Blurring the lines between my professional and personal life, but this documentary should be in front of as many eyes as possible so sharing here for y’all ??
A few things:
1. This documentary is an absolute masterpiece in so many ways. The way it tells the story of not only what happened to Exit/In, not just what’s happening to Nashville, but the current state of affairs in indie live music is nothing short of incredible.
2. If you somehow still have any questions about why corporate overlords like Live Nation and AJ Capital Partners are sucking the soul out of music, watch this. Spark notes of that portion of the film: just because a venue remains a venue after it’s purchased doesn’t mean that it holds the same place in its community or in the overall music ecosystem - corporations care about their bottom line and NOTHING ELSE despite the narrative they try to spin on you about “preserving the culture.” Go ahead and look at their calendars and see how many young, emerging artists they give a shot on their stages.
3. I believe with every fiber of my being in the power of storytelling to change the world through changing how people care about things. Storytelling, through film, music, and other mediums, bridges seemingly impossible gaps by allowing us to empathize with and understand the stories of people we didn’t “understand” before. Ensuring that stories like this have an amplified platform will continue to be a critical component of the “fight” going forward and I hope that advocates and advocacy organizations prioritize making that happen. It doesn’t have to be in the version of a feature-length film every time - it can be social media campaigns, interviews, or just someone talking about it on a panel at a conference. But I swear to god without that we don’t stand a chance.
4. I am constantly amazed by the role Chris Cobb plays in the war that is protecting indie live music from extinction, and his unwavering dedication and refusal to roll over is captured in this film. I’m not sure if it’s possible to watch this and not be overcome with inspiration and admiration. For the entire industry, I am grateful for him. For myself personally, I am grateful for him.
https://lnkd.in/ghg6ne_9
