Watch Sound City

Sound City is a 2013 documentary film that explores the history and legacy of one of the most famous recording studios in the world - Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California. Directed by Dave Grohl, the film features interviews with a wide range of musicians who recorded at Sound City over the years, including Tom Petty, Mick Fleetwood, Neil Young, and Trent Reznor.

The film begins by setting the stage for the story of Sound City, including the studio's humble beginnings as a small, low-budget recording facility in the mid-1960s. It didn't take long for word to spread about the high-quality sound that could be achieved at Sound City, however, and before long the studio was attracting some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Over the years, Sound City became renowned for its unique sound, which was largely due to the custom mixing console that was built by Rupert Neve specifically for the studio. This console, which proved to be a pivotal piece of equipment for many of the artists who recorded at Sound City, is featured prominently throughout the film, with interviews from both the musicians and the engineers who used it.

The heart of the film, though, is the stories that the various musicians tell about their experiences recording at Sound City. Tom Petty, for example, recalls recording his breakthrough album "Damn the Torpedoes" at the studio, and how the space and the equipment allowed him and his bandmates to achieve the sound they were after. Other artists, like Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood, discuss the challenges they faced working at Sound City, including technical issues with the equipment and the limitations of the space.

One of the most fascinating parts of the film is the way in which it shows how the rise of digital recording technology in the 1980s threatened to make Sound City's analog equipment and recording techniques obsolete. As more and more studios began using computers and digital equipment to create music, Sound City struggled to keep up, and eventually closed its doors in 2011.

Despite its ultimate demise, however, Sound City's legacy lives on in the many albums that were recorded there over the years. The film includes performances of some of the most iconic songs recorded at the studio, like Nirvana's "Nevermind" and Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours," as well as interviews with the artists who made those records possible.

Overall, Sound City is a must-see film for anyone interested in the history of modern music. With its mix of interviews, performances, and archival footage, it provides a comprehensive and engaging look at the role that one recording studio played in shaping the sound of generations of artists. Whether you're a fan of rock, pop, or alternative music, there's something in this film that will resonate with you, and leave you with a renewed appreciation for the art of recording.