Smart Studios, located in Madison, Wisconsin and established in 1983 by Butch Vig and Steve Marker, was a crucial recording destination (and home) for noisy independent bands in the 80's & 90's. Legions of bands recorded there over the years -- Killdozer, Tad, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, L7, Archers of Loaf, Poster Children, Laughing Hyenas, Garbage, and SO many more. A feature length documentary about the famed studio featuring archival footage, interviews with musicians, producers, and other key players has been in the works since 2010, and now The Smart Studios Story is ready to make its world premiere. The film premieres at the South By Southwest (SXSW) music festival on March 16th with a second screening (followed by a panel) on March 18th.
Additionally the Smart Studios Story has been named the Official Film of Record Store Day 2016 which means there will be special film screenings and promotional events scheduled to take place the week of Record Store Day (April 16). Some of the screenings and promotional events have already been announced, with more expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, in conjunction with Record Store Day, a promotional audio cassette featuring songs recorded at Smart Studios in the 80's will be distributed in person by Butch Vig & Steve Marker at events in Chicago and Madison on April 16th. The cassette will also be available while supplies last at participating record stores nationwide on Record Store Day. So far the tracklisting for the cassette has not been released but more info will be announced March 8th during the official Record Store Day press conference, so stay tuned.
For now view the trailer for The Smart Studios Story along with a list of initial screenings/promotional events for the film below:
For more on the Smart Studios Story, visit the official website.
The Smart Studios Story -- Screenings/events
Mar 16 -- Austin, TX @ SXSW - The Paramount (world premiere)
Mar 18 -- Austin, TX @ SXSW - Alamo Ritz (followed by panel)
Mar 23 -- Madison, WI @ TONE CLUSTER w/ Wendy Schneider
Apr 09 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Cinefamily
Apr 13 -- Chicago, IL @ CIMMfest Premiere
Apr 14 -- Appleton, WI @ FUNDRAISER
Apr 15 -- Chicago, IL @ CIMMfest Panel
Apr 16 -- Chicago, IL @ Record Store Day event @ Reckless Records at DRY HOP
Apr 16 -- Madison, WI @ Record Store Day event @ Madcity Music
Apr 17 -- Madison, WI @ WiFF - WISCONSIN PREMIERE
Apr 17 -- Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon (after party)
Apr 29 -- Winona, MN @ Mid West Music Fest
Additionally the Smart Studios Story has been named the Official Film of Record Store Day 2016 which means there will be special film screenings and promotional events scheduled to take place the week of Record Store Day (April 16). Some of the screenings and promotional events have already been announced, with more expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, in conjunction with Record Store Day, a promotional audio cassette featuring songs recorded at Smart Studios in the 80's will be distributed in person by Butch Vig & Steve Marker at events in Chicago and Madison on April 16th. The cassette will also be available while supplies last at participating record stores nationwide on Record Store Day. So far the tracklisting for the cassette has not been released but more info will be announced March 8th during the official Record Store Day press conference, so stay tuned.
For now view the trailer for The Smart Studios Story along with a list of initial screenings/promotional events for the film below:
For more on the Smart Studios Story, visit the official website.
The Smart Studios Story -- Screenings/events
Mar 16 -- Austin, TX @ SXSW - The Paramount (world premiere)
Mar 18 -- Austin, TX @ SXSW - Alamo Ritz (followed by panel)
Mar 23 -- Madison, WI @ TONE CLUSTER w/ Wendy Schneider
Apr 09 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Cinefamily
Apr 13 -- Chicago, IL @ CIMMfest Premiere
Apr 14 -- Appleton, WI @ FUNDRAISER
Apr 15 -- Chicago, IL @ CIMMfest Panel
Apr 16 -- Chicago, IL @ Record Store Day event @ Reckless Records at DRY HOP
Apr 16 -- Madison, WI @ Record Store Day event @ Madcity Music
Apr 17 -- Madison, WI @ WiFF - WISCONSIN PREMIERE
Apr 17 -- Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon (after party)
Apr 29 -- Winona, MN @ Mid West Music Fest
