The Super 8 Diaries independent film and music project comes to Sydney this weekend. Based around a film project documenting the Australian independent guitar music scene, it's been a long-term labour of love for the DIY filmmakers involved. (Read more here). Culminating in a DVD launch party last year, the creators are journeying up the Hume this weekend for a launch in Sydney.

In between "Customer Feedback" phone calls to superannuation customers Matt Richards, the co-creator of the project (along with Jeremy Rouse, the other half of production team Trainwreck 20/20) chatted to us about organising gigs independently, lighting and HOTT parties. PART 1. (Pic: Chris Frey)

So the Super 8 launch in Melbourne last January seemed a no-brainer considering you're based there and shot a lot of the DVD's  footage there. What's the processbehind launching it now in Sydney?

Well Iguess we had really good feedback on the vibe at our Melbourne showsand word traveled up to Sydney with people wishing someone would putsomething like that on up there. We thought "Where there is a need we will try and fill it". It seems there is a gap in the larger scale DIY thing at the moment. Full PA, high production values without a laser show;
somethingwhere people can feel comfortable and actually meet people and talk tothem without DJ's blaring stuff at them like some "Alice in Wonderland" MTV show. That and the fact that without distribution it seemed a great way to let more people know about our project.

So how did you go about choosing the bands, organising the place and the logistics (PA, mixer etc) and the general promo of it?

Sorry dude. (Pause) On the phone.

No rush.

Sydney circles DIY wise are kinda straight hardcore. Or punk, or indie. Whatwe try to do - and it's reflected in the choice of bands in the diaries- is reflect that punk aesthetic or integrity across a wider scope instyles. And I use the word "punk" reluctantly.

We have relied on web promo for the show. Luckilya few contacts have taken care of street press and radio up there forus. It really has been a one man job so I am totally grateful for thehelp. My Disco recommended the PA. And Shauntenzenmen who does a lot of punk, DIY stuff put us onto the space andthen we just looked for a set of bands who we thought would be goodto mix up together.

And is Jeremy (the other partner in Trainwreck 20/20) involved in the Sydney launch as well?

Jez willbe there and is certainly helping with the launch and prep on the day. But all the preproduction work, booking, liasing, promo is handled by myself. I guess also promo wise we are relying a lot on word of mouth.

 I noticedwith the last Super 8 show and, to a lesser extent, the fundraiser the year before, that it was lit starkly but very cinematically. I thought it looked great and tended to unite and include the room, rather than theusual deal of putting the band on "show" and the crowd in the dark. Itseemed unique. Was that primarily a filming reason?

Partly for filming and partly to distinguish ourselves from 'HOTT PARTIES' and 'FESTIVALS' and the like. WhenI watch a band I like to be able to see what they are doing and Ireally get a kick out of watching them communicate non verbally witheach other.

I realised I hadn't seen that at a gig for a long time.

I do filmlighting for a living so that may have something to do with it. I alsoneed glasses at night and lose my friends in the dark...

I guess it also doesn't allow the band to hide any.

Yep that too. We don't subscribe to the "rockstar" ethos and it's good to see a band perform as real people, free of gimmicks. Like flashy lighting. Seeingbands as real people doing inspiring things hopefully opens the audience to that reality of being able to create and push themselves and not justretreat into some passive viewing mode. It'sgood to be able to see other peoples faces because music that is honest,affects you and visibility can leave you very open and raw. But onceembraced it can be very empowering. All the bands really put in the best they can on the day too. There is this sense of one-up-man-ship going on. Friendly though. I guess documenting them on the day pushes their performance as well.

PART 2

Super 8 Diaries - Sydney Launch Details

Trainwreck 20/20 Production Team

DVD preview and purchasing