Here’s Jimmy Page moving away from his time as a session musician back in 1965. The result was the solo single “She Just Satisfies,” co-written with Barry Mason, which came out on Fontana Records in February of that year. Page produced, played all the instruments except the drums, and — for what seems to be the first and only time — handling lead vocals.
Dear Tegan and Sara: Inside the Band’s Bond With Fans
For 20 years, Tegan and Sara have been forging a unique relationship with their fans. But what happens when a band’s aspirations start to outpace their audience’s expectations? The sisters examine their intimate bonds with their fans in this exclusive documentary.
Watch Jack White Digitally Transfer Elvis’ 1st Recording at the Country Music Hall of Fame
In June of 1953, Elvis Presley made his first ever recording directly to acetate at Sun Studios in Memphis, TN. This one-of-a-kind piece of music history was recently purchased by Jack White at auction. On February 26th, 2015, Jack White met with legendary music archivist Alan Stoker at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN to have this “holy grail of rock n roll” digitally transferred, so Third Man Records could repress it for the masses. A facsimile of this record, using this transfer without alteration, will be available on Record Store Day, April 18th, 2015. A cleaned-up and re-mastered version of this recording will be available for Record Store Day 15 on Third Man Records.
A GREAT Gift For The Music Lover – Hand-Painted Vinyl Records Of Your Fave Artists
Are you looking for a way to preserve and celebrate your tangible memory of music? Do you want to give a music lover something you know they don’t have but that they’ll want? Check out the Vinyl Art creations by Daniel Edlen Painted by hand with white acrylic directly on record albums, portraits of musicians and entertainers celebrate their creative contributions.
Building on my background in sculpture and rapidograph dot drawings, Daniel uses the unique canvas of the LP to create dramatic compositions that spark conversations. Is that a real record? Is that on the record? Is it done with a computer? Is it still playable?
According to Wikipedia and the art community, acrylic paint will not crack or yellow. The paint sticks surprisingly well to the vinyl, getting into the grooves. You’d have to scratch it to damage it. You can even send him an album to use.
Sizzler Promotional Commercial From 1991 Is Awesome
This Sizzler Promotional Commercial from 1991 was an internal video used for training purposes and investors. If it doesn’t make you want to stand up and salute that American flag, nothing will. It’ll make you want to order a steak, with an order of freedom on the side.
How To Play A Record Without A Needle
Universal Record is a device invented by Jesse England which allows any audio to be played through a contemporary turntable. It contains a Bluetooth audio receiver connected to an acoustic transducer, which vibrates the vinyl disc which the needle sits upon. Its function is similar to aux-cable cassette adapters.
1977 Documentary: “The Making of Star Wars”
The story behind the making of “Star Wars: A New Hope”, the 1977 epic film which launched one of the most successful sagas of all time. This TV special, the first ever Star Wars documentary, was hosted by C-3PO and R2-D2 and narrated by William Conrad, with appearances by George Lucas, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford.
Your complete look at 2015 Canadian Music Week’s Film Fest
Canadian Music Week is thrilled to announce this year’s programming for the eighth annual CMW Film Fest, with screenings held at Toronto’s The Royal Cinema from May 8th to 9th. Presented by Tribute Entertainment, this year’s festival will boast a diverse mix of exclusive Canadian premieres and limited engagements.
This year, the eclectic roster of films feature unsung heroes and larger-than-life figures from across the globe – taking us from the Washington DC punk scene to a country star from Japan. Featured films include: I Am What I Play, documenting pioneer Disc Jockeys from the 60s to 80s; I Am Thor, a loving tribute to one of rock and rolls best frontmen of all time; Sex and Broadcasting: A Film About WFMU, a heartfelt documentary on the rebellious, strange, and great New Jersey radio station; Made in Japan, an inside look into Japan’s first female country star from executive producers Elijah Wood and Morgan Spurlock; Lowdown Tracks, a celebratory and socially conscious film bringing light to street musicians from across the country; and Salad Days: A Decade of Punk in Washington, DC (1980-90), examining the vital and legendary decade of DIY punk straight from the nation’s capital.
Tickets for Film Fest are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
Friday, May 8th
I AM WHAT I PLAY – 7:00PM
Canadian Premiere
105 minutes | CANADA
Producer/Director: Roger King
Using material shot on location in Seattle, Boston, New York and Toronto, with rarely seen archival footage, and set to the tunes that defined the era, I AM WHAT I PLAY profiles four pioneering radio DJs during the heyday of rock radio (60s-80s). The film focuses on their programming, their politics, and their deep connections with musicians and fans. These old familiar voices defined the soundtrack of America. It’s a pleasure to be reunited with them after all these years to find out: Where are they now and how did they reinvent themselves as the medium changed?
I AM THOR – 9:15PM
Toronto Premiere
84 minutes | USA
Director: Ryan Wise; Producers: Ryan Wise, Alan Higbee
Official Selection: Slamdance Film Festival, Calgary Underground Film Festival
Jon Mikl Thor always wanted to be a superhero. At school he would wear a Superman outfit underneath his clothes and at recess have kids throw bricks at his head. Shortly after the wounds healed he got into bodybuilding and went on to win numerous titles including Mr. Canada and Mr. USA all before his 21st birthday.
John combined his love of music, strength, and superheroes and created one of the first theatrical rock bands, Thor (based off the Norse legend). Voted one of the best front men of all time, John bends steel bars in his teeth, blows up hot water bottles with his lungs until they explode, and has bricks smashed on his chest.
The band enjoyed modest success in the 80’s, mostly in Europe, but never quite made it big. After suffering a severe nervous breakdown in 1987 John retired from show business and moved to North Carolina with his wife to become a normal mortal human being. Ten years after retirement he attempts a comeback to finally achieve the success that had eluded him throughout his career. The film follows Thor on his comeback for over a decade as he searches for success in the rock and roll business. With John’s reluctance to hire a manager, he tries to manage himself, which leads to another nervous breakdown that nearly kills him.
Saturday, May 9th
SEX AND BROADCASTING: A FILM ABOUT WFMU – 1:30PM
Canadian Premiere
78 minutes | USA
Director: Tim K Smith; Producer: Caitlin Mae Burke
Official Selection: DOC NYC, SF Indie Fest
SEX AND BROADCASTING is a hilarious and heartfelt documentary about New Jersey’s WFMU, the strangest and (some say) greatest radio station in the world—and one man’s determination to keep it free and independent. As station manager Ken Freedman sprints to keep up with an ever-changing media landscape, he stares down the barrel of the Great Recession and all while having to keep his rebellious DJ army united. After three decades at the station, Ken is strapped to this dream. But, will his efforts be enough to keep it alive?
MADE IN JAPAN – 4:00PM
Canadian Premiere
Director: Josh Bishop; Producers: Josh Diamond, Jason Diamond, Julie Lombardi, Juan Reinoso, Jim Muscarella
89 minutes | USA/Japan
Official Selection: SXSW
From executive producers, Elijah Wood and Morgan Spurlock, MADE IN JAPAN is the remarkable story of Tomi Fujiyama, the first female Japanese country music star. From playing the USO circuit throughout Asia to headlining in Las Vegas and recording 7 albums for Columbia records, Tomi’s career culminates in a 1964 performance at The Grand Ole Opry where she followed Johnny Cash and received the only standing ovation of the night. Forty years later, Tomi and her husband set out on a journey through Japan and across the United States to fulfill a dream of performing at The Opry one more time. Made in Japan is a funny yet poignant multi-cultural journey through music, marriage, and the impact of the corporate world on the dreams of one woman.
LOWDOWN TRACKS – 7:00PM
Writer/Director: Shelley Saywell; Producers: Shelley Saywell, Deborah Parks
86 minutes | Canada
Official Selection: Hot Docs
LOWDOWN TRACKS tells the story of a disparate group of street musicians. Homeless, home free, or living on the margins, they are the balladeers of the “lowdown” – telling it like it is. They have talent and passion and a different view of society, as seen from the curb. How did they get there, and how do they survive? Toronto musician and activist Lorraine Segato (Parachute Club) has made homeless relief her cause for years. Inspired by field recordings from the Great Depression, she launches a modern day project to record their songs. Shot and recorded from abandoned tracks, beneath bridges, inside shelters, rooming houses, rooftops and alleyways, Lowdown Tracks is both social commentary and a celebration of the power of music and survival.
SALAD DAYS: A DECADE OF PUNK IN WASHINGTON, DC (1980-90) – 9:15PM
Canadian Premiere
Writer/Director: Scott Crawford; Producers: Scott Crawford, Jim Saah
90 minutes | USA
Official Selection: DOC NYC
SALAD DAYS: A DECADE OF PUNK IN WASHINGTON, DC (1980-90) examines the early DIY punk scene in the Nation’s Capital. It was a decade when seminal bands like Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Government Issue, Scream, Void, Faith, Rites of Spring, Marginal Man, Fugazi, and others released their own records and booked their own shows—without major record label constraints or mainstream media scrutiny. Contextually, it was a cultural watershed that predated the alternative music explosion of the 1990s (and the industry’s subsequent implosion). Thirty years later, DC’s original DIY punk spirit serves as a reminder of the hopefulness of youth, the power of community and the strength of conviction.
The largest popsicle stick chain reaction in history
The Tulln Domino Team of Austria set a Guinness World Record on March 30, 2015 for the largest stick bomb, also known as a popsicle stick chain reaction. The total: 30,849 sticks in less than 30 seconds.
Hyundai uses their cars to write a message to an astronaut in space
Stephanie from Houston misses her astronaut father working at the International Space Station. Watch how her special message, written by 11 Hyundai Genesis, was delivered to her father in space. This message was officially acknowledged as “The largest tire track image” by the Guinness World Records.