Lars Von Trier, acclaimed filmmaker (and director responsible for making Bjork cry) tends to make films that are so incredible that you only want to sit through them once. Sorry film buffs, his work is amazing, but it’s so gad-nammed depressing. I own a copy of his 2003 film Dogville, starring Nicole Kidman, and I’ve suceessfulyl watched it once. I’ve started it 10 times, but I keep on digging my fingernails into my palms and shouting, so I usually end up watching something a little easier on the senses, like A Clockwork Orange or Apocalypse Now.

We interviewed Von Trier in Synthesis Digital Issue #5, which is available for free download HERE.

In the meantime, check out Dogville’s credits, with music by David Bowie set to some uplifting pictures of early 1900s America. USA! USA!

Apart from boasting a shithead college for shithead students and the world famous Sierra Nevada Brewery, Chico, California, has a thriving (if not nationally recognized) music scene. Many of the players in this scene contribute to a summer School of Rock-style band camp named The Collective Sound. Last year they decided to start putting together a documentary of the goings-on of the staff and the campers, aged 12-18. Watching it will give you that warm on the insides feeling. Please enjoy Episode 4.

Set in the small town of Chico California, Let It Be Heard… is an inspirational story of a small group of young musicians that embark on an adventure of a lifetime. The web documentary follows the journey of 50 young artists, come together from around the world, for 3 weeks of The Collective Sound Summer Music Academy, the worlds first touring summer music camp.

Underground Bands: Ronnie Johns Half Hour

Check it!!!

This is one of the best documentaries ever made, except for this one.

In what is interesting news to some, Ozzfest, which was once a lucrative touring festival, and later a “free”, half- assed touring festival, has now been downsized to a one day metalfest of sorts. My guess is bands finally realized that paying upwards of $80,000 to play for free on a nationwide tour is not worth it anymore. On the positive side, the lineup for one day show (held in Dallas, Texas at Pizza Hut Park) will feature performances from some pretty impressive bands; Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Serj Tankian, Hellyeah, Jonathan Davis and others. Kids that love outdated music and washed up, used-to-be-in-a-big-band-but-have-to-play-less-important-solo-music are stoked.