"Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" to open the Tribeca Film Festival

The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, will open the 16th edition with the world premiere of the feature length documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. The premiere will be followed by a special concert featuring performances by Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Earth, Wind & Fire, and more, taking opening night beyond the screen to honor the legendary music executive and producer. The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 19 to April 30.

 Based on Davis’ 2013 bestselling autobiography, the film chronicles the historic influence of “The Man with the Golden Ears,” who rose from humble beginnings, and in a compelling and riveting journey, became one of the music industry’s most iconic figures. Directed by Chris Perkel, the film is produced by Michael Bernstein of Scott Free Productions, with Ridley Scott and Mary Lisio executive producing alongside IM Global’s Stuart Ford, David Schulhof, and Deborah Zipser. Leading independent film and television studio IM Global provided financing for the film. 

 “Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives is a fascinating exploration of his remarkable story and the impact that a great producer can have on artists and music,” said Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of the Tribeca Film Festival. “We are excited to have this powerful film premiere on our opening night.”

“The Tribeca Film Festival has a wonderful tradition of artists supporting artists, so honoring Clive Davis and his unwavering commitment to music and creativity is the perfect way to open our 16th annual festival,” said Tribeca’s Paula Weinstein. “With special live performances by some of the most talented artists of our time, it will be an unforgettable night to celebrate the arts and Clive.”

“Directing this film provided a wonderful challenge because Clive Davis stands at the center of a culture-defining array of talent that has shaped the last half century of contemporary music. His is an inspiring story that's sure to leave you with a smile on your face, a tug at your heart and a playlist of hits forever stuck in your head,” said director Chris Perkel.

The film is an inspiring story of courage, resilience, talent, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. These qualities drove Davis - a child of early 20th Century working-class Brooklyn who lost both parents while a teenager - to full academic scholarships to NYU and Harvard Law School and a brief but impactful stint as a white-shoe lawyer.  His unrelenting drive to be the best and a twist of fate led Davis to assume the presidency of Columbia Records at just 35 years of age. It was only after the discovery of Janis Joplin at the Monterey Pop Festival, and Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, Santana and Aerosmith shortly thereafter, that it became dramatically evident that he had a previously unexplored natural gift that would command a career that has created the soundtrack for three generations of American culture.

The film examines how Davis rocketed to the top of the bare-knuckles music industry,

repeatedly building major record labels (Columbia, Arista, J), at times becoming the subject of great controversy while overcoming enormous professional and personal challenges and tragedies. 

Davis has signed, influenced and driven the careers of many of the most important music artists of the 20th and 21stCenturies.  In addition to those already mentioned, these include: Simon & Garfunkel, Bruce Springsteen, Earth Wind & Fire, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Patti Smith, The Kinks, The Grateful Dead, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Rod Stewart, Sean “Puffy” Combs, and, of course, Whitney Houston, whose explosive professional career is dramatically captured in a never-before-told story that will move and enthrall audiences. The Soundtrack of Our Lives features interviews with many of these iconic artists. His storied annual Pre-Grammy Gala, which just turned 40, is always the hottest ticket of the year, drawing the biggest stars across music, film, television, and politics as well as business leaders and glitterati from around the world. For the first time, there will be an inside look in the documentary at the musical and social heights reached by this legendary Gala.

X JAPAN: Drafthouse Films Set Fall U.S. Release For Acclaimed Music Doc ''We Are X' '

Drafthouse Films announced today that they will releaseStephen Kijak's 'WE ARE X' in New York and Los Angeles on October 21, 2016, followed by nationwide expansion. Since its premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival--where it was awarded theSpecial Jury Prize for editing--the film has continued to garner critical acclaim due to its remarkably candid portrayal of its enigmatic subject, YOSHIKI, leader of the Japanese band X JAPAN.

​Since then, 'WE ARE X' has played to sold-out audiences on the festival circuit, including at the2016 SXSW Film Festival and was the most tweeted about topic during the week of SXSWonly after the festival's keynote speaker, President Barack Obama. Audiences at both theSundance and SXSW screenings were treated to exclusive performances by YOSHIKI, and similar eventized concert presentations of the film are planned for its theatrical release.

From the production team behind the Oscar-winning Searching for Sugar Mancomes 'WE ARE X,' a transcendent rock & roll story about X JAPAN, the world's biggest and most successful band you've never heard of...yet.

Under the enigmatic direction ofdrummer, pianist, composer andproducerYoshiki, X JAPAN has sold over 30 million singles and albums combined--captivating such a wide range of admirers asSir George Martin, KISS, Stan Lee, and even the Japanese Emperor--and pioneered a spectacle-driven style of visual rock, creating a one-of-a-kind cultural phenomenon.

Chronicling the band'sexhilarating, tumultuous and unimaginable history over the past three decades--persevering through personal, physical and spiritual heartache--the film culminates with preparations for their breathtaking reunion concert at New York's legendary Madison Square Garden. Directed by acclaimed documentarianStephen Kijak (Stones in Exile, Scott Walker: 30 Century Man), 'WE ARE X' is an astonishingly intimate portrait of a deeply haunted--but truly unstoppable--virtuoso and the music that has enthralled legions of the world's most devoted fans.

 'WE ARE X' was produced by John Battsek of Passion Pictures, producer of two Academy Award winning documentaries(Searching For Sugar Man, One Day in September). The film was directed by Stephen Kijak (Stones In Exile, Scott Walker: 30th Century Man).

Patlabor and Ghost in the Shell Music composer Kenji Kawai on toco toco tv

Kenji Kawai composer of Patlabor and various anime soundtracks is featured on the Japan discovery show "toco toco." In this show, Japan creators show us places they like in Japan and speak about their activity. In this episode Kenji Kawai will introduce us to the Kita-Shinagawa area, where he was born and raised and where he is still living today. Check out the episode below.

A Look Into 2016: Kpop of February!

We've already seen a change from just January alone in the Kpop scene, but it seems it's constantly changing no matter what. Debuts of old groups, new groups, solo hits and albums, and so much more means that the faces of Kpop constantly change from one group or person to another. Let's see what February brings up this month!

4Minute (포미닛) with "Hate" (싫어) (Collab with Skrillex)

I've never honestly heard much of 4Minute, but when I heard about their song "Hate" released on the album Act.7 I was intrigued. So I gave it a listen, and it's easily become one of my favorite songs of 2016 in Kpop. I'm not even really a big fan of Skrillex, and I'd never guess that he played a part in the music in the background, since the vocals are so powerful in the first place. And then the refrain hits, and you're like, "this is not at all what I expected!". It gives me a somewhat Big Bang-esque vibe from it honestly, and whether that's a good thing is up to you. I enjoy it. Act.7 with "Hate" and others was released February 1st, 2016.

Reddy (레디) with "Think" (생각해) Featuring Jay Park (박재범)

Again, another artist I had never heard too much of, but I can say I definitely enjoy "Think" from Reddy's Think single that was released February 3rd, 2016. It has emotion in the rapping from both Reddy and Jay Park, and the words show just how much the man telling the story prides himself, while exhibiting so much affection for his woman. He even goes to comparing themselves to "Bonny and Clyde". It's a beautiful song that deserves a listen!

Grace (그레이스) with "I'm Fine" (아임 파인)

I have to say, I find Grace to be hilarious with this video. But I have to say "I'm Fine" by Grace is catchy beyond all doubt. It not only has a 80's vibe to the style that she wears, but the dancing is really good as well. She's not only good at singing in Korean, but she seems very stable in English, and has no real accent (so I'm going to guess she may be American Korean-born or something). I can't find much information about her since this is her debut, but you can find other videos of her covers of popular songs and I suggest you give them a listen! "I'm Fine" came out in a single on February 4th, 2016.

Microdot (Micro.) with "Celebrate" Featuring The Quiett, Babylon, and Sanchez

Microdot was somewhat featured in January with doing work with Ravi from VIXX in his new album, but he released his own album, "Celebrate" with a really catchy song by the same name. By both being in English and Korean, listeners from all around the world can enjoy this song! It's also a bit of a thanks to God for being blessed with such a good position in life. I find it enjoyable no matter what, and is kind of a nice change of pace!

Nu'est (뉴이스트) with "Overcome" (여왕의 기사)

I can easily say without a doubt, this was the album I was waiting for in February. As a lover of Nu'est, I was not at all disappointed with the Q is. album, especially with the song "Overcome". Not only a drastic change of appearance for some of them (I mean Ren with long hair? Yes please!) but also I feel their talent is growing more and more, and the song proves this as well as the dancing. The song is about going to the ends of the earth for a girl basically, but when is Kpop songs not about getting the girl? Still, despite the typical trope, it is not at all something that would disappoint!

Taemin (이태민) with "Press Your Number"

Again, another one I was waiting for with the released of the Press It album. While I was disappointed with "Drip Drop" (I didn't get per say a "Taemin" feel to it personally), I enjoy the feeling "Press Your Number" gives. All about remembering a girl that left him, though I don't get the relevance of the video to the lyrics other than he's a bad boy in the first place. Again, remarkable dancing from Taemin and his backups, along with a great song. Definitely a good track on the Press It album!