Published
Mon, Jan 16, 2023, 14:00
- The Sound of Bed-Stuy was produced by Stept Studios, with support from Smirnoff.
Watch the director's cut of The Sound of Bed-Stuy, a short documentary about New York sound system collective Dub-Stuy.
Produced by Stept Studios with support from Smirnoff, the nearly six-minute film looks at the way sound system culture fosters community through music and events. Dub-Stuy founder Quoc Pham features alongside performers such as JonnyGo Figure, Eddie Hill and Jahdan Blakkamoore.
"When Stept Studios contacted us about making this film, we were uncertain about our future as a music collective," Pham told Resident Advisor. "Like many of our peers, we struggled during the pandemic and were looking for a renewed sense of purpose. In a way, this project reminded us of the importance of staying rooted in our own community and using our sound system to create positive spaces for people to gather and find refuge through music and sound vibrations. This was especially important during a time when it was needed most."
Although a version of The Sound of Bed-Stuy has been online since the summer, the film was never given a proper release. The director's cut is new and more in-depth.
"The director did a great job conveying the inherent power of sound systems and the community ethos that is fundamental to sound system culture and to a larger extent DIY club culture," Pham added. "We're proud to help continue the legacy and tradition of sound systems in New York, and I hope that our story inspires other people to do the same in their own communities."
Screenings of the director's cut will take place in New York on January 21st (Tip-Top Bar & Grill), Austin on February 5th (Native Bar & Cafe) and Los Angeles on February 15th (The Semi-Tropic). Afterparties will follow each screening.
Watch The Sound of Bed-Stuy, and read more about Dub-Stuy's story.
Photo: Nathan Bajar