Sit down and listen to your favorite record. What went into the creation of that group of songs you so totally enjoy? Who wrote that music? Who played it? But what you might have overlooked is the question of how and where this particular track was actually created. Where did the magic literally happen? What was that exact moment like?

Dave Grohl, drummer for Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, Tenacious D and front man of the Foo Fighters begs this question in his cinematic directorial debut, Sound City, a documentary that premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. In 2011, Sound City, one of California's premier analog recording studios announced its closure due to increased demand for digital music production. Often, we listeners overlook the actual recording process which many artists would argue is the most important portion of the musical journey. Though a song may have already been written, the song may change somewhat as the band works in the sound booth. Grohl's purpose for Sound City is to emphasize that very moment of creation.

If Sound City had been some little, unknown studio, this might not have caused any drama. However, since some of the most influential rock albums including Neil Young's After the Gold Rush, Fleetwood Mac's eponymous release, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Damn the Torpedoes, Rick Springfield's Working Class Dog, Nirvana's Nevermind and Rage Against the Machine's self-titled debut were all recorded at the studio, the news caused quite a fuss. As one of the most respected contemporary musicians today, when Grohl becomes ambitious and calls out for support for one of his many musical endeavors, everyone comes running.

The film starts with an introduction to Sound City, embellishing the detailed history of the studios with anecdotes from various administrators and employees of the studio, including Tom Skeeter, its major owner from 1969 to 1992. Sound City, a studio not to be judged at first glance, as almost every musician admits, experienced an upsurge in popularity in the 1970s and early '80s.

However, the studio almost closed down until Nirvana's 16-day Nevermind session created an extremely high demand for studio time that was only ended by the advent of Pro Tools, Auto-Tune and other innovative recording technologies. The film also touches upon the Sound City's unique control panel and the studio's unrivaled ability to capture a perfect drum sound. The first, more historical and less personal section of the movie is somewhat more difficult to follow, especially for viewers who do not have prior knowledge of rock and alternative music.

As the section continues, everyone from Tom Petty to Rick Springfield to producers Rick Rubin, founder of Def Jam records, and Butch Vig, who produced Nevermind, spoke about their relationship and experiences with the recording studio. When the mere descriptions of a building are as personal and touching as those said by countless musicians, producers, administrators and technicians, you know that you are going to be in for a special journey.

And that's really the kind of feeling Grohl strives for with Sound City. During the production stages of the previous Foo Fighters album, Wasting Light, the front man was very explicit about maintaining a "human" feel by recording on analog tape instead of using any digital programs.

Though Sound City is the general background for the film, Grohl also focuses on the idea of collaborating with others and establishing a sense of family between fellow musicians. "Chemistry is something that happens between people" says Lars Ulrich, drummer of Metallica, when asked about his approach to music. The allure of Sound City Studios was its familial and homey vibe.

Perhaps the most special section of the movie was the final 30 minutes, which show Grohl leading several live recording sessions with major names of the music industry, further emphasizing the importance of human contact in music. Sessions with Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and Paul McCartney of The Beatles, among others were included in the film. However, an album titled Sound City-Real to Reel, chronicling the entire series of sessions, including those not show in the film, will be released on March 12.

Although Sound City is by nature a documentary, Grohl's fabulous directing and careful production allows it to feel like a cohesive story from beginning to end. Grohl employs no real narrator but he organizes every quote so it seems as though a narrator is reading a script. The fluidity that Grohl worked so hard to promote comes through even in the telling of his tale, partially because of his organizational and directional skills but probably more importantly because of Grohl's selection of people to include in the documentary.

Everyone involved in the production of the movie was extremely passionate about what Sound City stands for-honesty in music and finding beauty. That means allowing yourself to make mistakes, allowing yourself to be less than perfect. As Rubin insists in the film, "Be true to yourself and make that music that you love." There is no other way.
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