Other Music Helped Cultivate Bands Like Vampire Weekend and Animal CollectiveBefore Being Forced to Close Their Doors – Cinemacy

Quick Take: Whether you were lucky enough to sort through their highly specialized music selection or just a fan of early 00s bands like The National or TV on the Radio (who credit this prolific NYC record shop with widening their music knowledge)Other Music is a must-see so that their story lives on.

Benicio Del Toro called his visits to the store a religious experience. Jason Schwartzman was constantly inspired by its hyper-knowledgeable staff. Its also where Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend literally discovered new genres of music because of how everything was uniquely and specifically categorized. Any music buff will tell you that Other Music in NYC was nirvana (pun intended).

The self-titled documentary from co-directors Puloma Basu and Rob Hatch-Miller follows the last 6 weeks of this iconic and legendary indie record shop before they were forced to close their doors for good in June 2016. Increasing rent prices in Manhattans East Village made it impossible to stay afloat and the trend towards streaming was a battle that shop owners Josh Madell and Chris Vanderloo knew they couldnt win. Its such a shame that culturally significant safe havens like Other Music arent invincible, and their loss hits hard. Interviews with devoted customers and artists like Matt Berninger of The National, Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio, and Regina Spektor all speak from the heart about how Other Music influenced their careers and lives for the better.

Other Music was the quintessential place for people in NYC who appreciated music to spend hours racking the shelves for otherworldly discoveries, rare gems, and human connection. They hosted in-store performances from No Age, St. Vincent, Conor Oberst, and Neutral Milk Hotel to name a few, which the film shows with great nostalgia. If youre a fan of any of the bands Ive mentioned, including Animal Collective, Interpol, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, William Basinski, Sharon Van Etten, and The Rapture, youll find so much joy in watching this film. Physically, Other Music is no more but its spirit lives on. After a canceled theatrical run due to COVID, the filmmakers partnered with record stores and theaters for a Virtual Cinema run.

Distributed by Factory 25, Other Music is available on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, etc. today.

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Other Music Helped Cultivate Bands Like Vampire Weekend and Animal CollectiveBefore Being Forced to Close Their Doors - Cinemacy

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero