Watch Other Music

Other Music is a 2019 documentary film that depicts the emotional and bittersweet final days of an independent record store called Other Music, which was based in the heart of Manhattan. The store was a cultural institution that has been in the music scene for over two decades. The documentary encapsulates the memories and significance that the record store holds for its employees, customers and musicians who made the NYC music scene what it is today.

Throughout the movie, we meet the staff of the store - Chris Vanderloo, Josh Madell, and Daniel Givens - who have left their mark in the music industry. Their stories show the connection they have to the store, the customers and their music. The staff has been integral in establishing the store's cultural significance and shaping the music industry in New York.

The documentary captures the essence of the store and the customers that frequent it. It showcases how the record store provides a platform for artists and bands to showcase their music and build a sound to call their own. The store, through its events and recommendations, has encouraged its customers to explore the music of different cultures and genres. The story of Other Music, in a sense, is the story of the music scene in New York – it mirrors the scene's changing trends, challenges and evolution.

The director aims to document more than what Other Music represents. The film provides glimpses of the gentrification that is happening in New York City, that results in the closure of many independent stores in the area. The documentary examines the socio-economic factors at play, which ultimately lead to the closing of Other Music. The film illustrates the struggle of what it means to be an independent record store in the current era, where digital music stores dominate the market.

The film takes us behind the scenes of the day-to-day workings of the record store, observing how the store got by financially and fostering relationships with their customers. The customers come from all genres, social classes and their stories display how the store has impacted their lives, their youth, and experiences in New York City.

The allure of the record store is evident in the memories it holds for its customers. We see through the customers' eyes; the nostalgic feeling it generates, the connection to other people and the culture that surrounds it. The film portrays various interviews from musicians, customers, and music industry insiders who have been touched by the other music community. For some, Other Music was where they found their ion for music, while for others, it was just a place to hang out, meet like-minded people and learn about different musical cultures.

The film gets the pulse of the independent music scene and how it has changed over the years. The film doesn’t shy away from addressing the irony of record stores as symbols of antiquity, despite their novelty and their importance in shaping the musical culture of generations past. The movie addresses that tangibly, depicting the ways in which Other Music innovated over several years, transformed strategy and how they adapted to changing market trends. However, ultimately, the documentary reveals the harsh realities of business and changing economics, which led to the closure of the store.

The film brings to life the Other Music community once again, a community that was once a catalyst for the New York music scene. The documentary is a eulogy to the record store, the staff, its customers, and its impact on the industry. It is an emotional tribute to a place and time that has ed and attempts to preserves the memory of Other Music.

In conclusion, the Other Music documentary is a compelling, fun and engaging celebration of music and of the people who made it all happen. The film provides a solid look at the rise, fall and the multitude of memories that the store generated in the music community. For anyone interested in music or the independent business industry, this documentary is a must-watch.

Other Music is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 68.