Did the internet really kill the video star? The rise of social media has seemed to place musicians in an interesting position. During the golden era of MTV, the music video was a ticket to stardom and establishing a worldwide fanbase. Everyone was watching MTV from the 1980s into the 90s. Musicians had found a new form of creative expression beyond just their sound.
In the 1990s, MTV and VH1 provided a more internal look into the life of the world’s biggest rock bands. Behind The Music was an hour long documentary series that allowed fans a microscopic look into bands like Journey, Fleetwood Mac and Metallica. With over 244 episodes, each installment of the series highlights turning points in each of the artists’ beginnings, in-betweens and the success that sometimes faced hardship.
Growing up with a father who’s interests in music vary from Beastie Boys to Metallica to Carlos Santana, I myself have recently been immersed into finding out the roots of some of my favorite artists. Where did they begin? What inspired their music? How did their past make them who they are today? These are questions that constantly circulate as I think of my favorite musicians.
So how does this play into today’s artists? Well, I’ve recently noticed a significant resurgence or “resurrection” if you will, of artists documenting their career’s highs and lows. Such artists like Beyonce, Taylor Swift and 5 Seconds of Summer have created documentary features and mini series highlighting a behind the scenes look at their careers. Some of which, have gone on to become nominated and even award winning films. Why is this so important to me? I think with the age of social media, it’s easy for fans to forget that these artists are far more than just their on-stage persona, they are human. The need to humanize these artists has been in my opinion, become more crucial than ever. It’s important for fans to understand the ups and downs of life on the road and the social responsibility that can at times, be a heavy presence on the shoulders of these artists.
These mini and feature length documentaries are not only an inside look of the world’s most beloved bands, but it has also become a successful promotional tool for a new album. And in my opinion, nothing excites me more than an amazing album and a behind the music series to go with it. I believe the process of how the music is made, intrigues the audience now more than ever. (And that’s cool!)
With the rise of new streaming platforms like Apple Music, Netflix and Youtube Premium, documentaries have become more accessible than ever. However, I have seen a couple great ones like Kurt Cobain’s Montage of Heck (2015) at the famous Hollywood Cinerama Dome. Now that was eye opening. It was the perfect collage of interviews, home movies and even recorded journal entries from Kurt Cobain himself. The documentary was an explicit tale of the truth behind one of rock music’s beloved artists. While the film featured the many telling of Kurt and Nirvana’s massive success and fame, it also touched on the tragedy that went with it.
One such documentary that will always have an important presence with me is Amy (2015), a film about the late British singer, Amy Winehouse. Not only is the film a raw telling of Amy’s talent as a singer songwriter, it also tells of her inner demons. I don’t think Amy would have wanted a sugar coated telling of her life, she was always one to keep things as transparent as possible and thats exactly what Amy provides. The film even went on to win Best Documentary Feature at the 2016 Academy Awards. What Montage of Heck and Amy both provide thematically is, a truthful telling of music’s influence on the artist, the world and their everlasting legacy.
With so much readily available at our fingertips, artists have an opportunity to connect with an audience in a unique way. The ability to share and see eye to eye with your fans is a tool that I believe more artists should take advantage of. Sharing the journey of how the tragedy, romance, and the sounds that encapsulate these tracks is something truly special. I don’t know about you, but I get goosebumps just thinking about Steve Perry laying down the vocal track for Don’t Stop Believin’.
So the next time you pop on your headphones and the first note of your favorite song plays, think about the artistry, the articulation and most importantly, the life journey your favorite artist(s) had to take to get to that very idea at that very moment. Music is a coming together of experiences, talent and the common need to share a feeling.
Need something new to watch? Here are the latest musical documentaries featuring your favorite artists.
That’s A Wrap: Film Reviews 