Mellodrama profile picture

Mellodrama

About Me

Mellodrama, a documentary by Dianna Dilworth, explores the rising and falling fortunes of the Mellotron – the first musical keyboard to “sample” the sounds of other instruments – from its birth in a California garage in the 1950s, through its dominance on concert stages in the 1970s, through its almost religious cult of followers in the 2000s. From the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields” to Black Sabbath to Kanye West, Mellodrama is a 50-year odyssey of musical invention, revolution, betrayal, and rediscovery.Soon, through the music of the Beatles, the Zombies, and the Moody Blues, the Mellotron became the "instant magic sound." In the 1970s, the Mellotron defined the sound of progressive rock bands like King Crimson, Roxy Music, and Genesis. Though forgotten during the 1980s, when digital synthesizers hijacked pop music, the Mellotron is today again a highly desired and sought-after device, a connection for artists like Radiohead and Kanye West to the mystical lost world of invention and possibility.Mellodrama chronicles the fascinating fifty-year history using original interviews with Brian Wilson [Beach Boys], Mike Pinder [Moody Blues], Rod Argent [The Zombies], Rick Nielsen [Cheap Trick], Ian McDonald [King Crimson], Brian Kehew [Author "Recording the Beatles"], Jon Brion [Producer--Kanye West, Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann], Patrick Moraz [Refugee, The Moody Blues, Yes], Jesse Carmichael [Maroon 5], Matthew Sweet [Recording Artist], Michael Penn [Recording Artist], among many others.

My Interests

I'd like to meet:

Mellotron users and abusers..

My Blog

Mellodrama NYC premiere at CMJ

Mellodrama is screening as part of the CMJ Music Marathon Friday October 23 at 4pm.The screening will be held at the Norwood (241 W 14th St New York, NY) Requires a CMJ badge and an RSVP to get in. M...
Posted by on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:26:00 GMT

Mellodrama screenings this weekend, Tucson, Memphis

Mellodrama is screening this weekend in Memphis and in Tucson:Tucson Music and Film Festivalhttp://www.tucsonfilmandmusicfestival.com/Tucson, AZSaturday October 10 at 3:30 PM - Crossroads CinemaIndie ...
Posted by on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Mellodrama fall screenings from Memphis to Switzerland

We are very excited to announce a number of screenings coming up:9/19 Portobello Film Festival, London, UKThe TabernacleProwis Square W11 2AY (Notting Hill Gate Tube)3:30pm 9/22 Atlantic Film Festival...
Posted by on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:18:00 GMT

Mellodrama Screening in Santiago, Chile 8/21 and 8/22

Mellodrama screening in Santiago, Chile for SANFIC at Teatro Lastarria 90 Friday Aug 21st at 10pm and Saturday Aug 22 7:30pmhttp://www.sanfic.cl/http://www.lastarria90.cl/
Posted by on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:56:00 GMT

Mellodrama Screening in Santiago, Chile

At the Santiago Film Festival in Chile (http://www.sanfic.cl/)Stay tuned for screening days and times...
Posted by on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:55:00 GMT

Mellodrama screening in Philly, Friday June 26th

Mellodrama is screening at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival Friday June 26th5:13PM941 Theater941 North Front Streethttp://www.941theater.com/http://piff2009.blogspot.com /
Posted by on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:30:00 GMT

Reminder: MELLODRAMA 2:30pm today, Winston-Salem, NC

Revolve Film and Music Festival Carswell Hall at Wake Forest University 1834 Wake Forest Road Winston-Salem, NC For more information about the Revolve Film and Music Festival: http://www.revolvef...
Posted by on Fri, 22 May 2009 08:23:00 GMT

Mellodrama North Carolina premiere, this Friday

Screening this Friday May 22, at the Revolve Film Festival at 2:30pm at Carswell Hall, Wake Forest UniversityTo buy tickets:TicketsMore information: http://www.revolvefestival.com/2009/mellodrama.htm...
Posted by on Tue, 19 May 2009 13:44:00 GMT

Mellodrama to play in Winston-Salem, NC

We are happy to announce the Mellodrama will be screening at the Revolve Music and Film Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Friday May 22. Stay tuned for the location and showtime.http://www....
Posted by on Sun, 03 May 2009 12:16:00 GMT

Mellodrama in Madrid May 10th

22:45 Cine Estudio del Círculo de Bellas Artes
Posted by on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:27:00 GMT