Watch Goodnight Brooklyn - The Story of Death By Audio

Goodnight Brooklyn: The Story of Death By Audio is a documentary film that tells the story of a music venue in Brooklyn and its rise to cult status among the underground music scene. The film is directed by Matthew Conboy and features interviews with the venue's founder and other musicians who performed there. The film begins with the birth of Death By Audio in 2005, founded by Oliver Ackermann and Edan Wilber in a former factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The venue was initially a space for Ackermann's noise rock band, A Place to Bury Strangers, to practice and play live shows. Death By Audio quickly became a community of artists and musicians who were drawn to the venue's DIY ethos and its reputation as a haven for experimental music.

The film details the ways in which Death By Audio transformed from a small-scale operation into a celebrated institution within the greater music scene. Interviewees discuss the venue's unique setup, which included a "wall of amps" that severely shook the building during shows, as well as the small-town feel of the audience and bands who frequented the space. Bands who played at Death By Audio included now-well-known acts like Deerhoof, Lightning Bolt, and of course, A Place to Bury Strangers. The film features footage of live shows that convey the venue's particular atmosphere and energy.

However, the primary narrative of the documentary is the venue's final days. In 2014, it was announced that Death By Audio would be closing due to the landlord's decision to sell the building. The film follows the final months of the venue's existence, as the founders and staff scramble to organize farewell shows and deal with the bittersweet experience of saying goodbye to a beloved institution.

Throughout the film, key players in the Death By Audio story give interviews that offer insight into what made the venue so special. In addition to Ackermann, the film features interviews with Wilber, venue manager Edan Laniado, and music journalist Michael Azerrad, among others. The filmmakers also incorporate footage from both live shows and behind-the-scenes moments, which combine to create a picture of a tight-knit community that was passionate about their work.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its exploration of the changing face of Brooklyn. As Ackermann notes early on in the film, "We moved to Brooklyn because there was nothing here". Death By Audio came of age during a time when the neighborhood was transforming from a rundown, industrial area to a hipster haven. The film details how this transformation affected the venue, as well as the larger music scene in Brooklyn.

While clearly a celebration of a beloved music venue and the people who made it happen, Goodnight Brooklyn is also a sobering look at the ways in which artistic communities are threatened by external forces. The decision to close the venue was not just a personal loss for those involved, but a reflection of larger economic and social changes happening in Brooklyn (and many other cities across the world). The film doesn't shy away from these bigger issues, but rather incorporates them into the story of Death By Audio.

Overall, Goodnight Brooklyn: The Story of Death By Audio is an engaging and heartfelt tribute to a music venue that was a vital part of its community. Whether you're a diehard music fan or simply interested in the creative process, this film offers insight into a unique and passionate group of people who believed in making art on their own terms.

Goodnight Brooklyn - The Story of Death By Audio is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.