XPN / PFS Music Film Festival Round Up
On Thursday April 26 The Inaugural XPN Music Film Festival, produced by The Philadelphia Film Society got underway at the Annenberg Center in University City, Philadelphia.
For anyone unfamiliar with XPN:
WXPN, is a nationally recognized leader in Triple A radio and the premier
guide for discovering new and significant artists in rock, blues,
roots, and folk, is the non-commercial, member-supported radio service
of the University of Pennsylvania. WXPN produces World Cafe, public radio’s most popular program of popular music hosted by David Dye and syndicated by NPR,
The opening night film was a concert tour documentary called Big Easy Express. The film’s upbeat opening credits, took on a look and feel reminiscent of classic movie musicals like Hello Dolly or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; as we follow an exuberant young woman through train car after train car filled with jamming musicians from three groups on tour together: Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, and Old Crow Medicine Show.
It was hard to tell the musicians apart from one band to the other – all grungy, folk, Rockabilly revelers. Well, one stood apart, Alex Ebert, from the Magnetic Zeros. This guy has incredible energy and presence, a sexy Jesus-type in a white farmers night shirt!
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| HOT CLUB OF PHILADELPHIA |
The Opening Night Party was an elegant affair held at the Pennsylvania School of Law (3501 Sansom Street) and was catered by Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House, opening in just a few short weeks adjacent to the Law School. Plenty of fresh seafood abound and I truly enjoyed the mini crab cakes. The bar was stocked by sponsors Dock Street Brewery and Barefoot Wines.
Friday night I screened the first half of No Room for Rock Stars also a concert tour doc, featuring the youthful, up and coming performers of The Warped Tour. The tension between the more edgy, alternative artists and the new pop sensation Mike Posner, seemed to be the angle of the piece.
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| Paul Eagleston, Ryan Avery, Michael Lerman |
demeanor lurks a wild, punk rock performance artist, who pushes the
boundaries of TMI, decency and absurdity. This
off-beat documentary by Paul Eagleston and Stephen Rose is both weird and warm. It’s hard not to be taken in by Ryan, who was in attendance for the first screening. Here’s a link to the Hi My Name is Ryan Q & A.
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| Taylor Williams, Dennis Lambert, Jody Lambert |
songwriter, Dennis Lambert, who together with his musical partner Brian Potter
wrote and produced many, many popular songs of the 70’s and early
80’s including one of my very favorites – Dennis Edward’s “Don’t Look Any
Further”, but also hits like: Four Tops “Ain’t No Woman”,
The Commodores “Night Shift”, Glen Campbell,“Rhinestone
Cowboy” & “Don’t Pull Your Love”, Tavares “It Only Takes a
Minute” Player “Baby Come Back” and more.
Philippines, where his music, particularly a solo album which failed in the
US, “Bags and Things”, is not just popular in the
Philippines, but a fabric of their most treasured pop culture. The film is quite entertaining, mainly due to Lambert himself; he’s lovable and dottering, musically gifted and naturally funny. Here’s a link to the Of All The Things Q & A.
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| Patron, Denny Tedesco, Patron |
Tommy Tedesco, an amazing guitar player who was part of an era of
music making when studio musicians ruled! The best of the best of
these musicians were nicknamed “The Wrecking Crew” In the
early 1960’s to mid 70’s just about every pop/rock n’ roll artists used
these guys [and lone female, Carol Kaye] on their albums to achieve
chart topping success.
from key members of The Wrecking Crew: Hal Blaine, Earl Palmer, Carol
Kaye, Glen Campbell, Joe Osborn as well as interviews from notables: Brian Wilson of The Beach
Boys, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Dick Clark and more. The preservation of these great musician’s stories are part of the American Songbook. The Wrecking Crew documentary needs additional funds to purchase the rights to use all the music in the film. Here’s the link to the donation page and the Denny Tedesco Q & A.
Music Film Festival to show a midnight screenings of Rocky Horror
Picture Show – added bonus – The Transylvania Nipple Productions!
I got some really racy shots from my balcony perch – Rocky Horror Photo Album.
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| Destin Daniel, Adam Shipiro, Lauren Coleman |
music singer/songwriter, Brook (Dominic Bogart) going thru a mid-twenties life crisis.
terrifically simple and genuine quality. The storytelling really
speaks to the pain of the character without being maudlin, but retains an edge. Also hits just the right note in terms of musical performances and
soundtrack. The director, Destin Daniel was in attendance, and although I think he’s an emerging filmmaker to take note of; I feel his true talent lies in screenwriting.
My other dining experience during the music film festival was Sunday afternoon at Tria (3131 Walnut Street). My sister had given me a gift certificate for Christmas and this was the perfect time to make use of it.
This spot used to be called Biba, same owner, Jon Myerow who has Tria cafes in Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square West. But this location was going to focus on wines, so it was given a different moniker. However, now it appears to just be a 3rd Tria.
Tria does a great thing called Sunday School, where they choose a selection of beers, wines and cheese, give a detailed description and price the items very low so you can sample several things, although I just had one Sly Fox beer.
I started with: Warm Tuscan White Bean Spread with Paprika Toast $4½ – 3 Tines And Rosemary and Fennel Marinated Olives $4 – 3 Tines
And then I had one of those moments when you just really savor what you’re eating. I really can’t even describe why, but this was hands down the BEST PANINI I’ve ever eaten: Smoked Chicken Panino with Caciocavallo, Piquillo Peppers and Balsamic Onion $9½ – 4 Tines
Dining “Tine” Rating System:
* Excellent – 4 Tines / * Great – 3 Tines / * Good – 2 Tines / * Fair – 1 Tine / * Poor – Tarnished
(Reel & Dine): Philly Film, Food & Events Blog
tinseltine
Tinsel & Tine provides year-round free promotion, sparking conversations and awareness, celebration and reviews of the movie industry - from local indie shorts to international films/filmmakers, to studio driven movies/moviemakers. Mixed with a spotlight on Philly Happenings. #MiniMovieReview #PhillyCalendar
One Comment
tinseltine.com
Personal side note: I had a great time at the XPN Music Film Festival despite my ongoing dispute with World Cafe Live. I'm very disappointment in their refusal to act with any consideration to an issue I had in February: During a concert at WCL, my car was wrongfully towed (7pm) out of the lot they reserve for patrons. Despite my attempts to contact management thru emails, phone calls and facebook; no one at WCL has ever apologized for the expense and inconvenience this incident caused me.