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FROM THE 2000 LONDON FILM FESTIVAL CATALOG:

"Songs for Cassavetes is that all too rare thing: a documentary feature in which form and content are perfectly attuned. The film takes a look at the world of American underground music from the perspective of the people who make it happen. With a brief backwards glance at the impact of punk on underground rock, Songs documents the bands making music in the wake of the alternative media explosion of the nineties. Shot in 16mm black and white, the film's own indie artistry brings an energy and immediacy to a nicely judged mix of interviews and performances. It helps that the interviewees are largely articulate, or witty ("it's easy to tour: all you gotta do is get in a car and drive around...") or both; and that the filmmakers are no slouches at spotting the interesting angle style and substance wise. Featured bands include The Make-Up, Unwound, The Peeches, Henry's Dress, Further, Tullycraft, Some Velvet Sidewalk, Dub Narcotic Sound System, the Hi-Fives and (not-so-underground-now) Sleater-Kinney. All in all a little gem, small but perfectly formed."

-Sandra Hebron