttings are shown in galleries around the world. Books of his artwork have been published in the U.S., UK, Germany, France, and Japan.