BFI London Film Festival to screen The 78 Project Movie

Back in 2012 we posted about The 78 Project, the brainchild of Alex Steyermark (Director/Editor/Producer) and Lavinia Jones Wright (Writer/Producer). The project has taken on a life of its own since, attracting fans from across the globe who marvel at these unique music sessions recorded using just one microphone and a 1930′s PRESTO direct-to-disc recorder. Only one blank lacquer disk is used per session and musicians are given the freedom to record that session anywhere they chose. Inspired by the likes of Alan Lomax Alex and Lavinia set out on a journey to record numerous sessions which has in turn led to them recording in some interesting venues from churches and hotels to bars and gardens.

The good news for those in striking distance of London is The 78 Project Movie will make its International Premiere at the 2014 BFI London Film Festival this month (dates below).

Film Synopsis
The 78 Project is on a journey across America to make one-of-a-kind 78rpm records with musicians in their hometowns using a 1930s Presto direct-to-disc recorder. With one microphone. With one blank disc. In one 3-minute take. Along the way, a kaleidoscope of technologists, historians and craftsmen from every facet of field recording – Grammy-winning producers, 78 collectors, curators from the Library of Congress and Smithsonian – provide insights and history. In Tennessee, Mississippi, California, Louisiana, the folk singers, punk rockers, Gospel and Cajun singers in the film share their lives through intimate performances, and find in that adventure a new connection to our cultural legacy.

With musical performances by:
The Reverend John Wilkins (Como, MS), Louis Michot, Corey Ledet & Ashlee Michot (Arnaudville, LA), Victoria Williams (Los Angeles, CA), John Doe (Fairfax, CA), Dawn Landes (Brooklyn, NY), Holly Williams w/ Chris Coleman (Nashville, TN), John Reilly & Tom Brosseau (Pasadena, CA), Gaby Moreno & Adam Levy (Los Angeles, CA), Jaron Lanier (Berkeley, CA), Ella Mae Bowen (Franklin, TN), Dylan LeBlanc (Franklin, TN), Coati Mundi (Murrieta, CA), The Bo-Keys w/ Percy Wiggins (Memphis, TN), John Paul Keith (Memphis, TN), Ben Vaughn (Wonder Valley, CA), Sea of Bees (Sacramento, CA), The Easy Leaves (Santa Rosa, CA) and Little Wings (Topanga Canyon, CA)

And featuring:
Todd Harvey (Library of Congress, Washington, DC), Jeff Place (Smithsonian, Washington, DC), Richard Matthews (Leeds Radio, Brooklyn, NY), Wayne Cory (Apollo Masters, Banning, CA), Joe Bussard (Frederick, MD), Bob Saliba (Randolph, NJ) and Alan Graves (Port Tobacco, MD)