It might come as news to those who know me, but when I was at school, I was half of a ‘boy band’, rather presumptuously called What Every Woman Wants, the name of a local department store. We recorded two albums over a long summer holiday on old C90 cassettes, using guitars we could barely play a handful of chords on, with Smash-tins for drums and synths for accompaniment. This kind of precocious creative experiment isn’t unusual; film-maker Matt Hulse went through a similar-sounding experience with his band The Hippies, and his Sound for the Future documentary, screening at the 2020 BFI London Film Festival, sees him revisit his brief, shining moment of pop majesty.
Sound for the Future is a whimsical, nostalgic piece; Hulse has been a fixture of the Scottish film scene for some time, and he artfully creates a collage on material on his musical theme. There’s footage of the original Hippies in their pomp, interviews with such key figures as Ruth Pendragon, his mother, manager and arguably the band’s biggest fan, and his sister Polly, although brother Toby, in true rock n/roll break-up fashion, declines to participate. Meanwhile, Hulse works with young Scottish kids to create a new version of the Hippies, potentially a tribute band, or perhaps a full line-up change a la Menudo, refreshing their musical style with new personnel. And Hulse tracks down a few bands whose music fits the DIY vibe, from Gang of Four to Sleaford Mods.
This kind of self-regarding premise could potentially prove grating, since we’re taking a deep dive into the story of a band that only Hulse’s family know much about. But there is providence in the fall of a sparrow, and Hulse smartly leans into any accusations of preciousness, smartly imbuing his film with the same raw determination which brought the Hippies to life in the first place. What emerges is a family portrait disguised as a mockumentary, a spoof approach that drains away pretention or notions of self-indulgence. Instead, we have a slight but honest account of the bitter-sweet growing up process, sound-tracked to gritty lo-fi sounds and the echo of children’s laughter.
Sound for the Future is a small but perfectly formed film that has appeal to music fans of a specific genre, but also forges a wider, more accessible path that should work for anyone who harboured a childhood dream. Much as the Wyld Stallyns embody the dreams of Bill and Ted moving forward from their teens, Hulse’s film captures both teenage enthusiasm and the reflection of adulthood. It may not be the future of rock and roll, but it does make something relevant of the past, and for The Hippies, their small mark on music history is immortalised here forever.
Thanks to Aconite Productions and Pinball Films for access to this title.
Well…I can top that: I once was (almost) part of a death metal band as the lead grunter!😂😂 And no that isn’t a joke. Sadly the project died before it even started, but imagine me the ironing addict as a lead singer for a death metal band. Things can’t get more surreal than that right?😂😂
Gotta love the band name though that you were a part of! As for this film, doesn’t sound too bad at all. I don’t think I will have access to this one in the very near future, so that’s probably going to be a while before I see this one. Great post as always!😀
Will you be posting any of your death metal music? I for one would be keen to hear it…
Presumably where the ironing began
The secret ironing forum beckons…
🤔🤔🤔 Well…as I said, the band didn’t get started, so I have little to publish lol.
I could….do a music post though about bands that I liked🤔🤔😅😅
I’d be keen to read about it, even if evidence of your pop majesty is lost in the mist of time…
Hmmm🤔🤔 I’ll see what I can do…it will be a one time only post that I’ll call: “Raist’s musical choices……🤔🤔🤔” 😂😂
I’m here for that!
At least you aimed high with your name. I’m sure Psychic Grandma was very proud of you.
I never had any musical aspirations. I think I had to learn the recorder in 3rd grade and by the end of it I was pretty much just not doing anything.
I’ll leave the music industry to such giants as Wild Stallyons and their ilk. Let them save the universe. I’d rather read a book…
You can read a book, AND love music, although like you, I had to mime along with the recorder group because it got tricky. I remember how fondly Psychic Grandma would watch as we played…happy days!
All I ever needed to know about music I learned from recorder class. I mean, some notes go up and some go down. What else does one need to know about music?
You ARE the Zen master of music! Psychic Grandma would be proud!
She’d better be! I’ve got Ghostbusters on speeddial and I’m not afraid to push that button…
Waiting for you to upload some WEWW . . .
I fear potential breaking of the internet…
My kind of thing. Is it on Amazon?
Not as yet, London Film Festival first; I’ll update with a streaming link when it surfaces….
Thanks so much and a great read. Just had a look at your actual site and it looks great.
Thanks! Positive feedback always a good start to the day!
That sounds intriguing, though couldn’t make much sense of the trailer.
Also..’What every woman wants’??? 😀 😀 😀 Bless.
Never was a band less aptly described…
It’s my chosen role in life to decode and explain…
Good job.
Investigated and enjoyed! The post of a true Ironing Master! Now, let off some steam!