Daniel Johnston sells the couch

He is one of those underground artists that influenced other artists with his unique style. He has been covered by artists like Beck and Death Cab for Cutie.

I don't think he ever had a commercial success -- or really sought out commercial success, but played in small venues in places like Austin in the 80s. He lived in a mental institution for a number of years.

I'd hear his stuff once in a while on KEXP but it never really registered who it was, I often mistook his stuff for the work of other artists, such as maybe the Violent Femmes or other edgy groups.

KEXP did a tribute to him after he passed and I feel like I've discovered an entire world of weird yet somewhat interesting music. They said he recorded most of his stuff by himself on a boombox and would pass out tapes he made to people waiting in line at concerts.

He has some awesome lines in his lyrics such as "I had a flat tire on memory lane" in this second video.
 
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I was super bummed about this. He wrote one of my favorite songs:

Hey Marseilles (local band, one of my favs) did a great cover:
 
I was super bummed about this. He wrote one of my favorite songs:

Hey Marseilles (local band, one of my favs) did a great cover:
Click to expand...

Saw Hey Marseille at bumber a couple years ago. They put on a great show.
 
This is amazing.

He was a big influence on Cobain. Never heard him until now. I missed an entire movement.
 
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