Songs For Cassavetes

6-Jul-01

ìMusic Video Distributors and The Breadcrumb Trailî are pleased to announce the home viewing release of ìSongs for Cassavetesî for Worldwide distribution on DVD and VHS. This 90 minute documentary takes a look at the do-it-yourself world of underground music, focusing particularly on the American West Coast and Olympia, Washington. It contains interviews and 16mm black and white footage of ten bands who have succeeded without the help of the corporate record industry.With a brief backwards glance at the impact of punk on underground rock, ìSongs for Cassavetesî documents the bands making music in the wake of the alternative media explosion of the nineties. It also conveys the importance of musical integrity, networking, and touring as the number one method of publicity.ìSongs for Cassavetesî was inspired by a quote from the late director John Cassavetes, widely regarded as a pioneer of American independent film. Filmmaker Justin Mitchell, co-producer Marvin Miranda and a skeleton crew of friends and family spent four years to make this independently-produced feature length documentary.Featuring Perfomances and Commentary by:ìSleater-Kinney (voted ""Best Rock Band"" by Time Magazine)îìSome Velvet SidewalkîìThe PeechesîìThe Hi-FivesîìDub Narcotic Sound SystemîìTullycraftîìUnwoundîìFurtherîìHenry's DressîìThe Make-Upî""In this country, people die at the age of 21. They die emotionally at 21, maybe younger. My responsibility as an artist is to help them past 21."" - John Cassavetes""This 16mm documentary about early 90s indie rock avoids all stargazing and gets to the heart of what it meant for slacker kids to make art"" - Ed Halter, New York Underground Film FestivalIn addition to the film, there is a 26-minute radio interview/video montage section featuring the personalities of the film and other members of the national underground music community.