Document This

By Kimberley Owen on Feb 1, 12 08:56 PM in Music

So, I might not be the most knowledgeable being on planet earth when it comes to music, in fact I don't even profess to be an nth of that.

However, music is the thing that keeps me going. It's the one indulgence I can rely on to bring me happiness on a bad day, to make me cry, dance, scream and even daydream.

Some girls remember places or moments by what perfume they wear but for me it will always be what soundtrack was the accompaniment.

My blogs will be mostly about music; whether that's new bands, the local scene, music tech or just general musical chatter.

My first subject is the music documentaries:

I recently saw the trailer for LCD Soundsystem's documentary entitled 'Shut Up and Play the Hits'. With its back track of their hit 'All My Friends', memories of the band's final gig and snippets of an interview with the band's front-man, James Murphy it bought a tear to my eye.

You see, this is the thing - how could this 3 minute trailer turn me into a blubbering wench? Well, this is it, music has now re-embraced the documentary, and thank god as these are the pinnacle, which when done well, can enable us to recreate the magic of our favourite band's shining glory.

More and more bands are turning to the documentary, take King's of Leon, and even bands like Soulwax and Justice are producing some amusing and awesome docs of their own. These films give us a taste of the live goods as well as an opportunity to get up close and personal.

Whilst an appreciation of Bob Dylan's classic 'Don't Look Back' is evident, music documentaries have taken on a new form.

Fancy directors are now hired - like Scorsese on Rolling Stones 'Shine A Light' - and these docs are now commandeering exclusive preview screenings and are taking over TV on demand in our homes.

With artists losing out to illegal downloads it's essential that they expand their reach and this is one clever solution.

Looking at the fact that Rush made the top ten selling music DVDs in 2011 with their 'Time Machine - live in Cleveland' offering, it's not only the new bands cottoning onto this trick.

Get out there and watch some music documentaries now, The Chemical Brothers 'Don't Think' will be screened at Birmingham's Odeon this Friday.

This film showcases the band's live performance and atmospherics, whilst also following selected audience members away from the stage and out into the natural environment.

It is said to recreate 'a journey through the psychedelic trip that is the Chemical Brothers live show' - I'm sold.