November 10, 2009

Rogue Wave’s “D Tour” documentary premieres tonight on PBS

The independent music documentary “D Tour” (Dialysis Tour) is about Rogue Wave drummer Pat Spurgeon’s struggle with a failing kidney, a search for a donor, while still trying to still pursue the music that is vital to his contentment. I watched it one warm evening this summer and found it both inspiring and challenging — punctuated throughout with terrific musical moments.

d tour posterIn addition to being a compelling look at the organ donation system in the US today, the pitfalls that can snare underinsured musicians, and some of the difficulties and nastiness of life, the film prominently features a lot of excellent music footage from that benefit show at SF’s Independent back in 2006 that I so wanted to go to. it speaks compellingly to the healing power of music. At that delicious show, Rogue Wave was joined on stage by friends like Ben Gibbard of Death Cab, Matthew Caws of Nada Surf, and John Vanderslice.

UPDATE: The entire movie is now streaming on PBS!



A lot of you guys donated to the fund when I bribed you wrote about it back then, so I hope you’ll take some time to watch the documentary when it debuts tonight on PBS’ Independent Lens series, or order the film on DVD for $20. The film has won accolades at several festivals, including the Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival, and the most recent Rogue Wave album Asleep At Heaven’s Gate (2007) is still on heavy rotation around these parts. I am looking forward to their new one in early Spring 2010.

Here’s the lilting song that plays over the credits, a brand new one from Rogue Wave. To download an mp3 version, please go over to their site and sign up!

Positive Hero Worship – Rogue Wave

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4 Comments

  • I thought this was a wonderful documentary. I was struck by the soulfulness of the friendships portrayed in the film, not just between the kindred musicians but with Pat’s donor family as well – a depth that seems like it would be automatic, but not necessarily so.Publish My Love is one of my all time favorite songs :) and I look forward to what is to come for Rogue Wave and for Pat.

    Jyll — November 11, 2009 @ 10:04 am

  • The People Speak by Howard Zinn airs on PBS December 13. Soundtrack with great musicians including Mr Edward Vedder of Pearl Jam. You know who he is, right?

    http://www.twofeetthick.com/2009/11/the-people-speak-to-air-on-history-channel/

    Pete — November 11, 2009 @ 11:55 am

  • I am really looking forward to seeing this tonight. Heard rumors that they have a new album coming out in march. I love rogue wave. Thank you for posting this.

    Drew — November 11, 2009 @ 6:24 pm

  • Just watched the trailer on your web page.
    I am so pleased to see this kind of informational entertainment out there. I am a Canadian musician who was 5 years on dialysis and am now 2 years and counting with my new kidney donated by someone I don’t know but who saved many lives by their choice to donate their organs.
    Thank you for making this film and in doing so bringing this issue to the mainstream.
    God Bless
    Mike

    Michael Jones — November 11, 2009 @ 10:25 pm

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Bio Pic Name: Heather Browne
Location: Colorado, originally by way of California
Giving context to the torrent since 2005.

"I love the relationship that anyone has with music: because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. It's the best part of us, probably, the richest and strangest part..."
—Nick Hornby, Songbook
"Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel."
—Hunter S. Thompson

Mp3s are for sampling purposes, kinda like when they give you the cheese cube at Costco, knowing that you'll often go home with having bought the whole 7 lb. spiced Brie log. They are left up for a limited time. If you LIKE the music, go and support these artists, buy their schwag, go to their concerts, purchase their CDs/records and tell all your friends. Rock on.

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