|
MTV New Media, a division of Viacom's MTV Networks, is set to explore the modern-day incarnation of Memphis,
Tennessee's legendary music scene with a groundbreaking, music-driven episodic
series created by "Hustle & Flow" director and Memphis-based filmmaker Craig
Brewer.
The series, "$5 Cover," glimpses into the lives of young modern-day
artists working to make their mark on the storied musical landscape those
legends created -- all the while creating drama of their own over 15 digital
episodes as they fight for love, inspiration and rent money.
Set in the clubs, all-nite cafes, no-tell motels and woolly neighborhoods of
present-day Memphis, the series is about music discovery and raw content. The
characters play themselves and perform their own music, with each episode
incorporating an exciting performance or recording session.
"$5 Cover" allows
viewers to follow authentic characters as they hustle to hone their craft and
survive the heat of the South. "$5 Cover" will be available on multiple screens,
including online at www.fivedollarcover.com, mobile and gaming devices and MP3
players.
More than an introduction to underground artists, "$5 Cover" gives viewers a
behind the scenes look at what's heating up Memphis. Viewers can take a virtual
tour of the local music scene, explore some of the cast's favorite hangouts, and
get an inside look at Memphis hotspots.
Additionally, MTV will share social
networking applications and other digital tools with fans to build anticipation
in between episodes and stoke their excitement for new content. MySpace and
Facebook widgets created for "$5 Cover" will continuously feed related content,
including exclusive music performances, video blogs and video tours of popular
Memphis juke joints.
"Content is now a click away and distribution platforms can fit in the palm of
your hand. Everyone in entertainment is trying to figure out what to make for
the online 'snacking' culture and how to craft a successful business model,"
said Brewer.
"I think the best any filmmaker or producer can do in this new
medium is embrace a frontier spirit, charge in head first, and celebrate what
you love. For me it's always been Memphis music and musicians. And now people
from around the world, at any time of the day, on a multitude of devices, will
be able to click and snack in my own backyard with some of the coolest cats this
side of the Mississippi River."
Memphis has been home to deep cultural exchanges as well as painful culture
clashes, but the birthplace of the blues, gospel and rock 'n' roll has always
been a town with a thriving music scene, where people from every walk of life
embrace every genre of music.
"$5 Cover" is a uniquely rich experience for
viewers and tells a compelling untold story of struggle and ambition.
Meet the Cast
Amy LaVere as Amy -- Rock/Indie/Americana
Southern songstress whose petite frame is smaller than the stand up bass she
plays. Sassy and talented, her voice is innocent and bewitching. She is
ambitious, but when she gets romantically involved with band mates, her
expectations fall short, creating yet another sad song.
Clare Grant -- Actress/Former Playboy "Babe of the Month"
She is the garage-band poster girl -- the drinking, dancing muse of all the
rockers in Memphis. When Clare can't find love she goes to extremes. She has
been known to party too hard and go home with the guys in the band, putting her
friendships in jeopardy.
Ben Nichols as Ben -- Rock/Southern Rock
Sexy-as-hell bad boy, and front man of Lucero. Ben is an old flame of Clare's
(amongst many others). He is constantly touring with his band, but is in town
long enough to turn Clare's world upside down. The kind of guy you wouldn't
bring home to mom, covered in tattoos, all the women swoon over him.
Al Kapone -- Rap/Crunk
Al is one of the originators of the Memphis underground rap explosion and a
pioneer of the Dirty South Crunk/Buck style of Hip-Hop. He is a true performer
and loves to work an audience. He mentors his son AJ, on the music game and
records his flow between delivery jobs.
Kate Crowder of Two Way Radio -- Indie Pop
Sweet and sincere, Kate is a mother and musician. Her voice is angelic and
evokes a world filled with cotton candy, bubblegum and carnivals. Her lyrics,
sometimes deep, are all about love.
Muck Sticky -- Rap/Comedy/Alternative
He is known as Muck, Muck Sticky, the Sticky Muck, or the Nifty Mervous Thrifty.
He is a tireless self-promoter and sincere ambassador of peace, friendship and
personal empowerment. Muck has a crush on Kate but is unable to express his
feelings for her.
Brad Postlethwaite as Brad -- Indie/Pop
Slender with glasses and a beard, Brad is a musical genius; he seems to play
with everyone in town and fronts a band called Snowglobe. Brad is dependable
and knows his way around Packy's studio.
Valerie June -- Folk/Rock
Valerie is a singer-songwriter, whose mysterious, melodic voice and eclectic,
neo-hippie style transcends her down home southern charm and wholesome beauty.
She lives in the same house as Amy, Clare and Wally and works at the local
coffee bar, Java Cabana.
Alicja Trout as Alicja -- Garage/Punk/Rock
Rock star and mother, Alicja is a bad ass, punk rock musical powerhouse and the
subject of one of Wally's many documentaries. She demands everyone's attention
when she is rocking out with her band River City Tanlines.
Harlan T Bobo -- Rock/Indie
Harlan T Bobo's ironic, tortured lamentations have established him as one of
Memphis's top singer-songwriters. At once humorous and sincere, Bobo's voice is
much the soundtrack for a packed Saturday-night show as it is the Sunday-morning
hangover that follows -- a love-weary, public diary of romance and loss.
Jack Oblivian of Jack O and the Tennessee Tearjerkers -- Rock/Indie
The patron saint of many a Memphis musician, Jack "Oblivian" Yarber has spread
his hard-driving punk rock anthems around the world with disaffected charm.
When he's home, the city's musicians come together for his shows -- both as fans
and as students.
|
