Hey gang, it's me Ben! Remember me? I'm back! In the flesh, er, you know what I mean. You may have been wondering why I dropped off the face of the earth for the last month, and today I have your answer. I've been putting together a modest lil' film festival in conjunction with the Underground Music Showcase in Denver, CO from July 21st-24th.
Check. It. Out.
Since there’s no limit to the amount of awesome we can pack into one single late July weekend, we are proud to announce the inaugural year of Reel Sounds: Music Film at The UMS, a 3-day film odyssey into the heart and soul of Denver underground music… and a little beyond.
As we all know, Denver hosts one of the most vibrant, diverse, and exciting local music communities in the world. We are further blessed with an excess of video documentation of our scene, from music videos to documentaries to features. Reel Sounds: Music Film at the UMS will piece together a grassroots history of Denver independent music on film. Video premieres, feature screenings, and in-person director Q+A’s make Reel Sounds at the UMS a can’t miss addition to the festival.
The festivities begin on Friday, July 22nd, right in the thick of UMS goodness with a music video lounge at Delite. Over 2 hours of local music videos will be running non-stop starting at 7pm. At 8pm we’re proud to present premieres of new music videos from Fingers of the Sun, Hindershot, Hot White, and more. So stop in, have a drink, mingle with some of Denver’s finest audio-visual talent, and watch some kickass music videos by all of your local favorites.
Then it’s on to the main event. On Saturday, July 23rd and Sunday, July 24th, we are proud to present a program of feature length films, hosted by the fine folks at the Spark Theater (240 S. Broadway). Get out of the sun and into the AC for a few hours, and feast your eyes and ears on the best of Denver music film as well as a few surprises. Did I mention that there will be filmmakers present for the majority of the screenings? Yeah, we went there. There’s a little somethin’-somethin’ for everyone. Check it:
Friday, July 22 @ Delite
7:00 pm Local Music Videos
8:00 pm Music Video Premiers featuring new music videos from Fingers of the Sun, Hindershot, Hot White, and more .
Saturday, July 23 @ Spark Theater
3:00 pm Soulz of the Rockies – An oral history of Denver hip-hop in the 80s and early 90s, with director Musa and special guests in person.
5:00 pm Denver Undiscovered – Westword writer Tom Murphy and local man-about-town Dane Bernhardt’s triumphant attempt to catalogue Denver’s kaleidoscopic indie music scene, directors in person.
7:00 pm Echotone – An eye-opening look into the nuts and bolts of “making it” as a musician, this Austin-focused documentary is a must-see for any musician seeking fame, fortune, or even just a comped drink at the bar.
Sunday, July 24 @ Spark Theater
3:00pm Friends Forever – The classic Denver documentary about perhaps the most exciting band in the history of Denver DIY, Friends Forever. If you are new to the scene, this is essential viewing! Your ears will bleed.
4:45pm We Are the Sea – A Denver-produced, heartstring-tugging drama set to the haunting sounds of Iron and Wine, with director Neil Truglio in person.
So come on down to the Spark and Delite on UMS weekend for Reel Sounds: Film at The UMS. See the sights and hear the sounds! Witness the spectacle! Be all the UMS-goer you can be!