Watch Beautiful Noise

In 2014, director Steve Tatone released his documentary film Beautiful Noise, chronicling the evolution of the musical genre known as shoegaze. The film features interviews with some of the most influential musicians from the genre, including Emma Anderson of Lush, Alex Ayuli of A.R. Kane, and Andy Bell of Ride. Shoegaze originated in the late 1980s in the United Kingdom, with bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Cocteau Twins leading the movement. The genre is characterized by its use of heavily distorted guitars, ethereal vocals, and the careful layering of sounds through the use of effects pedals. The musicians who pioneered this style of music were often labeled as "shoegazers", as they would stare intently at their pedals while playing their instruments.

Beautiful Noise explores how shoegaze grew out of the post-punk and new wave movements of the 1980s, and came to define a particular era of alternative rock music. The film examines how the genre was influenced by the experimentation of the early days of rave music, and how it would go on to inform the sound of bands like Radiohead and The Smashing Pumpkins.

The film features a number of performances by some of the most important shoegaze bands of the time, including Ride, Slowdive, and Lush. It also includes interviews with musicians such as Bilinda Butcher of My Bloody Valentine, Mark Gardener of Ride, and Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine, who share their own stories of how they came to be part of the shoegaze movement.

One of the key themes of the film is the idea of the shoegaze scene as a community of musicians and fans who were united by a shared love of this new sound. Beautiful Noise examines how these bands and fans came together through zines, record labels, and the nascent internet of the time, creating a sense of belonging that would last beyond the short lifespan of the scene.

In addition to exploring the history of shoegaze, the film also touches on the genre's enduring influence on contemporary music. Beautiful Noise shows how the shoegaze sound can be heard in the music of artists like Lana Del Rey, Beach House, and Wild Nothing, and how the legacy of this genre continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans.

Overall, Beautiful Noise is a fascinating look at one of the most important and influential musical genres of the past few decades. Through its combination of archival footage, interviews, and live performances, the film offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the history and impact of shoegaze music. Whether you're a longtime fan of the genre or are just discovering it for the first time, Beautiful Noise is a must-see documentary for anyone interested in the history of alternative music.