Come Worry With Us!

Focusing on family more than music, filmmaker Helene Klodawsky's documentary centers on Montreal quintet Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, which combines strings with traditional rock instrumentation and politically-oriented lyrics. Like singer-guitarist Efrim Menuck's previous post-punk outfit—Godspeed You! Black Emperor—the group emerged out of the city's underground with an aim of building a following, rather than trying to secure a major record deal (Thierry Amar and Sophie Trudeau also belong to both bands). When Menuck and violinist Jessica Moss have a baby, they take their new son Ezra along on tour, thinking it will be easy, but this winds up proving to be incredibly difficult. The couple constantly worry about finances, especially with new costs to cover, including a tour bus and a nanny. In addition, Menuck notes that record sales have declined as more fans download music for free, but he refuses to raise ticket prices, because he knows the fans face similar financial challenges. Since the band is a collective, everyone shares evenly in profits and expenses, and none of them complain about the higher overhead, possibly because they know the band would do the same for them. When Menuck revives Godspeed You! Black Emperor and heads off on another tour, he brings more money into the household, but loses time with his wife and child. Although Jessica says she feels like a housewife, the respite allows her to return to creating visual art. Jessica also speaks to other female musicians, including Matana Roberts and Julie Doiron, about balancing personal life with a music career, but finds that there are no easy answers. An interesting behind-the-scenes look at the uneasy intersection of music, family, and money, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)