First-time director finalizing shoegaze documentary

Sometimes, “they had a lot of energy” is the only positive thing to say about a concert, as if moxie were commendable in itself. As if passion were measured in stage dives, amp stands and guitar windmills. As if a band is only worth the combined dollar amount of its Party City props. But some artists shun such tumultuous nonsense, in favor of stolid motionlessness, eyes on the effects pedals, generating the droning waves of dreamy distortion known as shoegaze. And yet the music’s intensity matches any scum-punk slobberknockers.

Pioneered by acts like My Bloody Valentine, the Jesus & Mary Chain and Cocteau Twins, shoegaze emphasizes moody, ear-splitting, overdriven guitar sounds and reverberating, phantasmagoric vocals. It peaked in the early 90’s - before critics and fans alike were swept off their feet by grunge - but its influence is as ongoing as live wire feedback.

All who wax nostalgic for shoegaze's halcyon days, rejoice: first-time director Eric Green is finalizing a documentary ode to the craft called Beautiful Noise, containing over 40 interviews with “pretty much anyone who’s anyone in the genre,” reports Pitchfork. This includes members of MBV, JAMC, and Cocteau Twins themselves as well as contemporary imitators Billy Corgan, Wayne Coyne, Ladytron and Autolux.

"I've been on it for two and half years,”" Green told Pitchfork, regarding a projected completion date. "“But, we're getting close-- it could be a couple weeks, it could be a couple of months.”"

Either way, it’s good to know a heavily researched rock-doc about an under-publicized genre is in the works.

Related links:
Pitchfork: MBV, JAMC, Corgan, Coyne, Reznor in Shoegaze Doc
Wikipedia: Shoegazing
MyBloodyValentine.net

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