40 Watts From Nowhere
Feature | United States | 87 Minutes | English
40 WATTS FROM NOWHERE is about Los Angeles pirate radio station KBLT. It is based around vintage footage shot in 1998 that shows the station operating 24/7 out of an apartment closet in Silver Lake with DJs running the gamut from Keith Morris (Circle Jerks), Mike Watt (Minutemen) and Don Bolles (Germs) to garden-variety music fans playing everything from jungle and punk to vintage country and French pop.
Sue Carpenter started the 40-watt FM station in 1995, exploiting a legal case that allowed hundreds of low-power illegal radio operators to proliferate throughout the country and gave birth to the legal LPFM movement. Carpenter was 28 years old, a secretary and an aspiring journalist when she first set up KBLT and invited strangers into her house to spin whatever the hell they wanted. It soon took on a life of its own, drawing Mazzy Starr to headline a benefit concert and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to play live in her living room.
The vintage footage captures the arc of the story, from its full-tilt heyday in the summer of 1998 to its FCC shutdown later that year. The vintage footage is rounded out with interviews Carpenter conducted in 2023, including Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and pirate radio activist Stephen Dunifer.
“What a delight” says film critic Steve Kopian (www.unseenfilms.net) about 40 WATTS FROM NOWHERE.
Director: Sue Carpenter
After the Screening: A live conversation with director Sue Carpenter and editor Amanda Laws.
Fighting Gravity
Short | United States | 36 Minutes 45 Seconds | English
Fighting Gravity is an iconic American music collective hailing from the heart of Richmond, Virginia. Originating as the spirited Ska ensemble, Boy O Boy, the band evolved by seamlessly weaving together an eclectic tapestry of genres, including Reggae, rock, and, of course, Ska. Born amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Virginia Tech, Fighting Gravity emerged with their inaugural album, "Boy O Boy," in 1991.
Fast forward to 2017, where the magic of reunion shows began to unfold, much to the delight of their devoted fan base. Every year since, Fighting Gravity has graced the stage once again, reigniting the fervor and enthusiasm that surrounds their timeless sound. Join us as we embark on a musical journey, exploring the resilience and enduring spirit of Fighting Gravity.
Tickets - $10
Director: Curtis Bogg
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