New Indie Movie Sets Record With Indie Music

The new indie film "Lost on the B Side," has captured the record for the largest number of indie bands featured on one movie soundtrack. Twenty-six musical groups and artists from nine countries fill out the incredible soundtrack and give "B Side" a decidedly international appeal. Much of the independent music was selected by the film's music supervisor and international recording artist, Trey Gunn (formerly of Robert Fripp and King Crimson). The final mix was conducted by Emmy-winning sound editor, Scot Charles. Each of the bands is featured on the film website www.lostonthebside.com.

Directors, Ltd., a Seattle-based, family-owned production company conducted a worldwide search for bands. Producer Janet Jennings said, "It is an understatement to say it was difficult to find musicians who would go the extra mile with us with little else than our promise of screen credit." But the company did find them -- from around the world -- in Mexico, France, Germany, Russia, Ireland, Japan, Denmark, England, and the U.S.

Writer-director Lyle Holmes clarified that the "bands" are not actually just bands. There are some indie singles on the soundtrack. Emphasizing the indie status, he said: "There is not a Hollywood star among them, but you will recognize some of them if you are a fan of their particular musical style or live in their geographic area." And, with a change in timbre, he added, "But they are all good, really talented, or we would not have chosen them." It was Holmes who coined the musical tag for "B Side": Music from the hottest garages around the world.

Gunn made a major contribution with his ability to establish connections between the company and some of the musicians. This was the case with The Farlanders, Russia's biggest musical act. The company was challenged trying to get around the band's busy calendar. Were it not for Gunn's influence, there may well have been a vacancy in the Russian slot.

Although based in the U.S., two of the 26 contribute to the international flavor by way of their multiple origins. Kultur Shock, currently housed in Seattle, hails from Bosnia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Japan, and the U.S.; and Softcore unites two lassies from Norway with two lads from sunny California -- all in the tradition of U.S. diversity.

It now strikes the staff as humorous, but executive producer Roma Holmes said at the time she found no humor in the company's search for soundtrack musicians while agents and attorneys from around the world were saying some version of, "It just can't be done." She hopes those naysayers will visit the film's website and listen to the excellent musical styles that makeup the wildly diverse soundtrack of "Lost on the B Side."

The claim of being an "indie," stems from a general lack of studio or other industry support. There are some outstanding exceptions. Randy Coleman is one. His vocal not only closes "B Side," he has music on the soundtrack of "Crash." While an indie may achieve some admirable career recognition, in the main indies will organize their own gigs, paint their own signs, design their own stage sets, and pay for their own transportation. Volunteers welcome. Readers can visit each "B Side" indie at www.directorsltd.com or www.lostonthebside.com

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