HARD SOIL - The Muddy Roots of American Music
DOCUMENTARY USA/Germany
90 MIN / 2013
![Poster HARD SOIL Film]( "HARD SOIL")
SYNOPSIS
Nowhere is America’s cultural evolution and diversity as palpable as in the music of the people – folk music or alternately roots music.
Both terms are collective terms encompassing and compiling a variety of musical styles from Bluegrass, to Blues, from Country to Cajun and from Zydeco to Gospel.
In short:
American music has always been a wild cocktail of varied musical heritages and influences.
Over the years the roots of American music would evolve into Rock ‘n’ Roll, Rockabilly, R&B, Soul, Jazz and even Punk and such diverse sub genres as Psychobilly, Blues Punk, Blues Trash, Cowpunk and primitive Rock ‘n’ Roll to mention only a few.
In spite of the music business’ efforts of musical segregation and streamlining especially country music but also the blues since the early 1920’s a die-hard subculture emerged over the years dedicated to preserving a rawer, more authentic sound and conserving the music’s wild archaic beauty and its themes of love and loss, dreams and hardship, life and death.
However the aim has not been to simply preserve the past.
To the contrary:
The evolution is ongoing and today the roots of American music while cherished and respected are being infused with the sounds of the 21st century keeping the evolution of American Roots music an ongoing one and one that is not only heard in the land of Lincoln but across the globe.
To many it has not only become the soundtrack to their lives - it has become a way of life…
WHO WE ARE
MUDDY ROOTS
Muddy Roots promotes all forms of old country, roots blues, Americana, folk, vintage rock, punk rock and everything in between.
We host events worldwide that define the nexus between country, punk, blues, bluegrass, and other underground styles by presenting a mix of music that is strongly rooted in the DIY spirit.
![Muddy Roots Logo]( "HARD SOIL - Muddy Roots")
SLOWBOAT FILMS
Slowboat Films is one of the last remaining bastions of truly independent film - dedicated to authentic & personal cinema made outside of the stronghold of the television and studio system.
Over the past 12 years Slowboat Films has gathered a dedicated international cult following for their uncompromising aesthetic and portrayal of underground art & music, radical politics and maverick minds.
![Slowboat Films Logo]( "HARD SOIL - Slowboat Films")
THE PRODUCER
Jason Galaz is the founder of the Muddy Roots Music Festival - a music festival dedicated to the preservation and evolution of American Roots music. Muddy Roots is one of the largest and most popular music festivals of its kind and a meeting point for roots lovers from across the globe.
Jason was born and raised in Southern California and moved to Tennessee as a young adult. A deep love of the arts, philosophy and an exploration of raw underground culture has become an obsession - a way of life.
Self-employed since the age of 19 Jason has become a "Do It Yourself" Man to the core. Blending 14 years of entreprenurial experience with personal consience and old man wisdom Jason Galaz is taking his passion to the public.
THE DIRECTOR
M.A. Littler was raised in the old world and the new world, at airports, on junkyards, in motels and restaurants. He found employment as a bouncer, a barkeeper, a cab driver, a translator, a screenwriter, a journalist – even as an ambulance driver. All employment was short-lived.
In 1999, Littler founded Slowboat Films - a haven for truly independent cinema. In his films and writing he has displayed an unhidden affinity for outsiders of all sorts – radical intellectuals, outlaw historians, marginalized artists, obscure musicians and holy con men. When asked about this, Littler says: "I'm interested in people who dance to their own beat, prototypes who fix their radio with a blow torch."
THE CINEMATOGRAPHER
Philip Koepsell is a classically trained director of photography. His work stands in stark contrast to today's inflationary use of imagery. His cinematography is deliberately austere and meticulously composed.
Since 2005 Koepsell has been collaborating with author and director M.A. Littler on various documentaries and feature films.
He has also collaborated with famed outlaw photographer Miron Zownir on his feature film debut Phantomanie, which he also produced and edited.
In 2011 Philip Kosepsell joined Slowboat Films not only as the company's sole director of photography but also as producer and co-owner.
MISSION STATEMENT
Be it music, art or cinema we believe in creating our own culture - a culture outside of of the pre-fabricated, assimilated realm known as mainstream entertainment.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION
Fact is without your help Muddy Roots would not be possible and neither would even one of our previous 9 films have been made.
Our culture is made possible by your loyal support!
WHAT WE NEED & WHAT YOU GET
WHAT WILL YOUR MONEY BE SPENT ON?
The entire funds will be used for the production/shoot of the film. Money will be spent on equipment rental, travel, transportation and food.
WHAT WILL YOU GET FOR YOUR SUPPORT?
We will shower you with goodies (see list of rewards) and mucho love & respect.
IF WE DON'T REACH OUR ENTIRE GOAL?
Should our goal of 20 k not be met we will shoot the film by hook or by crook anyway. A pistol, a prayer and a fistful of guts!
WHAT IF WE RAISE MORE?
Should we be able to raise more than 20 K all additional funds will be spent on the film's post production and PR for the finished film (editing, color correction, dolby audio mix, dvd's, film festival submissions, pr budget etc).
THE IMPACT
We believe artists must be the concience of a society. Music and cinema need to stand up and do their part and not be mere entertaintment but also a source of contemplation and inspiration. That's how we define our role as musicians and filmmakers. We aim to be idea factories and sources of vision and inspiration.
OUR TRACK RECORD
The past ten years speak for themselves: We have embarked on 8 feature film projects. We finished all of them and all of our films have toured the intl. film festival circuit and have been enjoyed by thousands of people world wide be it in theatres, on TV, on DVD or HD download!
TRUST
We won't just take your hard earned money and run with it. We will keep you informed throughout the entire production of the film all the way to screenings around the globe!
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help:
If you cannot support our film financially you can spread the word as loud and as often as possible. Often word of mouth generates more of a buzz than all the PR money in the world!
Spread the word via the web, at the bar, and wake your neighbour Sunday morning at 6 and tell him about HARD SOIL.
AND FINALLY...
Now be a pirate, come on board & help us raise the black flag!
P.S.
If you want to get an even more detailed idea what we're all about visit us at:
www.slowboatfilms.com
www.muddyrootsmusic.com
