The Project:

Cream City Soundcheck is a series of music documentaries created by students of UW-Milwaukee in collaboration with the doc|UWM and the  Pabst Theater Group. Each video features a band exploring Milwaukee’s unique cultural landscape and performing at historic venues throughout the city. Designed as a way for film students to learn professional documentary skills through creative and practical application, the production of Cream City Sound Check is something I oversee; acting as producer, project director, and instructor. It is my job to not only teach the students how to make a documentary, but to also nurture their creative desires while keeping the projects on time and ensuring the overall quality and consistency of the series.

Y.A.C.H.T.

Cream City Soundcheck take Y.A.C.H.T. for a leisurely boat ride along the Lake Michigan coast. Along the way Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans talk about their band, business, and belief. Docking at Barnacle Buds the duo snap a few photos before stopping over at Sky High Skateboard Shop and Gallery making friend with featured artist Monica Canilao. Y.A.C.H.T. ends the night with an impassioned live performance at Turner Hall.

Generationals

The New Orleans band Generationals rolls into Milwaukee, and Cream City Soundcheck takes the band on a whirlwind tour of the town before documenting the band’s performance at Turner Hall. Cheese, bowling, and beer, it’s what you’d expect from Milwaukee, but it’s also so much more.

Maritime

The guys in Maritime aren’t exactly living the typical rockstar life. They all have day-jobs and families and they don’t spend as much time touring as they did when they were younger. But, when they do get on stage, they are just as youthful and emotional as ever. They are also deeply rooted to their home base of Milwaukee which affords them the ability to get together every Sunday night in their studio space. That is, when they aren’t out in sub-zero temperatures getting Milwaukee’s favorite dessert, frozen custard.

Kings Go Forth

Kings Go Forth bring their 70′s soul sound to Turner Hall. Off stage, Andy Noble (bass guitar) discusses DJing and record collecting and looking for just the right songs for getting down at Mad Planet and Cecilio Negron, Jr. (percussion) leads a drumming class at the Walker’s Point Center for the Arts.

Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound

Paul Cebar is a legend of the Milwaukee music scene. The warm sounds of his band are can getting people moving on the dance floor, even on a cold Milwaukee night . On his radio show for WMSE Paul has been introducing Milwaukeeans to funky, soulful world music – often pulled from his own collection. Cream City Soundcheck take Paul and his drummer, Reggie Bordeaux, to lunch at The Plaza and discuss their musical inspirations.

Trapper Schoepp & the Shades

Trapper Schoepp sits down to talk about his music and play a few songs with his band and some close friends. Out on the town, he gets lost in Downtown books while he and his brother discuss the charms of living in a little big city like Milwaukee.

Mortgage Freeman

Cream City Soundcheck catches up with Mortgage Freeman over a traditional Friday night fish fry at Tanner Paul’s V.F.W. as the band prepares for their next big performance at the Y NOT III.

I’m Not A Pilot

In 2010 and 2011 I’m Not A Pilot was voted as Milwaukee’s best rock band. Comprised of bass, drums, keyboard, and cello, I’m Not A Pilot perform an intricate and energetic brand of Rock’n'Roll mixed with Chamber Pop.  Cream City Soundcheck catches the band performing at Linneman’s. Offstage the band enjoys Mai Tai’s at Foundation Tiki Bar as the group discuss Milwaukee’s diverse and welcoming music scene.

Holy Shit!

The Milwaukee hardcore band Holy Shit! will play just about anywhere. When they aren’t touring Japan, tearing up a basement show, or playing a Milwaukee venue like Club Garibaldi or the Riverwest Public House, Holy Shit! can be found playing video games or getting surprise visits from the FBI.