- PureMusic.com
Narrated by Academy Award® Winner Forest Whitaker, BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES is an unsettling and inspiring look at today’s popular music industry featuring interviews and performances by Erykah Badu, Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, Branford Marsalis, ?uestlove and a wide variety of others. The documentary film has built a passionate following as “the most important film a music fan will ever see” (XM Radio) by providing “a balanced overview of the state of the rock scene of America” (The Wall Street Journal) and adding “passion to the eternal debate about the industry” (The New York Times).
Last year, BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES filmmakers Andrew Shapter and Joel Rasmussen walked away from traditional Hollywood distribution to instead pursue a large-scale grassroots release with B-Side Entertainment. Since its release in November 2006, the film has screened over 200 times in over 130 North American markets with hundreds of additional events anticipated worldwide during 2007. Use this site to learn more about the film, where you can see it, ways you can own it, and - most importantly - how you can get involved in sharing it with others.
I really enjoyed the movie and bought two extra copies to give to friends. Like all art forms, we play, write, and perform because we love it. It has always been a struggle for artist to survive from the fruits of their creations and that will continue. I wrote my first song in 7th grade (1963) and my latest song two weeks ago. I have chosen an engineering career to pay the bills but my first love is always music. As I prepare to retire, more and more of my time is devoted to writing and recording.
I don’t think that the music will ever die as much as we as individuals will have to look harder to find the great talent. That sad thing is that the industry is shooting itself in the foot. Record sales are down because of the quality of artist they are promoting. When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn.
I have a friend, Vyktoria Pratt Keating (www.vyktoria.com), whom all things being equal would be in the forefront of music, and I speak humbly in awe of her talent having been in all aspects of music for nearly fifty years. All things are not equal. They have not been for many years, since business people realized the profits to be made in “disposable” music and musicians. Vyk works harder than anyone I know, booking her own shows, lugging her own equipment, all for that moment on stage to open herself totally to anyone who can focus long enough to go with her. There have always been these rare artists, some famous, some not, who will still be playing when the corporates have retired, and they are why the music will never die.
the only religion now is money.they don’t see it as art they see it as investment.even the governments begin to act like if their country is a big firm and they run it like that.sad…
Too little, far too late. This should’ve been done 20 years ago. If you wanted the truth then maybe you can speak to the musicans who are actually have to struggle to survive . Marsalis? Elvis Costello??? DAVE MATTHEWS!!!??? These “musicans” are f-ing RICH!!!! It is of no concidence that they also get the most screen time as well. I am a Jazz musican living in NYC. We’re a dead breed. We thought the masses actually had the intellectual capacity to understand art. 50 years worth of dumbing them down with shite music and tv fixed that. By the way, the diamonds on your “Bling” came from slave workers in Africa. Good Day!
It’s a shame that music today, like for young black women, consists of a bunch of pretty women with big behinds and/or big breast, doing overkills with adlibs in there songs, showing as much skin as possible and claiming to be Christian while doing it, singing about nothing but being in love, and a bunch of stuff about having sex, and not singing about anything that has to do with informing people or transforming the world? I’m a singer and I wouldn’t want to be forced to be this way. What happened to those days when people sung about feeding the children and overcoming homelessness. Why is it all about money, clothes, cars, and $100,000 engagement rings? I haven’t seen the film yet. I’ve only seen short bits of it on utube. I hope I’ll get to see it soon. But it would be great if things I just mentioned were focused on a bit more. I still like some of the music today, but I think to much of it is materializm and there’s so much more to life than how much you can aquire, how beautiful you are, and who you’re in love with.
Lots of people seem to be throwing around the word success.
They keep complaining about themselves or another artist not getting signed/exposure/deal/cash, etc. while some “talentless” pop artist is pulling in millions.
If you want to make/play music… be a musician and do it in a way you see fit.
In a way that makes you happy… and f*ck the rest.
I improvised and recorded a little riff last night. It’s sloppy and done on a cheap portable recorder.
But everytime I listen to it, it rocks me and makes me happy… success!
I might even play it out at my next gig.
If you want people to hear your music because you think they might like it, etc… consider giving it away - street/interent/live, whatever.
Not saying don’t make money with your music, just don’t try to link what you consider artistic talent with cash.
If you want to make money with your music, then take your music and venture into the business side.
Just don’t try to seperate the two while your trying to mix them.
I disagree completely with the premise of this movie, which is basically “old is good, new is bad” I grew up on the “who and the the rolling stones” and I like that music because I’m old and sentimental. But I never con myself that pop music is just that, popular music with the same hooks and “tension release, 4/4″ format that gets copied over and over. Ashley simpson gets a hit with a tape effect instead of her voice, who cares? If i like I’m listening and I’m 44. I turned this movie off after 30 minutes, Erykah Badhair has sour grapes because she has limited talent!, not because of today’s music industry. Rod Stewart made a lot of money because he made some cheesey records when a platinum record set you up for life. that doesnt happen anymore, and it was only a brief time in history when it did.
The internet is the future of music, sell recordings directly to your fans and get out and perform for your dinner like musicians had to do a thousand years ago. When i listened to the who on wonderful FM radio, i didnt get to hear some great band from papua, new guinea or a folk trio from croatia. Now my kids can hear them whenver they want, and its revolutionary. Don’t live in the past, like network TV, the commercial recording industry is dead forever and thank god for it. the best iin music is yet to come.
It’s hard to know where to begin. Are we just pissed off because we aren’t the ones making all the money, even though we actually have talent? I’ve been playing in my current band for over two years and have enjoyed a lot of local success and all in all I have been satisfied with that. Sure it would be nice to make a living creating and performing, but just because I can’t do that doesn’t mean I can’t write music at all. I’m just grateful that there is still a local scene where I can check out new bands. It is a sad feeling knowing that there isn’t much point in turning on the radio anymore, but I can at least get some comfort knowing that there are still local musicians creating good music. I hope I “retire” long before those days are gone.
Great work …….
The music today is part of the reason why we have so many problems circling our societies today .
Music is being used as a drug instead of as a medicine and young people are getting hooked on the worst kind of crack .
Peace
Alexander .
I am watching this movie now on IFC and still trying to make up my mind about it. I agree with the message, but a quote by Bono and the spotlight on Dave Mathews…Come on. I don’t listen to the radio, except for Public Radio and Sports, but aren’t The Dave Mathews Band and U2 prime Clear Channel “light hits” super stars?
Wow. I just watched this film on IFC, and it resonated deeply with many of the frustrations that I have felt but not yet consciously expressed.
I play for a recording artist (Matt Papa, www.MattPapa.com) who was signed for his debut album (independently recorded) and dropped after the album had no radio hit.
Matt is one of those raw talents. Electric g, acoustic g, keys, vocals (no auto-tune required) - he does them all impressively at his performances.
The Christian music industry is particularly nasty because there is no significant radio opportunity for anything but Inspirational or Adult Contemporary genres.
We are recording a new indie album, which sounds more like the Foo Fighters, the Killers, Rufus Wainwright, Muse, and Keith Green than any CCM. Too much faith for mainstream; too much rock for Christian.
And what about the producers & engineers who are actually putting together the arrangements, tracks, and songs while the “artist” takes the credit??
Thanks for making this movie!
Hello All-
My name is Marv. i own an indie label called B&M Records, Inc out of Portland, Oregon…our artist is Liv Warfield…an amazing soul singer…opened for Dave Matthews, Robert Randolph, The Roots etc…
We’ve managed to get the attention of radio station, booking agents, and many other peeps who can help us with getting our music out there…and what we’ve discovered is that the “thing” they called music in todays world has a firm grip on them all… One guy said to me…”if you were in my position, you would do the same…i’ve been in this business for 20 years+, and its time i set myself up for security…because uncle same ain’t sure doing it”.
now this is one guy out of hundreds with the “you pay me…and i might be able to help you”…lol, i asked myself, how did it get this way? i find myself saying…F*it, we can do this!! its hard work, but so is listening to a 17 year old talking about how hard her life is, or she can’t find true love…
I\\\’ve seen this film twice on IFC…each time i become more hopefull and excited about what we can expect in the future. My son is a in an independent band, The Dap Kings, who have achieved somesuccess while maintaining their integrity and independence. Thank you for this movie!!!
i saw this documentary on IFC and it was really inspirational and is so true, a lot of new “singers” today is about nonsense, i love this movie and im going to buy it when i get my next paycheck.
I have now watched B4MD twice and was pretty much knocked over by the performances and the facts. I am a middle-ager who has been listening to a wide range of music all of my life (our house had lots of jazz, big-band, Kingston Trio, etc. on constantly). I have pretty much stopped listening to FM except for some classic rock and PBS (these have fallen to the dreaded playlist as well). My chosen avenues for music these days are XM, the Internet, and my own playlist on my ipod. I started filling up my mp3 files a few years ago with the various P2P sites, but moved to iTunes when someone explained the realities of music rights to me (I don’t mind paying a little).
Thanks for such a great film.
Just saw this doc. today. I’ve been a Doyle fan since Arc Angels. And own(and always will) all his releases
I am a bit confused about the whole corporate radio thing though.
1970’s……. did’nt FM blossom from AMs’ redundancy?
1980’s……. I listened to REO Speedwagon because it was on the radio, came home from college
with every Elvis Costello album.
1990’s……. We were drinking Poison to get to Nirvana. then “Sony” bought “tough and go”(or was
it Caroline?)
2000’s ……. hip hop has apparently died
Radio is Corporate get over it
Record labels are corporate get over it.
There are no good acting parts for Black Women.
Bill cheated on Hillary.
There is no Easter Bunny.
The bill that was passed, to allow radio to be (basically)monopolized, has done more than pre empt the king biscuit flower hour
Among other things it has severely damaged our rural areas’ emergency response systems.
Instead of a local station,where information can be found in case of a disaster, they only
have the emergency broadcast system (beeeeeeep) and My Chem, or Brit, or Kanye
Not that they would’nt be comforting in the time of disaster
Don’t worry about the music, its like water it will seek its own path.
Besides
The music has long been dead,
but relax. It won’t be the first time.
I saw it on IFC. I hope that things have become “bad enough” so that things will change for the better, for all…
I caught it on IFC. I hope things have become \\
This documentary was incredible, kudos. The current state of music tastes among the masses in America is a representation of the larger picture of the increase of laziness in America. The more that Americans are too lazy (or too disinterested) to explore and educate themselves and their children on the history of music, the less and less creative and original the mass music scene will continue to become.
As someone who has worked in various aspects of the industry machine (Interscope Records, Clear Channel Radio), I think that the general distaste and distrust portrayed for large corporations is a bit unfair. Nobody mentions all the positive aspects that Clear Channel Radio has over local schools and communities and I think that’s a side that people don’t get to hear. Clear Channel Urban in particular does a fantastic job of promoting local artists and I can remember NUMEROUS promotions and contests that included Questlove and the Roots. I agree that Clear Channel needs to diversify its’ playlists, but Clear Channel isn’t the evil monster everyone thinks it is.
I think the most important thing to take from this film is that motivation and education is the key to ushering in a new era of music in American history.
-Zachary
I just watched it on IFC too and Im proud of everyone who helped to produce it for us. I saw some bands I was familiar with, Im a long time dave matthews band fan, a new my morning jacket fan, and I learned about some new artists that I didnt know about. Thanks for spreading the good word!
Finallly there is a film that exposes the Music Industry giant in it’s true Nature! !
The Fall babylon
I just saw Before the Music Dies on IFC. I\\\’m 20 and the the fact that my generation is almost a walking MTV playlist sickens me. Finally someone speaks the truth about what is happening to todays music! Great film!
As person who has followed indie music (started with Husker Du et al) much of his conscious life since teen years, this movie screamed what I have been saying for the past 25 years. Pop music geared to keep people in line. Even Matt Groening picked up on that a few years ago and worked it into a Simpsons episode. Now, we see 3 Doors Down and Godsmack doing songs for the US Military.. What the hell is that about? It’s about control of our minds; who has it and who wants it.
Don’t give up what is yours. Think for yourself. I thought one of the great lines early in the film was when the guy asked the Britnetards if her music made them think like Bob Dylan’s music made people think in the 60’s; if it inspired them to do anything radical like use their brain and think about what’s happening in the world. It was met with blank stares. “What?? We should use our brains??”
In this technological world, people are becoming increasingly more emotionally separate from one another. No matter how many capital letter you use, texted and emails cannot convey the emotion of the human voice or the eyes. In pop music they use technology to make voices better. Can you say Ashley Simpson? How about Milli Vanilli??
Thank you for this movie.
Great job! Saw this for the first time right before all the Superbowl junk got crammed down my throat. Put everything in perspective. Still a good game if you can ignore all the ads.
Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Watching this film felt like taking that first sip of cool water after walking the desert for too long. Thank you for the riveting reality check.
This generation has been so bamboozled. They have been fed dog food and told by the marketing machine that it was filet mignon.
And so it is embarrassing and humiliating to hear this generation as they wildly run to buy more dog food…and they don’t that they are being used as pawns in the greatest dumbing down initiative of all time.
By the time they figure it out on their own, the industry will be long dead and so will our culture. And so, I say to all REAL artists out there…go for it. People are STARVING FOR THE REAL THING…they may not know it consciously, but they are.
I was classically trained and lucky enough to learn my craft when real was real. Because of that, I can smell dog food from a million miles away. I exposed my son to what I learned and so he is a young and smart musician. His take is fresh without being fake.
However, I shudder when I imagine someone actually trying to emulate - and I call her this on purpose - “Hannah Banana”. With all due respect, this is the most boring and unoriginal wave EVER. Any parent who has any investment in their children’s future should boycott this garbage! It perpetuates plastic manufacturing that rivals anything Dupont could ever make.
And let me tell all of you wonderful young people out there… the machine that makes this crap is laughing at you ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK. You are making them rich and they are stealing your creative energy in the process.
So I BEG this generation, fight the system. Don’t let them exploit your youth and brilliance. Revolt against the shoving of dog food down your throats. You have the power to ask for more, SO ASK FOR MORE. Support REAL music, REAL artists and get a taste of fine food. Your stomachs will thank you.
Watching this film felt like taking that first sip of cool water after walking the desert for too long. Thank you for your riveting reality check!
This generation has been so bamboozled. They have been fed dog food and told by the marketing machine that it was filet mignon.
And so it is embarrassing and humiliating to hear this generation as they wildly run to buy more dog food…and they don’t that they are being used as pawns in the greatest dumbing down initiative of all time.
By the time they figure it out on their own, the industry will be long dead and so will our culture. And so, I say to all REAL artists out there…go for it. People are STARVING FOR THE REAL THING…they may not know it consciously, but they are.
I was classically trained and lucky enough to learn my craft when real was real. Because of that, I can smell dog food from a million miles away. I exposed my son to what I learned and so he is a young and smart musician. His take is fresh without being fake.
However, I shudder when I imagine someone actually trying to emulate - and I call her this on purpose - “Hannah Banana”. With all due respect, this is the most boring and unoriginal wave EVER. Any parent who has any investment in their children’s future should boycott this garbage! It perpetuates plastic manufacturing that rivals anything Dupont could ever make.
And let me tell all of you wonderful young people out there… the machine that makes this crap is laughing at you ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK. You are making them rich and they are stealing your creative energy in the process.
So I BEG this generation, fight the system. Don’t let them exploit your youth and brilliance. Revolt against the shoving of dog food down your throats. You have the power to ask for more, SO ASK FOR MORE. Support REAL music, REAL artists and get a taste of fine food. Your stomachs will thank you.
Yeah, the only group who could say that they’re only in it for the money is Frank Zappa… and he blows any of today’s musicians out of the water.
Before the Music Dies is a great site, and it embodies all my frustrations with music today. Thanks.
Im personally just sick of Fueled by Raman bands. It just seems that they’re in it for the money and not the music. And all the stupid Disney stars like Ashley Tisdale and Miley Cyrus and Corbin Bleu..
Being a musician myself, I was looking forward to viewing it and I finally got to watch it the other day. I am a morning show producer for a Clear Channel radio station in one of our top 25 American markets…needless to say that after seeing this film, I am seriously, SERIOUSLY considering a career change. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to fuel the mediocrity of today’s mainstream music therefore furthering the decline of the industry in which I feel so passionately about. Thank you for the eye-opening experience!
Shut up toast….DID YOU SEE THE MOVIE??? Or, do you work for ashley simpson???
I haven\\\’t watched this movie yet–though I will–but I\\\’ve read some the commentaries above. Enough to be confused about the tack the movie takes. As a way older fan of early jazz, I have only a short take to add: It seems to me that we all–musicians and public alike–got along just fine–we fans with a broader choice of music available then than now and musicians with the opportunity to make a decent living–before the first Okeh and RCA sides were cut. But do not think the present music industry will die away soon. In the last 20 years it has fairly well rigged the software deal (see copyrights et al), and it\\\’s in the process of nailing down the hardware deal (see HDMI). I\\\’m afraid that despite my best efforts, my kid is growing up as at least two previous generations have, thinking that whatever Hollywood is selling is good and proper and all there is to hear. I\\\’m pleased to see this movie has such a high profile–which is hard to do when you\\\’re underground! Peace…
I guess it would be sad but unfortunately “commercialism” has affected far more important things than songs and creativity. Once you commodify childhood, all else is history. We are allowing the most incredibly crap and useless toys, entertainment, clothes and yes even food to be sold to and via innocent children who trust our adult judgement. Shame on all of us. I would imagine not one of us could claim that we do not perpetuate the problem by turning on and using said products. When a musco sets up shop in the most traditional of forums, ie. live, and draws an audience then that is an artist but whenever a recording is involved it is of commercial intent and at the mercy of the markets. Individual musicians have readily signed contracts put before them, do not blame “the industry”.
I think it’s funny that all these anti-commercial music comments are being published on a website about a movie that’s little more than an extended, glorified XM Radio commercial.
I’ve been wondering for sometime when somebody would publish a story, discuss in public forums and/or create a film on the dismal state of profit driven music. A business is just that…a profit driven machine…not an original experience put to music. How does an artist make a living and keep their integrity with so much red tape and tom foolery? I also just viewed a film on the pop music of Nigeria and the thing that struck me most was this blind street musician making incredible and sincere music for pocket change (on a tin pan with rattles) to the poor folks who can’t afford discs muchless downloads. Is he considered less than adequate? and to whom? not the folks he’s playing for. Music will never die as there will always be the artists of the streets, the hills and the obscure and ‘uncool’ places of the world. As a festival producer, it never ceases to amaze me just how extremely pretentious the major festivals are that promote ‘grassroots’ music when in fact it’s nothing more than big profit….because in the end it’s about the experience of not only the artist but of the audience member…is it lasting and positive or just another ‘in-group’ and hangover…a one-night stand? I’m not saying profit is bad but it’s obviously gotten out of control. I commend the producers of this film and am happy to see this make it’s way to the public. I appreciate Dave’s comment on doing what you love…no matter what. I also hope that people will continue to seek out and support artists and venues that strive to bring authenticity..even when the bling ‘aint there.
From a hard working, unsigned recording artist from NH. “A very inspiring film.”
Thanks for putting it all together, and thanks for taking the time to listen to my music.
www.myspace.com/brandonlepere
I am a guitarist. I have perfected my craft for half of my life. I hold no hope for the music industry simply due to the fact that it is an industry, a business that is driven by fad, teenie-boppers and profit. I hold out hope for music. “Good” music is truly subjective. Underground metal and blood-bucket juke joint blues are havens for their own types of fans that will most likely not agree on the finer points of what makes music “good”. When there is consensus we are given what is called pop music which is the luke-warm middle ground of music. Neutral territory that is neither great nor horrible. You will never hear great numbers of passionate musicians on the air due to the fact that passion is personal and therefore also subject to interpretation. A “hit” is not something to strive for. Do what feels good and someone will listen. Fame is alot of fun but if that is your sole motivation for being a musician, you have no business picking up an instrument.
I had the opportunity to see the film last night, pretty interesting. Here’s my review on Before The Music Dies.
Hello. My name is Martin and i’m from Poland. I’m a promotor and concert/performance producer. My experience about what is desired for fans is like this: if promotor has no money to create people needs, than he has to respond for these needs that are already created by music industry. That’s exactly why most profitable performances goes on. If You have power (media like radio, tv, a huge amount of money) to create needs than You don’t need to find talent. But than again it’s like “how to make a rocstar in 5 minutes”. So either You choose to find somebody famous, or You create a famous one. Otherwise in business way - You die promoting real talents. That’s sad.
I agree with you partially… the music business is a business with all the things that businesses do in service of the bottom line. However, the shift in the commercial music industry from hundreds of labels to 4 major labels, from thousands of terrestrial mostly locally owned radio stations to thousands of stations owned by two or three companies, from two satellite radio networks to one (if the current proposed merger goes through) is the issue.
In the ’70’s, FM radio was new. Album Oriented Rock was a predominant format (blues, R&B, country and news dominated the AM band) and the “Deep Cuts” were what distinguished this ‘new’ radio. Higher fidelity and deep cuts off of albums made the radio of the 70’s cool and pushed the envelope (especially by comparison to today’s radio).
Now, 30 years later, radio is controlled to such a degree that anywhere in the country you can go and hear the same 10 songs in almost the same order on the ‘local’ station. That is the shame of it. There is no breadth to the music industry. The current CD releases contain 19 ’songs’ with maybe one or two good ones. Where as, earlier artists (Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, Queen, Prince & the Revolution, ….) put out albums with almost all the songs being good if not great. Now, it is mostly filler.
These are te issues wit the current crop of music being pushed onto a public that is either too pumelled into complacency by the pablum on the air to care or so tired of hearing the stuff being promoted by the radio stations and record labels that they turn to their iPods/Zunes, etc. to listen to their own playlists instead. Why do you think the record industry is loosing business year over year? Is it really because of MP3s? Come on. Put out good product and people will buy it. Put out garbage and people will buy a single or feel more justified in P2P file sharing to get the songs they want instead.
Not condoning the practice at all. Being a musician, theft is theft and P2P takes money from the people who create. But… Put out good music and people will buy it.
think majority of people (including creators of those films) don’t understand music business at it’s core. Music business is like any other business, main goal is to make money to shareholders. If public starts to love lone wolf barking at moon music, rec companies would release such ‘music’. This is exactly ‘problem’ perceived as so-called manufactured music. Music is called to be manufactured because it is done by skilled professionals who know how to write songs, structure, hooks, what people like, dislike etc. Since young amateurs don’t have a clue about this (except if they are naturaly talented, Bob Dylan alike which is extremely rare) their songs sound like shit and nobody wants to buy it.
Probelm is, hit is extremely hard to write, produce and make desirable. This is main reason of so much bad much music released. Problem is opposite as claimed in those films: it is not easy to make a hit, it is extremely hard to do. We all know that hit can earn creators millions, yet hits are so rare. Because it is very tricky business, and people are definitively on wrong track think that it’s easy.
my name is leaya, i may only be twelve but but i have a passion for music like no other!, because of where i live my channces of becoming famous are slim, everyday i wish i was 16 or 17 so i can go on canadian idol or something and sing my way into fame, but now that im older ive realized that it’s not the fame that makes a good singer a good singer, it’s the good singer that makes a good singer, and i am proud to say that i am a good singer! Im not tone deaf, though i know some people who must be!! And i don’t even know why im writting this paragraph of useless boring words, because most people will glance at this once and not think anything of it, they’ll probably say ” there goes another kid pulling a prank”, THIS IS NO A PRANK!!!! I need someone too help me reveive music, i need a manager someone too listen too me sing for no more than 1 min. and then we coyld see where that leads off!
Hello, I’m musician and I know a lot of people in different unknown sides of the industry of the music and I really know how much talent is wasted because of this money making business…I really encourage you to diffuse what you’ve done in TV as much as possible…I’m from Quebec so sorry for the bad english…I’d want to look at this in quebec’s TV!…
OMG this is why what were listening to sucks! I am a music lover who for a long time was truly upset with the air waves and the public for allowing fake, meaning less, superficial smut be passed off as music as a preteen i was lost i really did not know what to do i hated every thing i heard i was not a fan of what i head till i relized there was something about the old school stuff then i discovered the under ground and i found my place… but when the underground looks to become mainstream artists sell out and we sometimes lose them when will we stop losing great talent to the MTV audience? It dosent show much hope for the true artists like me that want to prouduce art
I’m a 37 year old never was, soon to be a 38 year old has been. I have been a writing songs for more than 15 years, and a professional songwriter by accident, because one of my songs happened to get recorded 15 years ago. I thought that songs would become my break in the industry.
Apparently not. Since then, I’ve almost stopped trying to break into the industry, but continued to write songs, albeit seasonally. My songs have never been “commercial” but listening to local releases churned up by songwriters, the term “commercial” and “mainstream” is kind of a loose term.
I’m frustrated with the red tape. I would write “good” songs, and they will never be reviewed since the local industry often always look for known songwriters, and automatically put unknown songwriters at the bottom of the pile. I’ve even gone through the process of submitting DIRECTLY to the A&R and singers themselves, to no avail.
In the last 10 years, I’ve basically given up on submitting, but, songwriting never gave up on me. I’ve become a seasonal writer. I write songs almost by sheer chance, if not after being heartbroken. At any rate, the artist in me couldn’t give up on the art even if I wanted to. It lives in me, and reminds me every now and then when it wakes me up with a new song.
Maybe the music won’t die. Not yet. Since there are still REAL artists out there to keep it alive. I’m not sure if I’m one of them, or if I’m good enough. Or, maybe I am, and I’m just too disillusioned to even try anymore…
Wauw,awesome to see that the real music/musicians are making a stand.It was about time with TOO much fake sh*t that you see and hear these days.I’m from Holland,Amsterdam and my main music taste is jazz or thrashmetal,so it’s really making me proud to see this documentary guys.This is what real music is about,and its just great to learn it from some of the greatest name’s out there.Again thank all of you for doing this,and if it would be up to me,i’d start thinking about organizing a concert or something like that,in the spirit of real,original and raw music.A big FY to all of those 17 year old produced barbiesluts for example;).
Peace and love to y’all!
Its been a long time that i have seen legit music become popular or have any sort of air play. Many band have become more commercial to feed the need of the masses that wish not to rock the boat. The blame lays solely on the people throwing their money at these multi national corps feeding us what they know we will like. I am no musician by any means but as a consumer I am disgusted with the quality of music, and the lack of responsibility of the companies and individuals that put these made up bands and meaningless songs in to market. This film is one that should be a wakeup call for those whose heart is in the right place but unfortunately it will land on deaf ears. More films like this one should be in the making.
I’m a teenaged student in Singapore.
I think it is an absolute SHAME to fake music and sell it! It cheats feelings off fans and I will hate a lot of musicians I love right now FOREVER if I learn that they cheat us. I know sometimes aspiring songwriters want to perform their own songs and stuff like that, and I think I can understand how that feels (when you aren’t good at singing yet you wish you can sing songs you create). But acting like you’re a wonderful singer, releasing CDs with “your” wonderful vocals is cheating people! I’ve always believed that music is used to express emotions, without any lie, and yet this happens. I think it’s stupid for people to become a fan of a certain singer or something just because their hair rocks or they look really hot. Go be a supermodel then, models require looks, NOT MUSICIANS. I’ve never been taught “real music”, and I admit I cannot appreciate very well all genres but I respect them and I acknowledge the efforts that were put in to create their music. Unlike those rich crap who pay music producers to fake music. That is SO DISGUSTING.
Listen people. In good old England we have always had a healthy independent scene that championed new music and new artforms. This is great for some and crap for others. When i hear people extolling the virtues of punk i cringe but i understand that it means more than just music to them. The very same people will stick the boot into the Spice Girls and denigrate them. It seems that pop is a dirty word. But for all the anti pop rhetoric the fact remains and that is pop outsells all other forms of music. It is like someone complaining about TV but then sitting down to enjoy Eastenders. I haven’t seen the whole film yet but i have reservations about its premise. If the mainstream isn’t providing you what you want hell set up your own label and put it out. That’s how punk happened and while i don’t like its music, i respect it for what it achieved and it helped spawn bands from the 80s that i loved. Same thing with dance music which you guys don’t really get. It is an offshoot of disco. No disco no house music. No house music, no jungle, garage, techno etc.
Is the record business in its worst state ever ? Of course not. Is it in transition ? yes. Is it a great time to be independent yes but don’t go out and make self indulgent crap. Funny that the same people that are championing this film, always cozy up to the majors. hmm.
I love all music and if you dare to check my site you will see a vast eclection of music. If it sounds good i will buy it. That’s my motto. Not what label it is on or how many cool names can you drop. Funny that the greatest artist of all time (arguably and not necessarily my own choice) never wrote a single song.
Attention any B4MD fans in the DC metro area!
B4MD will screen tonight in Arlington, VA at 7pm @ the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse.
Here’s the address & Phone #:
2903 Columbia Pike
Arlington, VA, 22204
703 486 2345
This event is a great example of the screenings we’ve been holding since November (we’re steaming toward 300 events). It’s hosted by a great band — the Veltz Family — who will hold a Q&A and perform live after the screening.
The Veltz Family (formerly Cecilia the Band) was signed then subsequently dropped by Atlantic Records…their whole story and a sense of their music is in a video at the end of the link below. Watch it and you’ll see why they embody the spirit of B4MD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVScib61Yto
Haven’t attended a B4MD screening event? Get there tonight.
Want to host a screening event or become a B4MD Artist like the Veltz Family? Come on in to the site and we’ll get you on your way.
Thanks
I hate to break the news, but people have been writing music for other people to perform since the human race first figured out how to write music down. Actually, that’s why they figured out how to write music down in the first place. Mozart didn’t perform all the instruments himself. Elvis didn’t write any songs. Ringo didn’t write any Beatles songs, so surely the Beatles would have been better without any drums, huh? And The Rolling Stones would have been better as a two piece. And Dylan’s version of All Along the Watchtower is better than Hendrix’s, right?
Also, I’d like to add that Autotuning software works just as well, you might be surprised to learn, on ugly, fat singers who write their own songs (like myself) as skinny, pretty ones who don’t. In fact I’d say it’s use actually encourages less vocally talented singer-songwriters both to perform and record their material themselves and to focus on where their vocal performance needs improving.
Listen, I also went to Humble HS same as the girl they showed singing badly, I have known her for years. she has a beautiful voice, they forced heer to sing badly so they could make a point. she really is a cool person and not a ditsy pop-star, that was acting.
Samantha,
I’m no expert on music education or even education, but I agree with your idea that we need to educate about what’s good before we can expect anyone to recognize and appreciate it.
I think it’s a bigger problem than just music. While well-intentioned, I think things like No Child Left Behind detract from identifying “good” by focusing instead on ensuring everyone meets a minimum criteria (which I very much doubt is anywhere near your idea of good.) While that in itself may be good, it drives education in a different way.
I work in a big company and we “manage” careers similarly. We focus on making people well-rounded and improving on weaknesses. That leaves little room to build on strengths (I say strength meaning what you call “good.”)
One final thing that blocks the recognition of “good” is that to call something good is to also call something bad. You may not say it, but anyone who isn’t identified as good is, well, not good? No one likes to hear that, but I think as a culture we’ve become perhaps too PC and that helps us miss what’s good - in music, education, politics….anything! I do agree with you, I just have thought much about it in this way and wanted to share what I see are the challenges with someone who will care enough to think about overcoming them. Dean
I am also a musician. A classical musician. I just graduated from college and am now teaching violin and viola lessons. I believe the lack of recognition for good musicians in all genres stems from the lack of good music education in schools. If people are not taught what good music is, and what talent really is how are they supposed to recognize it? Just a few months ago Joshua Bell proved this when he played in a subway station on his Stradivari violin and barely anyone stopped to listen! If we can educate children about music then they will be able to recognize real music and real talent for the rest of their lives.
Oh and I have to add as well, that most teenagers are extremely insecure. So anything and everything has to meet a certain level of peer acceptance (ie: “cool”). It’s easy to see how they can get sucked into whatever is marketed to them.
To the previous poster: Is it really any surprise that teenagers do not relate to older musicians, considering they live day in and day out under parents, teachers, and other figures of authority? The cliche is that music is an “escape”. Why would they escape to anything “meaningful” to mature adults?
You can teach me your wisdom, but I will not be wise. Wisdom only comes from experience.
Why is it that old guys aren’t cool when it comes to playing music? After all they have all the years of experience that it takes. An older musician is going to be better than a young one almost every time but young people won’t have anything to do with them.
Just wanted to say thanks for the doc.
Most musicians have been aware of this for some time. We that choose to play only original material are always struggling, playing free shows or getting flat out “no” answers when trying to book gigs, when they know that you do not play covers or mainstream “popular” music. The cookie cutter issues is so blatant.
It used to be that within a note, bar or riff that you could tell what band you were listening to, Sabbath sounded like Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Kiss or whom ever all have “their” sound. Now it’s like one long mix. DJ’s aren’t allowed to be DJ’s anymore - playlists? Come on!
Thanks.
THIS MOVIE ROCKS AND SO DOES ANDREW SHAPTER! I KNOW HIM PERSONALLY AND HE WILL BE FAMOUS FOR HIS PHOTOS, THIS MOVIE AND ALL OF THE OTHER ONES THAT HE WILL MAKE!
HELLO WORLD, ANDREW SHAPTER AND FARON WEST PRODUCTIONS HAVE ARRIVED!
I saw the how to make a sexy pop star video at utube and i see in pictures what i have in my mind for years now, about the music that surround us. Very good work on that video and i hope many ppl see it and inspire from it. Im looking forword to see the movie in greece
what have i been waiting for umm this movie im a musician and i write all of my own songs and so far i have a lot of great ideas and i would like to bring my music to the world and tell everyone look this is what is really happening i know all of my friends listen to alot of bands but they all seem the same and im sick and tired of hearing the same shit over and over and now with you this movie it is exposing why i am hearing the same stuff over and over again and i just hate its sicking it seems that the only good bands are the ones that my parents grew up with so im trying my best to get my music out there but im affraid no one is going to play it so it will never get heard and the reason im affraid is because no one writes straight from their soul anymore and people that do you never hear about and its really sad but maybe we as musicains can find a way to trick the mass media into what think is something that it isnt to get our message across
American pop culture, and for that matter the world that is following lock-step, is really confusing what is impressive with what is IMPORTANT - our cultures both as individuals and as a people along with our creative souls. THANK YOU for standing firmly where most will not!
Guys, well done on a truly great piece of film. A real breath of fresh air and I hope it gets to be seen by millions of music fans…
I’m a person that has dedicated most of his life to music. I find it so discouraging to think just how much money and attention is thrown to these cookie-cutter, mass-produced, safe, corporate pop stars. Unless you’re the flavor of the month or a pretty face, good luck trying to penetrate the ridiculous (sales) expectations and payola of the music industry. Labels just don’t nurture artists like they used to and too many radio stations are owned by too few people.
Throughout the years there have been so many positive musical movements that have sprung up in response to one thing or another. Many of them against the corporate machine. But the inevitability and irony is that the very people that the music stands against will harness and exploit this style, water it down, mass produce it and shove it down everyone’s throats until it’s stops moving units and has completely lost all meaning. Meanwhile, another group will come along to protest the madness, become popular…and the cycle repeats itself.
There’s just no room for integrity in this industry, least of all artistic.
Fortunately we have things like the CBC, college radio, independent labels, the internet and people like Nick Harcourt and you, the creators of this film to help us along.
Thanks.
I don’t even know how to begin to express my gratitude. I have been a pro musician and walked away from it because of my discontent with what was going on, and finally someone has brought this whole charade to the light. Well done gentlemen. If I wore a hat I would tip it to you. I would say you have brought great honor to your loved ones who have passed.
I learned of this when the “How to Create a Sexy Pop Star” video on Youtube was linked in a message board thread. I thought it was an anti-homogenization movement instead of a documentary film, but maybe it’s both. I am anxious to see this after only hearing about it today. I am curious as to why the Dave Matthews Bandis considered “good” music. Certainly, they weren’t manufactured like Britney Spears, but they’re just as homogenous and obnoxious to my ears. But I digress.
I wanted to add a little to the message. Some years ago, I got XM Radio for Christmas, and I was giddy as can be. But after subscribing to it for so many years, its value is waning. The Fred channel–which was known for playing the non-hits of alternative and punk bands from the ’70s to the ’80s–now mostly plays hits I can hear on commercial radio. The channel which mostly played jam bands and prog rock is now off the air. Several channels are copies of each other and the “Unsigned” channel–which exclusively played unsigned bands, then signed Canadian bands–is now phased out altogether.
In any case, your film looks like it would raise awareness that the music industry is less and less about music and more and more about corporate profits. I hope it will be shown in Chicago (again, if it has been shown already).
Thank you in advance.
I’m self taught student and devoted to guitar playing, I saw the video “How To Create A Pop Star” on a different site, (ebaumsworld.com) and didnt realize until atleast 4 months in that Steve Poltz was in it. I found it ironic that two months before I knew Steve Poltz I saw this (cousin introduced me to his music).
This looks like one hilarious documentary. I’m sure that it will cause a big change in the recording industry.
i think the documentary will be a need for all the people to take notice of what’s happening on our music today , because of what music is being played today has greatly influenced our society. I think some mainstream music now has been done for commerciality but not for inspiring people to be entertained in a certain way that’s real. I hope this film make people see what’s really happening today and make people do an ACTION to have a good music ,that affects the SOCIETY ,that affects the WORLD, and also affects the FUTURE!!!
tnx to y’aLL
And hope music don’t die, AMEN !!!
I first saw this movie in Bonaroo 2006. It was one of the most influential films I have ever seen. I am glad that people are aware of how the music business is changing. Hopefully one day it will change for the better.
gotta keep onn doin what it is we do and not care about the naysayers! dont make music for somebody else make music because something moved you to. cheers
I did’nt know the dvd was out I was waiting for it since December. Since I work at Blockbuster, I assumend if we did’nt get it, it was’nt realsed yet. I can’t wait to see it, I am 19 and I hate today’s music I think its abomiable and a disgrace to music. Today its all about commercailizing it and making money. What ever happend to REAL! music getting recognition.
I’m fourteen. Thanks to B-side and everyone else who participated in this documentary. There was some great bands, some great music, and a lot of great points. Me and my sister are trying to spread the word to music teachers friends, etc. Thanks for this doc, it was amazing.
My name is Rhonda and i am 33 years old… Its interesting to know how to make a pop star. I have often wondered because anyone can see music isnt what it use to be.. i can remember good music like prince, or erykah badu. I hate pop corn music and its so sad that someone like say Ashanti can make it to the top just because she looks like what they think a star looks like.. Just wanted to say i am happy that real music is fineally making a stand!
I showed the popstar clip to my friends, all thirteen and fourteen years old, and they thought that I had faked it. They liked Taylor Hannah’s voice.
I played them Aerosmith, and in their words “That was worse than watching a thousand babies dying!”
We are the target audience for fake music. They’ve won so far.
Soon enough, record execs will just be grabbing girls with long hair and big breasts off the street and giving them a recording contract.
Music as we know it will disintegrate, and we have to action NOW!
My wife (and musical partner) and I just saw a screening of B4MD last night (Mar. 30) in Covington, KY. As both music creators and music fans, we were both so moved and inspired by the film. I liked the fact that performances from many genres were presented. Some of the short, solo performances (by people of whom I’d never heard before last night) were some of the most powerful I’ve ever experienced.
The music industry is rapidly changing and B4MD does a great job of showing that this change is ultimately good for both creators and listeners. For major labels/radio … perhaps not so much, but they’ve had the advantage for quite long enough!
My message to artists that are scared by the way the industry is changing … EMBRACE IT! Give away some music, allow people to enjoy what you do, and your audience will find you. The direct connection that we (as artists) can now have with our audience is worth so much more that any advertising budget!
Thank you to Andrew and Joel (and everyone involved) for this very inspiring film!
War-N Harrison
Hungry Lucy
www.hungrylucy.com
Thanks for posting the answer Sascha. This is Steve from B-Side. Calexico is indeed a great band…and their song “Stray” is also performed live later in the film. Here is the full track listing from the film, for those that are interested:
Agent Double-O Soul — Billy Preston with Ray Charles
Crumble — Calexico
Down Home — Doyle Bramhall II
Yummy — Blaze
Mamma’s Not Home — Steve Poltz/Taylor Hannah
Keep on Running — Doyle Bramhall II
Hallelujah — Chinnel Brothers
Blues Jam — Eric Clapton with Doyle Bramhall II
Trouble of This World — Nora Jean Bruso
Bartender — Dave Matthews Band
River Song — Correo Aereo
Harmonica Improvisation (105) — Guy Forsyth
Stray — Calexico
Station Blues — North Mississippi Allstars
Now You Know — Go Nova
On and On — Erykah Badu
Fool For You — Doyle Bramhall II
What You Live For — Funksway (featuring Doyle Bramhall II & Erykah Badu)
Hope that helps you zero in on what you enjoyed in the film.
Thanks again.
Steve
B-Side Entertainment
Hey Analia,
the Band you’re looking for is called CALEXICO, they’re from Arizona and the track is called “Crumble”. It’s off their 2003 Album “a Feast of Wire” if I’m not mistaken.
They’re a great live band, so you should definitely see them play when they’re someplace near where you live. The official band website is: http://www.casadecalexico.com
hope this helps,
Sascha
Excellent Documentary!
Could someone please tell me the name and artist of the jazz track playing during the beginning of the movie during the opening credits (with the photographs of the roads, the tunnel, the guy on the stage)?
Great site, and I’d like to link it to my own site. Please notify me in case your URL should change.
hi my name is dragan im thirteen years old. a few weeks ago my music teacher Mr. Austin showed us the trailer for this movie and he also showed us the how to create a sexy popstar clip. i wanna say that to be growing up in a community where everybody listens to shitty emo bands and fucking dumbass rappers that cant even spell their own name is pretty sad to say the least. i wanna say that music has been in our culture for forever and to ruin it with with commercial musicians is a total waste. i want to say that people buy in to propaganda so easily that the real musicians dont that care about th emusic and the fans dont have a chance anymore. what happened to bands like the clash or sex pistols or even nirvana. what happened to the world and why did they decide that money is the answer. as a modern society we have lowered our standards greatly. and the only thing people find entertaining these days is hot girls and hot guys. i just want to thank the whole production that worked on this movie i want to thank you because you guys are really trying to make a difference. thank you. Dragan
Hi,
As a 29 year old who loves music…I can say I agree with this movie. I DON’T EVEN LISTEN TO THE RADIO ANYMORE. I don’t want my children listening to that crap either. Mainstream music as a whole has become carbon copies of the same thing. In fact I’d argue that if you can listen to several different songs played it isn’t easy to tell one “artist” from another.
Like Steve said it isn’t a matter of whether you like the Roots or the Dave Matthews Band; it’s a matter of whether the people that do are given a chance to hear them on the radio, and whether they are given the same exposure that the new “artist” from a Mega Company are given to put their product on the market.
If these artist sold out to the Mega Companies and became cookie cutter artist singing or rapping about their names, women, sex and cars; they’d be huge household names. Nas said, “Hip Hop is dead” and I agree that music is not far behind, sadly.
Thanks a lot for this movie! At last somebody speaks out loud this horrible truth! Real music is dying, people don’t let such a thing happen!!! Comercial, what a horrible word….
that exec of clear channel is a dick man its ppl like him that are wrong with society
sTAY AWHERE momO
Well hell you don’t have to be a genius to realize that dam ass American Corporations are to blame, they screw everything over Global Warming, Lack of resources, and Music. The one thing that the human civilization has had for as long as we have existed but Clear Channel and other sh!t like that are all in it for the money doesn’t matter if your making 95% of the population a bunch of numbskulls by selling some random sh!t makes the audience think as much as the thought needed to opening a jar of jam. And hell its not the music its media in general for example when’s the last time u saw a movie that actually made you think and im not talking about some action movie or horror that has nothing to do with real life but a fukcing decent movie about today’s issues.
I thinks its about time someone took the time to make a movie that has to do with people and the future not some Hollywood starlet shaking her ass, for making this movie I thank u for taking the time to do a act that can affect minds to make a clear decision to see there is something wrong with the way things are being done in our modern world.
We’ve screwed ourselves over momo
I’m so upset this hasn’t been brought to my attention yesterday. I decided to give in and start a blog, and the very premise of this movie was my inspiration. I stumbled across your site looking for references to help argue my discontent with where music is today. I immediately bought the DVD, and if there were time left I would most certainly love to host a screening. This is a long-overdue statement being made, and I am truly grateful for your efforts! Every real artist and music lover, beginners & pro’s alike will appreciate you!
Thank you!
I am so glad that there is someone out there that has finally gathered the fortitude to expose the sham that is today’s commercial music. It’s not that there is a lack of heart in music today, it’s just that the corporate giants such as MTV and Clear Channel don’t see a profit in “real” music. I encourage every musician and music lover to watch this film, and remember to listen to what YOU like, and lastly, support your local and unsigned music.
Amazing…. The so called music you hear on the radio now isn’t music…it’s a bunch of noises put together on a computer. Real music comes from the heart and soul of a group or individual, not thrown together and mass produced. Some of the best music started off as lyrics written in a ratty notebook in someone’s basement while jammin on REAL instruments, not some sound board or computer
I need this film for my Blues festival in Greenville, MS…How can I get it?
call me 662.334.2952
This movement is something that i have been looking forward to
All of the music heard on the radio is not music
These so called “artists” dont know what the point of music is
They flaunt themselves way too much and degrade woman, themselves, and music
Something must be done quickly befor music really dies
If anyone can tell me what i can do to make a difference
and influence
this movement needs to grow
As both an Artist Manager, music lover and Director of the Nat’l Assoc of Record Industry Professionals chapter in San Francisco, I loved this film. In such a turbulent time between the chaos at labels, radio and retail and the wonder of new technology such as the success of digital distrbution, MySpace, YouTube, ringtones, etc… it is amazing to see how the two film-makers were able to weave this story (told by the artists living it) into such a short film (about 90 min). Yet they took this crazy industry and really solidly told the story of where we have been and where we are and where we may consider going. I think every music professional and music artist striving towards a career in music should see this. In addition, music fans will enjoy it just as much. Well done! You will laugh (go Erykah with your bad self!) and also be sickened by some of the realities, which in essence is the trick to great film making.
Just a quick thought for some of the negative comments posted about this film. I personally don’t listen to all the types of music in this film but I appreciate how hard musicians have to work regardless of genre. I also feel that anyone who has not watched this film all the way through should not even be posting comments. The trailer’s for this movie do not do it justice. You need to watch it before you even open your mouth. This movie did’nt say there was anything wrong with Pop music or Popular music at all. It is just trying to make us aware of the watered down, coporate radio and record labels that are killing music. Not to say there are not new and upcoming artist that are not great it’s just saying there are alot of music that is not. I feel that if you watch this film and are not moved by it in a positive way, you are not human, and you are definatly not a TRUE!!!!, music lover, That is of course my opinion and I am only right 99% of the time, so what do you do…!!
I hope it says it all in my nickname here.
I have seen the movie, and it’s all about supporting
artists and their visions. It’s “checking” the corporations
for some of the dis-service they have done to the musicians
by catering to their certain “target audience”.
It states a lot more, and opens your eyes on a lot of the industry facts.
Please read the summary of the film.. Any music lover in good conscience
will support this movie once they seen it.
Also basically every single musician out there will too.
Just get the facts. Check it out… Educate yourself. Arm yourself with
the knowledge this movie offers. Then as an entire people, we can give
back some of the control to the musicians and consumers.
Cheers!
My name is Meara, I’m fourteen years old, raised by avid fans of just about every musical group out there except for what was shown in the very disturbing video featuring the “popstar” who only goes to show that the music industry has truly become a beauty contest. I saw B4MD, and it’s as scary as global warming. False icons litter CD stores and Itunes, and the stuff they sing about? How can a woman make a song about her breasts and know that people are going to take it seriously? It’s also upsetting to see how sexuality, which in truth is very beautiful, can be sung about in ways that are just trashy and degrading to women.
Thank you so much for making Before the Music Dies. Hopefully people will realize that a lot of “real, talented singers” are just people who flaunt their looks and brazen sexuality.
The creeping monopoly of corporate should never be allowed near art otherwise the future will be nothing more than a bland existence of brainwashed masses. Oh wait..too late for most.
There is an upside. This film was made and so free thinkers are alive and for the moment well. Music can still be heard without having to fix the wrong pitch by the click of a mouse.
Thank you for taking it upon yourselves to create and tell this rarely discussed important matter among a generation of American Idol freaks.
Now can you do a film on literature because that seems to be dipped in fake gold and presented on the shelf of advertisements as well. Brainwashing is not just science fiction, it’s a old way of controlling the masses.
Thank God someone is awake! Now let’s fix it. There are more of us than we might think…I went through my whole life thinking I was the only kid in high school who listened to Chess Records and Bo Diddley, The Master Musicians of Joujouka and Mozart, Hank Williams and The Beatles. Everyone else was an idiot, praising the “talents” of people who couldn’t even write or sing. But I am 20 now, and this film has helped give me strength. What we need to do is form bands, form organizations that will save rock and roll and fix this problem. Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show is one example of this…let’s change it! We can do it. We must.
the truest piece of filmmaking to date. the message is about music but the underlieing message is wonderful. This film needed to be made 10 years ago.
Thanks for fighting the good fight. It\\\’s always nice to see people encourage free thought.
it\\\’s gonna be available in México, where can I buy it? Someone knows?
I just heard about this movie today and I have not seen it yet but I can tell by the trailers that it will be important. Movies like this as well as movies such as Bastards of Young are really showing people what music should and needs to be about today.
Hey all… this is Steve from B-Side… the distributor for the film. Thanks to all for the posts…
Just to be clear for everyone… the point of the forum — and the film itself — is definitely to raise consciousness around important issues, not impose taste on anyone. You don\’t have to like Widespread Panic, The Roots, Dave Matthews or anyone else in particular to enjoy the film or life in general. \”Manufactured\” pop can also be great… as long as that isn\’t the only choice available to the consumer.
These issues affect all musicians who work hard to keep their artistic vision intact and have their music heard… regardless of what genre they occupy or even how \”big\” their name is in the industry. I think one reason why musicians of all stripes have responded so passionately to the film is that they hear big name artists talk about their own struggles with the same issues…
The goal of the film and the model for our release is to educate those who aren\’t completely familiar with these issues, provide a platform for discussions like this, and perhaps most importantly… to continue providing a source of support and inspiration for artists as they make decisions about their craft and careers.
Finally in response to Joy\’s comment about extending the screening program… go for it. We\’ll be extending the program at least through May 1 based on the incredible response we continue to receive for the program.
Thanks so much to all of you for your participation.
This film is SO important, not just for musicians, but for all kinds of artists.
I’m screening it next week, and wish that the end date for promotion was extended, because I’d hold a few more!
Dear sir,
I can understand your argument about these trailers being one sided. From myself not seeing this film, it does seem that way, but I can gurantee you that this documentary is not one sided. If it was, it would have not won six Film Festival awards.
As for the “pop music” argument you were stating, one can understand how you cannot disagree with the choices in this fim. If you do not like the choices in this film, that’s fine, but don’t call them garbage. People like Dave Matthews and Bob Dylan are very talented musicians and work their butt off to produce music that their fans will enjoy. If you don’t like it, that’s fine. But, people do.
The same goes with today’s musical style. Whether it be the “talents” of My Chemical Romance, Nelly Furtato, 30 seconds to Mars, etc. people enjoy what they hear because it speaks to them. This documentary is mearly stating how much these styles converge and are the same and how those bands simply make money off of it.
Look at Nickelback, for example. Every time I hear them on the radio, it’s the same style with the same chords with the same kickoffs. It worked for them at first, so let’s milk that skill and make money off of it. The only problem is that the record producers (whom once were about the improvement of the bands’ talent) aren’t doing anything because they see the money.
(Sidenote: Listen to “The Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance and then put on “This ain’t a scene, it’s a Arms Race” by Fall out Boy and see the resemblance in drum kickoffs)
It’s also the same with the pop genre of the “boy bands” back when I was a young teen. We all saw how *NSYNC tore apart from their band manager because he was taking the sales, and as they produced new material without their manager/record producers, their sales pummited. Why? Because they began to try new material. Now, we see only one member of the “boy band” world live, and he took a completely new genre of music… possibly because he was forced too.
Is music dying? No, it’s just “gone south for the winter”. HOWEVER, the mainsteam (Thanks to Clear Channel) has decided that money >>>>> music and will milk it until someone decides to make a change. When will that change happen? It all depends on who will wants to make it happen.
This is rather dissapointing and one sided (judging by the preview). So music is only music as long as it is not pop music, right? Also if it’s not indorsed by major companies right? What I don’t understand is, they mention music by bands like Dave Matthew’s, The Roots, Bob Dylan etc. Is that music? In my opinion it’s garbage. I don’t like it, and since I don’t like it, does that mean it’s not music to me? Hell no it doesn’t mean that at all. It’s still music. Just because these directors are living in the past does NOT mean music is dying. I do not listen to pop music or anything that is endorsed by major corporations, but I also don’t listen to the music being ‘indorsed’ by this movie. Sorry, garbage.. I would never watch this documentary.
Thank you! Thank YOU!!!! This film through was amazing! I was laughing and crying because you have said exactly how I feel! After our band has been offered several record deals on the condition of us changing things like our hair and our shoes and pants (want’s us to wear girl pants) We found ourselves wondering is this it? Is this all there is, artificial and shallow? From the deepest part of my and my wife’s Hearts (our Drummer) we thank you! If you ever need anything or anyway we can help promote your movement (movie) Please let us know!!! Thanks
Shannon and Brittany
i saw the film last night at Grossmont
it was AMAZING
thank you for showing the REAL music and talking about how everything is changing in pop culture
i am glad u made this cause i have been thinking about the same thing ever since i noticed only skinny, pretty girls and muscular handsome men are being made into “singers”
just like erykah said, you have to get those breast implants those butt implants and a different hair style just to be singer now days.
like ray charles and stevie wonder would not of had made it if they were blind
i just hope people start listening to the real meaning of music and listening to real music so we can influence children on the music and not tell them “oh ashley simpson was a great singer back in the day”,etc.
it really made a difference
i just hope that musicians and music fans all over will see this.
some kids at my school didnt want to see it coz they thought it was going to be “lame” or they “didnt have time”
and i think they totally missed out cause it was just amazing and inspiring.
it made me think even more about music and how if i just keep playing music and not even thinking about the pros and cons i think i will hopefully go somewhere in life with music.
thank you very much for making this film
Hey, Just got my copy of the DVD today all the way down in Australia, and went late to work from watching it. This is probably the best film I have seen since I don’t know when. It’s good to see some other Aussies out there (Maggie) interested in this film. Spread the word I say. I know I will.
Finally someone has spoken out about the so-called music industry. I play guitar, and have also done engineering/mixing work over the years. I have continually tried to explain to people what the industry is doing with these over produced “pop icons”. Now they can see first hand through this film exactly what they do. I love Erikah’s explanation of getting butt , breast and calf implants to make it in this industry. Who needs talent, when you’ve got the look!
I found out about this film researching Doyle Bramhall II, and am ever so glad for finding it. I work as a theatre projectionist now, and our company has a distribution side to it. So I will be speaking to someone at our head office about this film.
Let as many people as you can know about this film. If we make enough noise, someone’s bound to notice.
Have fun all.
Bye
This is pretty inspiring. It might take a while for this movie to make down here to Australia, but given that we seem to be racing after the USA yelling “wait up!” on all counts I think it will be just as relevant.
To Duncan, on revolutions: By now there are so many different styles of music out there that it’s hard to see something wholly new emerging - when rock happened, it was like nothing anyone had ever seen before. There’s less and less we haven’t done. Everything’s a blend now, everyone wants to label things so badly - not just in the music industry, popular multi-genre authors are finding out to their surprise that they’re writing neo-goth-pulp-noir. I’m saying, it’s not so much creating something new now as making something small into something big, and that will inevitably get it popularised. Still, hey - it’s an endless cycle. We’re not going to run out of things to say, and we might run out of ways to say them, but not for a long while yet.
Bring it on.
I am very excited about watching this movie. Finnaly the real truth about the main stream music industry is revield!!! I am definetly going to get a copy of this film!
Be Blessed Yal!!!
all these points are dead on, what a great film, great cause… but someone has to say it, Taylor Hannah is smoking hot!
One more comment: This type of packaged, artificial music brings about so many other social problems with it: sexual objectification of women, patriarchy, hyper-masculinity, homophobia, sexism, materialism, hyper-commercialism, and glorification of being uneducated. It allows people to be controlled by images and pre-determined sounds and teaches them not to think for themselves. What’s worse is that this fake music lives and dies by their music videos, the main tool used to sell the music. That’s where the dangerous images come from. Thank MTV, VH1 and BET for that. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
I think the “certified old guy” Duncan put it so well. It is so unnerving to listen to some of the music being sold to us in a bubble-gum package. But the most intolerable aspect of it is this - music industry execs know that 2/3 of their artists are simply not good artists. They can’t sing well, play instruments competently and they can’t hold a candle to many independent artists who may always be overlooked. And yet, they sell it to us anyway. They are “dumbing” us down so much and degrading our intelligence, and what’s worse is that the options presented to us are so limited. It’s a shame that we have to literally go on a gold hunt to find decent music nowadays. This film is so important because it speaks to an even larger issue of rampant consumerism, abuse of capitalism, miseducation of our youth and loss of equal opportunity for good artists. Bravo for this work.
Hey! I think the whole idea is great, I hope it will be available in Europe, because I think that whole world has the same problem with music… Great artists can’t publish they work (except internet:) and loads of cheap s*** can be heard every day, whenever you want it or not. I’m not sure if your movie will change something, but we can’t stay quiet, can we:)
Good luck!
Let me preface this by informing you that I am a certified old guy (and a Luddite). I had the misfortune of coming of age during the disco era and the good fortune of living in England for awhile in the late ’70s.
My revolution was the birth of punk. It was a spit in the eye of the corporate masters and the cacophony of disco and it sprang from social and aural disillusionment. And it felt like being able to breath again. Same with grunge, same with rap, same with the 1 or 2 years the hippies actually existed. Big Bands, BeBop; hell, Rock and Roll was born out of the Eisenhower era and the lack of taste in white bread.
The packaging of what passes for music today reminds me of the disco era. It’s like processed cheese; it’s music-ish. Find what sells and flog the daylights out of it. And it’s a reflection of the technology available. You can’t fault a for-profit industry for trying to make a profit. It’s cheaper to pick a face and make it be able to sing than to find and cultivate actual musical talent. There has always been a battle between the art and the business. It swings like a pendulum altho’ perhaps never this far before. Eventually it has always swung back, and with a vengence. Hence punk, rock, rap. And then they, too, get sucked into the machine. Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.
All musical styles get subsumed by corporate America. “Pop” stands for popular. London Calling now sells Jaguars, and that causes me real physical pain. Rap music, the Beatles; same story.
It’s time for the next revolution. This one won’t be mine but I can’t wait to hear it. So if your pissed, do something about it. You’re part of a distinguished lineage. Make us proud. Do not, I repeat, do not grow a mohawk or a pony tail. Nothing is sadder to me than a 20yr. old who’s 25yrs. too late. Make your own revolution. Do it for Sid, for Joe Strummer, for Elvis and Buddy, for Kurt and Miles and Duke. Do it in memory of Flava Flav. Now would be a good time.
Hey I am a senior in high school. I live in a small town in Maryland and I saw this documentary on eBaumsworld.com which led me to this site. It’s great what you all have started. I just wanted to let you know that some day soon I will save the music.
I’m a student at the University of Florida and just saw B4MD screened by a club on campus called MEISA(Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association). I really appreciate all the work that was put into this documentary and hope that it has a significant impact.
Thank you so much for making this documentary. It’s about time that somebody said what every music fan knows. I am a violin performance major and business administration double major and just saw this film a few hours ago at Illinois Wesleyan University. As the lights went down I fully intended to leave the student center and go study for my music history test on Monday, but as soon as I heard what the creators had to say I couldn’t move. I stood in the back throughout the entire film and couldn’t bring myself to leave to use the restroom or go for a cigarette (or sit down, for that matter). As a musician, the deplorable state of the music industry in this country has both alarmed and saddened me. As a music and business double major with hopes set on law school, I only hope I can someday make a