Film Review: A Nashville State of Mind

Title:               A Nashville State of Mind
Director:              John-Martin Vogel, Eric LaRocca Mainade
Producer:            Samantha Gibb, John-Martin Vogel, Eric LaRocca Mainade
Screenwriter:
Cinema:                Leonardo Gonzalez
Editor:                   Michael McWhorter, John-Martin Vogel, Eric LaRocca Mainade
Year:                      2008 (102 minutes)

Synopsis: A Nashville State of Mind is a story of a band’s entry into Nashville, Tennessee’s ever-growing alternative music scene and the community of “transplant” musicians, who left everything behind to pursue their dreams in Music City. Inspired by Samantha Gibb (daughter of the late Maurice Gibb) and her band M.E.G.’s move to Nashville after her father’s passing, this music-filled documentary shines a light on the local music industry. We get to drop in on Jeremy Lister, Autovaughn, Katie Herzig, Kyle Andrews, Aaron Winters, Ricky Young, Leigh Nash, Courtney Jaye, Brooke Waggoner and others. We get a glimpse of the lives of these musicians/songwriters who struggle to follow their dreams day in and day out. A Nashville State of Mind also includes special appearances from industry professionals like Hank III, Jody Williams (BMI), Dan Keen (ASCAP), and Doc McGhee and Scott McGhee (McGhee Entertainment).

Review: Nashville may be the home of country music, but it is also the home of a very vibrant alternative music scene that is growing and attracting artists from around the country. That movement is captured in A Nashville State of Mind.

Part documentary, part rockumentary, A Nashville State of Mind does a good job of telling the story of the alternative music scene in Nashville and showcasing some of its up-and-coming artists. The film also includes interviews with members of the music industry who are intimately familiar with this somewhat secret side of the Nashville music scene.

I don’t know if this is what happened, but it seemed to me that the directors and the musicians realized they were part of a really cool thing, and with very little preparation, they just starting filming it. That’s not to say that the film seems poorly planned, just that it seems fresh and real. The directors did a great job of capturing the energy and the community feel that exists among the musicians.

I enjoyed this film both because of the story that was being told and the music that was part of it. If the alternative music scene in Nashville ever needs an ad, this movie will do the job.

(3.5 out of 5.0)