FAILURE DOCUMENTARY (extended trailer): “do they know that?… really?”
This will be a rare time I provide you with an actual media link, since I encourage you to take your own trip... but I believe it is mandatory for this sucker, so please do not miss out. It matters. I’ll wait….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUKqmuYR40Y
Yes, Failure is a powerful and brilliant band. Yes, Ken Andrews has been so admirably talented across every creative metric in music for many years. Yes, this documentary trailer is probably the best music documentary trailer I have ever seen. With that said, one of the most hard-hitting-my-life-reflective moments explodes from this trailer that instantaneously made me emotional, the very first time I viewed this back in the spring of 2022. It's about art, the artist and one's trek through life. Although I will focus on what I know best, music, I believe every artist needs to take stock and experience the 12 necessary seconds inside the 6 minutes and 55 seconds of this trailer.
Failure! I first witnessed them in 1994 as an opener for Tool. Obviously, this was even pre-epic 1996 rock record release, "Fantastic Planet", and they still made an impression. I found them to be just as musically impactful as Tool, who were on a rocket-ship to a separate stardom planet. I knew I was gonna keep Failure on a short leash. Then came "Fantastic Planet", a fourth band member, and they became this amazing musical color spectrum in my ears. That record became unfair to most other records at the time. Then came the drugs and drugs and all the bullshit that morphs reason and production into a pile of excrement. Adios amigos. Band over. What the absolute f!&k!?!... After going their separate ways and singer/songwriter/producer Ken Andrews conquering the planet, luckily the band reunited in 2014 to a long-awaiting and larger fanbase. They started up exactly where they left off, which was 10 tons of spectacular. I plan on doing a more in depth column on Failure at some point, but that's not the point of this present share.
Character movie actor, devoted Failure fan and survivor of self-inflictions, David Dastmalchian, unleashes a moment... "You worry that the people you admire so much don't get it. You sometimes wonder, do they know how many thousands of times that this song pulled me out of something? Do they know that?... Really?" The matter-of-fact heartfelt conviction that he conveys is striking and truthful. People like David, myself and hundreds, thousands or millions of people feel the same connection and appreciation that we hope that specific artist truly understands. You feel it is imperative that they know that.
If you're an invested lifer and lover of music, it consistently invades your personal life, whether you are prepared or not. Usually, you don't just listen to music, you plant yourself at live shows. That is one of the ways you develop a more personal connection to the artist, for good or bad. Songs, albums and performances create lyrical stamps, melodic stamps, experiential stamps and time stamps in your memory. This can have a significant present and future effect on your emotions, and can even catch you unprepared... or you can plan it?
I have battled through numerous difficult short- and long-term experiences in life spanning through every decade. Most people are no different. Those were times that forced me to mature, accept blame or leave things behind. That was, without question, when I naturally sought out music the most. I would specifically seek out an album, or even more, a particular song to emote... even if it made me feel more depressed, angry or alone. I guess it's just this intense emotional cleanse. Maybe I feel like I have a harmonious compadre. This natural attraction to these musical hugs or slaps were crucial to go from A to B to C in my temporary struggles. There is no chance I am alone in this endeavor, whether or not people truly acknowedge it.
I have spent time with more than my fair share of musicians over the course of my life. MUCH more important to me, I have had the opportunity to work with many, as well. When you work with artists/talent, truly give a shit about them and their careers, and don't treat them as financial cattle, you find the ability to see the art creatively from the other side, and you want the artists to understand what you see from their other side. It becomes important to you that, yes, they "do know that... really".
Do they know that?... Really? I think the emotionally attentive ones sometimes do, because I'm sure most of them experienced it themselves as they grew up. Sometimes they welcome the recognition, sometimes they fear the responsibility, but sometimes they absorb the gratitude like jet fuel.
Do they know that?... Really? This was another inspiration to create this website.
