Illawarra filmmaker James O’Connor is celebrating a creative project that has been a decade in the making – a documentary series charting the rise of Bird’s Robe from artists’ collective to record label and management company.
“I have been working with the Bird's Robe, the music label, for over 10 years, shooting photos and video at their shows,” James told the Illawarra Flame.
“During this time I have also produced a number of independent documentaries, developing skills in all areas of documentary production. So when I was asked to produce a documentary about the label it was a dream opportunity for me!”
James – who is known locally for running James Patrick Photography, his volunteer work on the Yes campaign and for making the short film Coal Creek – has taken on multiple challenges in his latest project, filling the roles of co-producer, director of photography, editor and even interviewer.
“It has been intense but hugely rewarding,” he says.
“The filming process took 2+ years (it's still ongoing) and I have been editing nearly full-time for eight months. The editing has been long and sometimes mentally taxing as I work by myself from home. But it is super rewarding when an episode is released and we get such glowing feedback from fans and artists.”
Bird's Robe: This is Family celebrates the label having promoted more than 1500 shows and released over 200 records, including five ARIA-nominated albums. The online series is being released on YouTube, with regular episodes dropping into the @birdsrobe channel.
“It tells the story of the label and all the bands involved in the Australian post-rock, progressive rock and experimental space,” James says.
“We filmed interviews, concerts and festivals across Australia, Europe and Asia. I think it would appeal to all music lovers, especially those of alternative music.”
According to the official trailer out in July: “If you love post-rock, prog or otherwise experimental rock, chances are that you're a fan of a Bird's Robe band. Whether it's the crushing, emotional crescendos of sleepmakeswaves, We Lost The Sea & Meniscus, the fiery, catchy prog rock of Toehider & Closure in Moscow, or the quirky inexplicable energy of The Crooked Fiddle Band & Troldhaugen, this wide array of genres and styles have one thing in common: they are family.”
Four episodes are out: The Beginning, Spreading Our Wings, Mikefest and Meniscus, the tale of one of the label's best-loved bands who’ll be performing in a 15th anniversary show in December.
The project will provide a creative outlet for the rest of the year. “Next up is back to editing the next episode!" James says.
"We will be releasing a new episode every fortnight until December and then go on tour around Australia celebrating 15 years of Bird's Robe.”
Watch on YouTube here, visit the Bird's Robe website and follow James on Instagram.