EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Erykah Badu, LeAnn Rimes, Pretty Lights, and The Crystal Method Talk 'Re:Generation Music Project'

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 17:20

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Playing in select theaters on February 16th and February 23rd only is the new music documentary Re:Generation Music Project. The movie is directed by Amir Bar-Lev (The Tillman Story) and follows five DJs including DJ Premier, Mark Ronson, Skrillex, Pretty Lights, and The Crystal Method, as they remix, recreate and re-imagine five traditional styles of music. The film also features appearances by musical artists such as NAS, Erykah Badu, Ziggaboo Modeliste, Mos Def, Trombone Shorty, Members of The Dap-Kings, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore of The Doors, LeAnn Rimes, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Martha Reeves, and The Funk Brothers.

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Erykah Badu, LeAnn Rimes and Pretty Lights, and The Crystal Method to discuss their work on both the film and soundtrack for Re:Generation Music Project. The artists discussed how they became involved with the project, what it says about musicians, Badu's unlikely songwriting inspiration, and The Crystal Method's bittersweet tour of Detroit with Motown legend Martha Reeves.

To watch our interview with Erykah Badu, LeAnn Rimes and Pretty Lights, and The Crystal Method about their work on Re:Generation Music Project, please click on the video player above.

SYNOPSIS:

A catalyst for musical innovation, Re:Generation Music Project is a new documentary that examines music's past, present and future, while yielding five revolutionary collaborations in the process. Directed by award-winning documentarian, Amir Bar-Lev, the documentary follows five electronic DJs/producers as they re-imagine music collaborating with influential artists from each genre. In the film, The Crystal Method, DJ Premier, Pretty Lights, Mark Ronson, and Skrillex use technology to mix musical styles and generations for the creation of five original tracks that are nothing short of magical. Grammy-nominated artist Skrillex heads into a Los Angeles studio with members of the iconic rock band, The Doors, to collaborate on a new song, "Breakin' A Sweat." Meanwhile, The Crystal Method touched down in Detroit to work with Martha Reeves of The Vandellas and The Funk Brothers on the R&B number, "I'm Not Leaving." Mark Ronson created a southern brew of New Orleans jazz in 'A La Modeliste" that boasts a veritable all-star cast of Erykah Badu, Trombone Shorty, Mos Def, Zigaboo Modeliste, and Members of The Dap Kings. DJ Premier tapped NAS and Boston's very own Berklee Symphony Orchestra for his "Regeneration,' and the documentary culminates in Nashville on the dusty intergalactic twang of Pretty Lights' "Wayfaring Stranger" featuring vocals from LeAnn Rimes and Dr. Ralph Stanley.