Keegan Smith and The Fam Writing Soundtrack for Documentary Film That Could Spark Green-Economy
Submitted by: Ecotrain Media Group, LLC
2011-05-09 00:04:09
Portland, OR (OPENPRESS) May 9, 2011 -- Keegan Smith is well-known locally for his band's funky vibe. Those who closely follow Keegan Smith and The Fam also know about Smith's commitment to family, friends, community and sustainable living. That's why it's no surprise that he recently jumped at the opportunity to provide the soundtrack for a documentary film about a small Washington town on the verge of something big.
"When I first heard about the project, I connected to it immediately because the message is so positive," says Smith, who has committed to write music specifically for the film Green Light: The Sustainable Oroville Project. "Too many socially conscious films deliver a message about what's wrong with the world and where we're headed if we don't take action. This film is all about the taking-action part, which is why we want our music associated with it."
The subject of the film is tiny Oroville, WA, tucked between the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains and the Canada border. Currently in production, the movie will show how this agriculturally driven town of 1,750 residents took steps to reboot its faltering economy by making sustainability its mantra through Sustainable Oroville - a civic initiative that already has attracted a canola crushing plant (which will produce canola oil and meal), as well as plans for the nation's first sustainable, passive haus hotel.
Smith is well aware that the success of a film like this could create an opportunity for The Fam's music to reach a global audience. It's what he likes to call their Jack Johnson moment. "Jack Johnson had a regional audience until he contributed songs to a surfing documentary; the rest is history," says Smith. "We're in a similar position right now, and we believe this film is an opportunity to expose our songs and our beliefs to a global audience. It's a perfect fit."
If the film captures an audience, Oroville's journey into sustainability could create a road map for other agriculture communities to follow. Capturing this transformation in a documentary film creates a proof-of-concept that can be distributed worldwide, which further motivated Smith to get involved with the project.
"Many of my beliefs are based on sustainable living," says Smith. "Having an opportunity to create music for a project that delivers a message of change through action - to help the Earth - is a dream come true." As part of their involvement with the film, Keegan Smith and The Fam will perform at the inaugural Sustainable Oroville Festival on September 4, 2011, to help the celebrate the town's success and create further awareness for the film.
"If the film is a success, it will be because our fans helped make it happen," says Smith. "By donating to the film's crowd-funding effort, you'll be helping us, Oroville and the planet. Plus, everyone who contributes gets a free download of one of our unreleased songs!"
The film recently launched a crowd-funding website at indiegogo.com. To learn more, help fund the project and get a free download of a new Keegan Smith and The Fam song, visit www.greenlightmovie.com.
Media contact:
Kevin Pile, 360-420-4594, kevin.pile@ecotrainmediagroup.com
Kelsey Smith, Manager - Keegan Smith and the Fam; 503-793-1515, kelsey@Keegansmith.com
