Prediction: the digital age will make tangible media more expensive and valuable, but also better. People will take a second day and think about it more–do I really need to make this? Is is worth the space it’s taking up? In addition to weeding out crappy ideas, the omnipresent screen will also make nostalgia more selective. Dopejams.net is a vinyl distributor of sorts, maybe you can even call it a record label. Whatever it is, it specializes in unofficial reissues, and they are keen enough to have a little focus on the gay. The store has releases on “Gay Records,” a subsidiary, perhaps; 12″s by Arthur Russell and Sylvester; the website even has a preview stream for each track so you know what you are getting into. Record collectors, beware: you are about to spend some cash.
It’s been a really long time since we talked about the now-screening documentary on Arthur Russell. He was such an important member of the music scene during the days of disco, and Matt Wolf’s “Wild Combination” is attempting to encapsulate how special and tragic his life was. The teaser trailer has been out for some time, this is the full theatrical trailer. The film will premiere theatrically at the IFC Center in New York and at the ICA in London on September 26th, followed by theatrical playdates and continued special event and festival screenings through the new year. A DVD will be available worldwide in November, including great bonus features! The myspace tends to be updated more than the site, for your information about screenings in your area.
In case you missed the teaser the first time, here it is. As soon as this guy gets Feisted or Nick Draked in a commercial, gay artists all over the world can will let go of their collective breath, as it’s been so long and Arthur Russell’s music has been so influential. With the first couple if screenings of the full length doc by Matt Wolf out of the way, April and May will see the movie shown in Portland and New York. Interviews with Jens Lekman and Verity Susman are only the tip of the credible iceberg for this sure to be fascinating doc. Dates after the jump.
From November 16-22, Facets Multi Media is having a retrospective of Andy Warhol’s films. Refreshingly, they are mostly showing his narratives and shying away from the often drooled on but ultimately snoozey screen tests. Lonesome Cowboys is a naked mock-cowboy w/ drag story loosely based on Romeo and Juliet, another I, A Man, has a comical but eerie scene with Valerie Solanas, and Beautiful Darling: The Life and Times of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar will show us archival and interview footage that will be included in an upcoming documentary directed by James Rasin. Check out the entire schedule at the Facets site here.
*Arthur Russell
Arthur Russell is the subject of an upcoming documentary as well, directed my Matt Wolf. The past few years have seen his cello, compositional and disco work get reissued by Soul Jazz Records, Audika, Rough Trade and DFA. It’s almost as if the mysterious musician only needs to be featured on a Volkswagon commercial to get Nick Draked. Soon enough, I guess. I was happy to find out this movie will be ready by next year, myspace is still good for something. In any case, while not yet a household name, music geeks already know he worked with David Byrne, Philip Glass, and innovated sounds steeped in loneliness, joy and nature, sometimes all at the same time. This past summer Rough Trade also issued an EP called Four Songs featuring Arthur Russell covers by Joel Gibb, Vera November, Victoria Bergsman and Jens Lekman. See the trailer for the movie below and go visit the official website here.
