Cathy and I met documentary film maker and musician Rain Perry at the Folk Alliance International conference in Kansas City earlier this year, and we're pleased to be able to present her film, The Shopkeeper, here at frogstop.
When we first thought about it, we asked you, our community, if you would be interested in seeing the film. We've known for a long time how supportive our Frogstop community is of local and touring musicians. Still, it was a thrill to see how positively you responded to the idea of showing The Shopkeeper here. We see this as a great opportunity to help wonderful music fans become even better, more knowledgeable supporters, and to strengthen the community to everyone's benefit.
The Shopkeeper is a feature-length documentary that addresses a question many of us care deeply about: "How do artists, producers and studios that aren’t part of the '1 percent of the music industry like Adele or a Taylor Swift' make a living in the current climate of streaming music, which for all intents and purposes has become free music?" (Or as the director puts it, "Everybody can make a record. Nobody can make a living. Now what?")
The Shopkeeper shines a light on this big issue by telling a small story - of the longest continuously operating recording studio in Austin, Texas, and the music producer (the shopkeeper) who runs it, Mark Hallman. After recording Carole King, Ani DiFranco and many great Austin artists, Mark is struggling to keep the studio open in the era of streaming. From indie musicians fighting to earn a living to music lovers sorting through a dozen streaming services, the acts of creating and listening to music have undergone a fundamental change. With humor, heart and a killer soundtrack, and featuring Ani DiFranco, Iain Matthews, Tom Russell, Eliza Gilkyson and many more, The Shopkeeper determines to find solutions that will actually work for artists and fans.
When we first thought about it, we asked you, our community, if you would be interested in seeing the film. We've known for a long time how supportive our Frogstop community is of local and touring musicians. Still, it was a thrill to see how positively you responded to the idea of showing The Shopkeeper here. We see this as a great opportunity to help wonderful music fans become even better, more knowledgeable supporters, and to strengthen the community to everyone's benefit.
The Shopkeeper is a feature-length documentary that addresses a question many of us care deeply about: "How do artists, producers and studios that aren’t part of the '1 percent of the music industry like Adele or a Taylor Swift' make a living in the current climate of streaming music, which for all intents and purposes has become free music?" (Or as the director puts it, "Everybody can make a record. Nobody can make a living. Now what?")
The Shopkeeper shines a light on this big issue by telling a small story - of the longest continuously operating recording studio in Austin, Texas, and the music producer (the shopkeeper) who runs it, Mark Hallman. After recording Carole King, Ani DiFranco and many great Austin artists, Mark is struggling to keep the studio open in the era of streaming. From indie musicians fighting to earn a living to music lovers sorting through a dozen streaming services, the acts of creating and listening to music have undergone a fundamental change. With humor, heart and a killer soundtrack, and featuring Ani DiFranco, Iain Matthews, Tom Russell, Eliza Gilkyson and many more, The Shopkeeper determines to find solutions that will actually work for artists and fans.
"The Shopkeeper offers a sensitive, personal, and entertaining story about changes in the music industry and its impact on individual artists. Students, professors, consumers, professionals, and audiophiles will benefit from the insight Director Rain Perry shares."
James Harrison - Director, Webster University Film Series
"The topic of streaming and what it’s doing to both the film and music business is of course the elephant in the room that can no longer be ignored. This film treats it with the heart and soul that it needs to get across to the lay person WHY we need to support the arts and artists. Not just finger pointing and finger-wagging."
artist Julie Christensen
James Harrison - Director, Webster University Film Series
"The topic of streaming and what it’s doing to both the film and music business is of course the elephant in the room that can no longer be ignored. This film treats it with the heart and soul that it needs to get across to the lay person WHY we need to support the arts and artists. Not just finger pointing and finger-wagging."
artist Julie Christensen
More on The Shopkeeper: http://www.shopkeepermovie.com/
Screening (followed by Q&A with the Director): 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
Suggested donation $15 per person (all proceeds go to the artist)
The film will be shown outdoors. (We'll send directions when you make your reservation.)
Screening (followed by Q&A with the Director): 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
Suggested donation $15 per person (all proceeds go to the artist)
The film will be shown outdoors. (We'll send directions when you make your reservation.)
