Heaven Stood Still: The Incarnations of Willy DeVille
There has been no one quite like Willy DeVille: “an old soul”, an incurable romantic who lived intensely and chaotically like a bohemian pirate—feisty, charming, jinxed, and poetic—eternally grappling with addiction. From the punk scene at CBGB’s in New York to a ranch in Mississippi, via Paris and New Orleans, countless accounts guide us through […]
The Legacy of J Dilla
The New York Times presents this portrait of the brilliant and influential hip-hop artist and producer J Dilla (aka Jay Dee), who tragically passed away from a rare illness just days after his 32nd birthday, following the release of the absolute classic, “Donuts” (2006). Featuring exclusive material provided by his family, it delves into the […]
The Elephant 6 Recording Co.
The collective story of how a handful of teenagers from Ruston, Louisiana, embarked on a journey of experimenting with any random instrument they could find, recording themselves on cassette tapes, and eventually becoming leaders of one of the defining movements in 1990s underground pop. Guided by the DIY ethos, lo-fi productions, and a love for […]
Subotnick: Portrait of an Electronic Music Pioneer
The director of the documentary “I Dream of Wires” on modular synthesisers in 2014, portrays one of the great electronic innovators who emerged from the avant-garde scene of San Francisco in the 1960s, alongside luminaries like Pauline Oliveros, Terry Riley, and Ramon Sender. Marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic album “Silver Apples of The […]
Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party
The brief and macabre tale of The Birthday Party, the Australian post-punk group propelled by the incendiary relationship between singer Nick Cave and guitarist Rowland S. Howard. From the vibrant Melbourne scene to their years of malnutrition and heroin addiction in London, and the ultimate escape to Berlin, the backdrop of both creative zenith and […]
Louder Than You Think
Louder Than You Think was the name of the home studio in the desolate Californian town of Stockton owned by the recently departed Gary Young, the original drummer of Pavement. Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg were teenagers when they recorded their first songs in the early 90s with this hyperactive and “charismatic 40-year-old hippie”, who […]
Let the Canary Sing
A vibrant and upbeat documentary about 1980s pop sensation Cyndi Lauper. It traces her journey from humble beginnings in a Catholic Sicilian family in the Queens neighbourhood and her first blues-rock group, Blue Angel, to the creation of her own stage persona – eccentric, outspoken, and deliberately naive – that rocketed her to stardom in […]
Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection
The beauty of Karen Carpenter’s melancholic, silky, and inimitable voice, coupled with the harmonies alongside her brother Richard, made The Carpenters one of the most successful pop groups of the 1970s. However, this success sharply contrasts with the suffering of the singer, who tragically passed away at the age of 30 due to anorexia nervosa. […]
Immediate Family
The heart-warming tale of camaraderie and abundant talent among four friends who evolved into the go-to studio band for the biggest stars in American pop rock of the 1970s and beyond. Everyone wanted to record with them in L.A.: they had a magical touch that enhanced songs. For the most part, Danny Kortchmar, Leland Sklar, […]
Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd
The most extensive and intimate exploration of the figure and enigma of Syd Barrett: singer, guitarist, songwriter, and leader of the early Pink Floyd, until his already fragile mental health deteriorated thanks to hallucinogenic drug use, leading to decades of seclusion. A diverse range of voices, including childhood friends, romantic partners, fellow art school students, […]