Boiler Room and the British Council release 'Keep Bristol Weird' - a documentary peering into Bristol's burgeoning underground music scene
Posted on: 15 Aug 2019Worldwide events and video production label Boiler Room have teamed up with the British Council to release Keep Bristol Weird, a 22-minute documentary shining a light on the city's flourishing underground music scene.
Kicking off with Franco (of the industrial rap duo Franco Franco & Kinlaw) jokingly describing the Bristol sound as "you know... Massive Attack and Portishead", Keep Bristol Weird delves into the city's underground sound and passes the focus between a selection of the most influential figures within it right now.
Featuring input from Idle Hands' Chris Farrell and prolific DJs Hodge, Bruce and Timedance's Batu as well as the Young Echo crew, the Mix Nights team, Giant Swan, Ossia, Franco Franco & Kinlaw and Noods Radio heads Jack & Leon among others, the doc explores the DIY spirit that drives Bristol music and the community ethos and support system that underpins it.
Tracing the city's soundsystem culture back to its Caribbean roots in 1970s and 80s St Paul's and paying homage to the people and crews who paved the way for the current sound, the video explains that labels and artists in Bristol today are moving away from traditional and well-travelled genres, and more towards a deeper exploration of music and combinations of different styles.
The fact that almost every single one of the film's subjects - some of the biggest voices in Bristol music right now - discuss the city's community spirit and desire to support each other's work is a testament to the way the scene is operating. Check out the full Keep Bristol Weird film here and find links to pages for each of the artists involved below.
Idle Hands Bristol // Hodge // Bruce // Ossia // Batu // Young Echo // Franco Franco & Kinlaw // Mix Nights // Giant Swan // E B U // Noods Radio
Article by:
Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.
