14 October, 2021Print
Dr. Martens Partners With Emerging Filmmakers To Showcase Local Scenes in LA And NYC For Next Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series
2021 Series Showcases LA’s Latinx Indie, Women in Punk and Queer Indie Scenes Along With Tech Afrique NYC’s Afrohouse scene, DIY & Underground Alternative Scenes
PORTLAND, OR (October 14, 2021) Today, iconic footwear brand Dr. Martensannounces their 2021 curated “Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series” which explores NY and LA music communities through the lens of six emerging filmmakers - Chelsea Odufu, Wes O’Connor, Ali Roberto, Jeanette D. Moses, Ambar Navarro and Fredgy Noël. In partnership with COLLiDE Agency, these six short documentary-style films highlight artists, musicians and die-hard fans in the music scenes they've created; where decades of young talent continue to experiment, inspire and sharpen their sound.
Confirmed cast for the 2021 Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series includes The Linda Lindas, MUNA, Oliver Ackermann (A Place to Bury Strangers), L’Rain, Neon Indian, Inner Wave, L.A. Witch, Patty Schemel, Avalon Lurks, Backstage Pass, Rebelmatic, DJ AQ, Danie, Doris Muñoz, Edwina Hay, Eli Fola, Exene Cervenka, Harmless, OVEOUS, Polartropica, Rahel, Joey Labeija, Rett Madison, Saturn Risin9, Selena Ruiz, THICK, Walter Wlodarczyk, Kimberly Drew, Cakes Da Killa, Khalif, Michael Martinez.
ABOUT EPISODE #1
NYC-based filmmaker and visual artist Chelsea Odufu, known for her and Eli Fola’s Tech Afrique parties bridges the gap between today’s popular house music and the foundational African sounds that built the genre. Odufu and Eli Fola co-founded Tech Afrique, an electronic music label that promotes Afrofuturistic ideas. The film positions black joy as a form of resistance and activism as artists reclaim space for people of color in electronic music.
Watch as Odufu captures the riveting spiritual energy of this scene and explores the roots of NY’s Afro House scene in the full episode with the musicians Eli Fola and DJ AQ narrated by OVEOUS and featuring L’Rain: https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/dm-presents-afro-house-nyc
“There is an emerging electronic music sub culture leading the Afro House scene in New York City with the goal of promoting Afrofuturistic ideas,” says Odufu. “Oftentimes, Black people have disassociated themselves from house music as they feel it’s “white peoples” music. This film as part of the Dr Martens Series Aims to change that perspective and educate people on the Black origins of House music.”
Listen to this Spotify playlist inspired by Odufu’s short film:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2g69W7C0UqxytzYKeg98G1
ABOUT EPISODE #2
Filmmaker Wes O’Connor feels most at home in their queerness behind the camera. In their Dr. Martens Presents episode, O’Connor set out to discover where that special place is for musicians like MUNA, Polartropica, Saturn Risin9 and Rett Madison. From the beach to their bedrooms, these artists take O’Connor across Los Angeles to share their safe spaces and unique relationships to the queer music scene. Catch the full episode here: https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/dm-presents-queer-indie-la
"I've been immersed in and documenting the queer music scene in Los Angeles ever since I moved here in 2016,” says O’Connor. “Dr. Martens Presents gave me the opportunity to contextualize that scene, to ground it in queer LA history and geography and explore how community and artistry grow together, while highlighting four amazing artists and the spaces that inspire them: MUNA, Polartropica, Rett Madison and Saturn Risin9.”
Next Monday, October 18, Rett Madison, Polartropica and Saturn Risin9 will perform live on the Dr. Martens USA Instagram page beginning at 4 PM PT as a part of the series. Be sure to tune in here.
Listen to this Spotify playlist inspired by O’Connor’s short film:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7EdF0Lg3ScYn3KGg3LASJJ
And stay connected with the Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series here: do we want to www.drmartenspresents.com
Later in the series, filmmakers Ambar Navarro, Fredgy Noël, Jeanette D. Moses and Ali Roberto, will highlight a myriad of scenes across genres, generations and groundbreaking musicians who through a plethora of archival footage and unflinching interviews.
“The Dr. Martens community is made up of fearless, resilient, and creative individuals who express themselves without compromise, and accept others just the way they are," says Julia Seltzer, Vice President Americas Marketing at Dr. Martens. "An important way our brand connects with our community is through Dr. Martens own rich history in music. This fall, the Dr. Martens Presents Series is celebrating artists, musicians, creatives and die-hard fans who have found each other in local music scenes by sharing stories of connection, creativity, community and resilience. We are shining a light on the importance of these communities - and the impact they have on the musicians who will be shaping the next generation.”
2020’s series showcased NY and LA artists Blimes and Gab, Cautious Clay, duendita, Frankie & The Witch Fingers, Lauren Ruth Ward, NEZ, Orion Sun, The Regrettes, Rosehardt, Stuyedeyed, Sunflower Bean and Tolliver with filmmakers Ali Roberto (LA) and Gabriel Gomez (NY). More here: https://variety.com/2020/music/news/dr-martens-announces-music-film-series-lineup-1234815489/
ABOUT DR. MARTENS
The first pair of Dr. Martens boots rolled off the production line on the 1st April 1960. With its trademark yellow stitch, grooved sole and heel-loop, it was a boot for workers, initially worn by postmen and policemen; comfortable, durable and lightweight in comparison to its competitors at the time.
Throughout Dr. Martens history, the brand has been adopted and subverted by diverse individuals, musicians, youth cultures and tribes. These are the people who stand out from the crowd and their journey of self-expression has always been accompanied by a pair of DM’s.
The simple silhouette allows people to customize each pair; whilst on a utilitarian level their famous durability and comfort make them ideal footwear for the world of gigs and street fashion. On an emotional level, they are a flag of attitude and empowerment.
The Northamptonshire factory where it all began still exists to this day, in the village of Wollaston. A specific range of ‘Made In England’ products are manufactured here by a small, close-knit team of people schooled in traditional shoe-making and a process that hasn’t changed since our first pair six decades ago.