How To Grow A Band debuts this week

This Friday, April 15, will mark the official premiere of How To Grow A Band, the documentary film by Mark Meatto that followed Chris Thile and Punch Brothers across the US and the UK over the past two years. It will be shown on Friday during the Nashville Film Festival at Nashville’s Regal 16 Green Hills.

The movie had originally been expected to hit last year, but as is often the case with independent films, editing was dependent on fundraising. But it is finished now, and should be a fan favorite for anyone interested in Thile’s particular genius, the stunning music produced by Punch Brothers, or the dynamics of how a collective, creative musical venture develops.

The film follows the band during the time just prior to the release of Punch, their first album as Punch Brothers, through their tour that featured Thile’s 40 minute four-movement suite The Blind Leaving The Blind in its entirety for the first time. The piece was both challenging to perform, and for non-musician audiences to digest, and Meatto had his single camera there to capture the whole thing.

Here is the official trailer…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4c2Em7aeik

… and the band’s performance of a transcription of JS Bach’s 3rd Brandenburg Concerto that appears in the film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1NNBf7uVQ4

It is hoped that How To Grow A Band will be distributed to art movie houses across the world after this premiere, and should eventually be offered on DVD.

Share this:

About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.