If you’re anything like us here at Music Feeds HQ, you probably love music docos. Hell you’ve probably got a little corner of your DVD shelf dedicated to them. But hey, it’s 2016 man, what are you doing still collecting DVDs? It’s the age of the streaming service, didn’t you hear?
Both Netflix Australia and Stan have amazing collections of music docos to choose from, and so with that in mind we thought we would bring you our list of the 7 Best Music Documentaries Streaming Now In Australia, brought to you by the new Samsung SUHD TV.
Searching For A Sugar Man
The music industry is full of wild stories, but of all of them the tale of Rodriguez must be the most unlikely and most uplifting. Recording two albums in the early 70s before disappearing from music altogether, Detroit musician Sixto Rodriguez would go on to become a huge star in South Africa, albeit unbeknownst to him. I’ll leave it there to avoid ruining anymore of the film but trust me – if you haven’t seen this film already, close this story right now and go and watch it.
https://youtu.be/8hEojBYmR-o
Searching For A Sugar Man is streaming now on Stan
When You’re Strange
Narrated by Johnny Depp, When You’re Strange tells the true story of The Doors, that according to keyboardist Ray Manzarek was lost in Oliver Stone’s 1991 film. Featuring footage from Jim Morrison’s 1969 film fragment HWY: An American Pastoral, director Tom DiCillo’s film is as rich visually as Depp’s voice is dreamy, with the combination of the two making for a feast for the senses.
When You’re Strange is streaming now on Netflix
Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown To Off The Wall
Spike Lees’ love letter to the Michael Jackson he grew up with, Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown To Off The Wall shines a light on the often forgotten years between when he first stepped in the limelight with the Jackson 5 to his debut as a solo artist. Featuring interviews with Michael himself, as well as his family, friends and collaborators, the film offers a rare insight into the mind of the young artist that would go onto the conquer the music world, painting a picture of a talent dedicated to being the best. Seriously inspiring stuff here.
https://youtu.be/csrt1obEnJ0
Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown To Off The Wall is streaming now on Stan
We Are Twisted F***ing Sister
If ever a phenomenon deserved a documentary, the rise of hair metal band Twisted Sister is certainly one of them. Recounting the ten years the band spent playing in the Long Island bar scene director Andrew Horn documents their rise from their humble origins in the early 70s to their pre-MTV rise to popularity in the early 80s. A proper rags to riches story of hard work and self belief paying off, this is a rock n roll doco as you will ever see.
https://youtu.be/kpjKokO7vRM
We Are Twisted F***ing Sister is streaming now on Netflix
Reincarnated
Following Snoop Dogg as he travels to Jamaica and smokes himself silly enough to think he can make it as a reggae artist, Reincarnated is a must see for any fans of the iconic rapper. Especially as this is also the ‘trip’ that lead him to change his name to Snoop Lion. The music might not be great, but this doco is very entertaining if only because of Snoop’s larger than life personality.
Reincarnated is streaming now on Netflix
Autoluminescent: Roland S. Howard
Few figures loom as heavily over Australian music as Roland S. Howard, the iconic guitarist from The Birthday Party and accomplished solo artist, having left an indelible legacy of noisey guitars and less than stellar personal care that is still felt today. Unraveling the story of his life and mystery of genius, this film delves into who he was an a man as well as the impact he had as an artist and features interviews with everyone from his former band mate Nick Cave to seminal German film director Wim Wenders.
https://youtu.be/BpP9iWupUo0
Autoluminescent: Roland S. Howard is streaming now on Stan
DIG!
Speaking of larger than life personalities, DIG! is the story of one of the biggest. Anton Fucking Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Denounced by Newcombe himself and the films narrator/co-lead The Dandy Warhols frontman Courtney Taylor Taylor as misrepresenting the bands involved and drumming up a Jerry Springer-like vibe by over-emphasising certain events, the film’s entertainment factor certainly doesn’t suffer because of it.
https://youtu.be/84oiQJ1N9To
DIG! is streaming now on Netflix
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