Posted on: January 19, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Exclusive Elliot Smith Photos By Acclaimed Photographer Autumn De Wilde


Debut Films: WHAT WE DO IS SECRET, Starring Shane West and Bijou Phillips & Jamie Kennedy’s Comic Documentary HECKLER


New Bands: The Walkmen, The Dodos, Helio Sequence, MSTRKRFT & Stellastarr*
February 26 – March 2, 2008 San Francisco, CA

The Noise Pop Festival takes over San Francisco February 26 to March 2. Over six nights, Noise Pop 16 will come to life, transforming the city into an almost week-long celebration of the finest independent music, art and film that the underground and not-so-underground has to offer. More…

New performers confirmed to perform include THE WALKMEN, HELIO SEQUENCE, MSTRKRFT, THE DODOS. MSTRKRFT & Stellastarr* (MORE)

These artists join Magnetic Fields, The Mountain Goats, The Gutter Twins, Cursive, Blitzen Trapper, Fu Manchu, Kelly Stoltz, Saviours and dozens of other bands as part of a roster topping out with more than 100 performing over the festival’s six days. Because it’s Noise Pop, nationally known artists will share stages with the best San Francisco independent music talent.

Incredible visual art has always been an important part of Noise Pop and this year’s festival will continue to explore the intersection of Art and Music. Noise Pop is pleased to present a showcase of Autumn de Wilde’s startling and rare images of Elliott Smith, revealing an intimate and unseen side of his personality. Elliott Smith’s intensely personal music has left a deep mark on a generation of fans and musicians. de Wilde worked closely with Smith as a friend and photographer for several years before the singer’s untimely death. This special art show will be at Queen’s Nail Annex with an opening reception on Thursday, February 28.

The Noise Pop Film Festival returns with a vengeance for it’s ninth outing as part of this year’s Noise Pop. Noise Pop is pleased to announce that Jamie Kennedy’s comedic documentary HECKLER will open the film festival, exploring the increasingly critical world we live in with George Lucas, Bill Maher, David Cross, Rob Zombie and many more. Jamie Kennedy will also participate in an exclusive Q & A after the film.

Noise Pop is also pleased to host the San Francisco premiere of WHAT WE DO IS SECRET, starring Shane West and Bijou Phillips is a biopic that chronicles the tumultuous life of iconoclastic singer/songwriter Darby Crash and his band, The Germs, the seminal and pioneering force in the Los Angeles punk rock scene from 1977 to 1980, written and directed by Rodger Grossman.

WESLEY WILLIS’S JOY RIDES a beautifully crafted portrait of the self-proclaimed rock ‘n’ roll star and “Chicago City Artist”, Wesley Willis will also be screened as part of this year’s film festival. Despite impossible odds, Chicago native, Wesley Willis became an underground rock icon, revered artist and hero to many before his untimely death in 2003. This film follows the prolific artist on his journey from obscurity to fame.

More music and indie culture features and short films will be announced in the coming weeks.

Noise Pop and Blasthaus are also proud to present Electropop. This dynamic new chapter in the festival focuses on musicians and artists using electronic mediums. Electropop will run Friday, February 29th and Saturday March 1st, 2008, and feature two exhilarating nights of music and new media art manifested at Mighty.

Headlining Friday night at Electropop will be D.C. electro-rap phenomenon WALE (pronounced wah-ley), who blends hip hop with classic D.C. go-go music stylings. Saturday night will feature electro/rock hybrid MSTRKRFT. The duo of JFK and ALP have been breaking down the musical boundaries between punk, electro, disco, and more since their work with rock project, Death From Above 1979. And along with the musical portion of the festival, the two-night showcase will include interactive art installations by Bay Area new media artists along with blasthaus’ low-tech gaming initiative BOLT (Bureau of Low Technology).

Individual tickets and Festival badges for the 2008 Noise Pop Festival are still available. Noise Pop Festival badges are offered exclusively from Noise Pop’s website, www.noisepop.com. Noise Pop Festival badges grant access to all general admission Noise Pop shows, film screenings, happy hours and other happenings during the festival.

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