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Other Music Documentary

Other Music Documentary


Other Music, famously located on 4th Street with a view of Tower Records before it folded,was a destination stop for me. The small shop was neatly packed & stacked with the latest & the greatest vinyl records & CDs. This thoughtful, well crafted documentary truly depicts what it was like to be a guest at Other Music. Puloma Basu & Richard Hatch - Miller  clearly took their time to interview the owners, past staff members & the artists who got their start at OM. 


 Walking into OM always gave me a happy tingle. Watching this documentary evokes a similar feeling. It made me smile as if I was there pawing through the Big Star Category, the Latin flavored music & of course the latest releases. The scene with a composer clutching his hand written review card was priceless. Hearing one of the Berringer brother's bliss out about having a card at OM was a delight. He gushed "That meant the National was a 'real' band". Regina Spektor said she always felt that walking into OM was like going to the "first day of school" & she had to step up her game. Adorable. 

I found the part halfway into the doc about the more of the customers were of the male persuasion right on the money. They did hire women which was so cool but sometimes I would be one of the only ladies in the place. Walking around and adding to well worn floor, while chatting with dudes about tunes  was a joy. 

One of the most compelling moments of the film was when Chris' wife, Lydia, got mysty eyed talking about Chris' dedication to the shop & staff. "But Chris what are you going to do?".

 OM was a truly special place. This shimmering doc truly shows the way it touched many music geeks & writers. I used to read as many cards as I could while listening in the available head phones. Now I think the staff writings prepped me to write music reviews as I never did before I began writing for Niche-Appeal.com. Thank you.


Also true to my experience at OM I didn't know who the musician who played the last song as the credits rolled. I asked (via message). Someone got RIGHT back to me. This was  just like I was at the counter asking whose music are you playing in the speakers right now. I too got mysty eyed. The artist was the multi talented Arthur Russell. Out of respect, I am including a review of the song.

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