How Jazz Cow Became the Hero of 2025’s Counter-Culture

Introducing Jazz Cow, the character, not the show.

I've already introduced you to Dr. Popp, but it seems rude not to introduce you to Jazz Cow, the star of the show.

We live in an age where we desperately need a countercultural hero. But what, you might ask, is the culture we need to counter? Well, I couldn't put it better than the brilliantly insightful song, Children of the Internet:

"Bro, I've seen a heart of a hood turn trendy
Kids lose interest, parks turn empty
Social media has got us all less friendly
Now can't you see the irony?”¹

In an algorithm-dominated world, Jazz Cow is the countercultural hero we've longed for. The snag? He's not exactly itching for a fight; he just wants to jam with his band and live a good old-fashioned, face-to-face life.

He isn't your typical hero—he'd rather spend his days blowing his sax hanging out with his friends. For ages, I struggled with the idea that "He's a bit too passive for a hero, isn't he?" But one day, it clicked when I was rewatching Casablanca. Rick isn't actually cynical; it's just a facade, a cool exterior masking a fuming passion.² The same goes for Jazz Cow. When push comes to shove, this cow's laid-back vibe hides a zeal for justice. He might say things like, "I'd rather save my leather," but behind those jaded words, he won't let injustice win. With loyal friend Pudding Face's encouragement, Jazz Cow steps up.

His independent spirit can lead to ego problems, and his defiance of authority can sometimes push him too far. He wonders why everyone can't just let him and his neighbours enjoy jazz, painting, chess, reading books, and slow food without interference, especially from the likes of Dr. Popp, who seeks to enforce efficiency. 

Jazz Cow's community is a jumble, each person pursuing their own vision. Yet, he believes in the transformative power of music. His leadership reflects jazz itself—collaborative, where each artist shines while contributing to a greater whole. As the lone cow among humans, he feels a responsibility to help others rediscover humanity through creativity and connection.

Jazz Cow threatens not only Dr. Popp but all respectable society, who fear his potential to unite creative tribes like a modern-day Genghis Khan but with horns. They dread poets hurling sonnets, painters splattering colours, chefs crafting slow-food, and jazz musicians playing unconventional harmonies—all under Jazz Cow's banner.

Why does he hate Dr. Popp? Dr Popp thrives on formulas; it's easy to monetise, at least for a while. His desire to replace inspiration with a factory production line is not new. A couple of years back, I did Marshall Vandruff's excellent storytelling course;³ he made a passing comment about "The Plot Genie"⁴ a kind story-generating method for the 1930s. But it fizzled out, and today, Hollywood sees predictable blockbuster franchises come to the same fate. Who enjoys foreseeing the entire film within its opening scenes? Jazz Cow vehemently opposes formulas. In his world, reinventing the wheel every time is essential. Jazz represents the complete opposite of formulas, though he may not realise he can take it way too far.

Let's rewind a bit. I often refer to him as "a jazz-playing cow," but what exactly does that mean? He's the only humanoid animal, but what kind of jazz musician is he? Just as Miles Davis varies from Fats Waller, Esperanza Spalding from Jelly Roll Morton, and from Bill Evans to Shabaka Hutchings—the variety of jazz musicians' personalities is endless.

So, what kind of musician is our beloved cow? Jazz Cow embodies the refinement of Duke Ellington, often seen with a book by Langston Hughes, Albert Murray, or Shakespeare in hand. But he's grounded in street culture, with dialogue with a film noir hard-boiled style. Like the bebop legends of the past, he prioritises artistry over theatrics—no "jazz hands" for him; he's a serious musician deserving of respect, yet he retains the playful charm of Dizzy Gillespie.

Jazz Cow isn't just a world-class saxophonist; he also possesses keen senses of hearing and smell, along with impressive parkour skills. Keep an eye out for this countercultural revolutionary, embodying the spirit of Gil Scott-Heron, like a modern-day prophet challenging the power of big tech with his unworkable gospel of Luddism. Who will join Jazz Cow's resistance?

You can now be notified when we launch on Kickstarter.

If you enjoyed this why not pass it on to a friend, if you are that friend please sign up below for occasional updates about our journey to create Jazz Cow an animated sitcom. Thank you.

1. Future Utopia – 12 Questions (2020, Vinyl) - Discogs Dave, Es Devlin, and Future Utopia

2. It is actually the same in other Bogart films, eg. The Matisse Falcon

3. https://www.marshallart.com

4. Plot Genie Wycliffe A. Hill