Before the Music Dies

Before the Music Dies is an extraordinary documentary and cautionary overview about the state of the music business in America. Written by Andrew Shapter and Joel Rasmussen (and directed by Shapter), each of whom lost loved ones who happened to be musicians, Before the Music Dies is a journey through a vital music scene in the U.S.—-artistically speaking—-that is no longer nurtured and supported commercially. Shapter and Rasmussen take a chapter-like approach to demonstrating how every phase of getting music from artists to consumers is under the control of conglomerates and bottom-line analysts primarily concerned with keeping investors happy. Thus, we see musicians with enormous potential eschewed by the handful of major record labels that are still around. Meanwhile—-as Eric Clapton, interviewed for the film, puts it—-entire teams of makeover people and technicians exist to turn tone-deaf but attractive women into pop stars. Also highlighted is the record industry's love-hate relationship with file-sharing and downloadable music stored on sundry listening devices, which threatens control over commercially-packaged content as well as the enormous profits reaped from highly-priced CDs. Several case studies—-especially the story of singer-songwriter-bluesman Doyle Bramhall II and how he survived ill treatment by a major only to find success on the same independent label as Dave Matthews-—is fascinating. Interviewees include Branford Marsalis, Bonnie Raitt, Matthews, Elvis Costello, and Erykah Badu. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

4 everyone

everyone who wants to be a musician or is one... needs to watch this movie. and all of you teeny boppers out there caught up in the latest fad needs to check this film out too. we're all being used and manipulated, and it's not always about politics or "the man" or some kind of conspiracy. but it does open your eyes to the tricks of the trade. July 30, 2008

The Truth About the Music Industry

There are so many things published these days that hype the music industry, and take advantage of young artists dreams to pick their pockets. This film is for emerging artists. It is time to stop pining over a record deal and start recognizing the revolution that is happening in the music business and learn to take advantage of it. This film is a couragous effort to get the truth out that major labels don't want indie artists to hear. Dave Matthews, I'm sure, took a big risk doing this and has probably paid a price for it. Thank God for him. May 19, 2008

EVERYONE MUST SEE THIS!!!

Point blank. EVERYONE has to see this. I mean EVERYONE. Show it at schools. Show it in mass release. Every theatre all over the world. The power is in the people and the people aren't doing much these days to make change. This documentary makes you want to rally at your local radio station! March 29, 2007

Excellent documentary about the music industry...

I first saw this film at the Independent Film Festival of Boston a year ago and I have loved it ever since. It is a fantastic inside look at the radio and music industries and the way they control the way the average consumer takes in music. It opens you up to a whole new way of thinking (unless you didn't already think this way) and offers solutions for how to make better choices about what you lend your ears to. If you are a music lover or musician, you MUST see this film. March 28, 2007

A new guide to understanding our industry

I've been in the music industry for over 30 years and all I've seen and done has changed so much that I needed this information to remember and pass on to the younger generation.
This is a testiment to all I've been teaching and I will use it as a tool in my future growth as a professional in an ever changing industry.
I'm giving a copy of this DVD to many of my coworkers as well as passing it on to teachers in the production educatioin as well.
March 14, 2007

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