Watch Nothing Stays the Same: The Story of the Saxon Pub

Nothing Stays the Same: The Story of the Saxon Pub is a 2019 documentary film directed by Jeff Sandmann, which focuses on the history and importance of the iconic Saxon Pub in Austin, Texas, USA. The Saxon Pub has been open since 1990 and continues to be a hub of musical activity and community in the city. The film features interviews with a cast of characters including the Saxon Pub's owner, Joe Ables, local musicians such as W.C. Clark and Bob Schneider, and politicians such as former Austin Mayor Steve Adler. Through their perspectives, Nothing Stays the Same tells the story of the pub's rich history, its impact on the music scene in Austin, and the challenges it faces in the wake of the city's rapid growth and redevelopment.

The documentary opens with a powerful sequence that captures the essence of the Saxon Pub - a close-up of the neon sign outside, followed by a shot of the live music inside. We hear a montage of voices describing the pub's unique atmosphere - "It feels like home," "It's the best listening room in town," "It's iconic."

From there, we delve into the history of the pub through interviews with Joe Ables and his wife, Nancy Coplin. Joe, a former touring musician, opened the Saxon Pub in 1990, with the intention of creating a space for musicians to play and for people to gather and connect. It quickly became a staple in the Austin music scene, with everyone from Willie Nelson to Stevie Ray Vaughan playing there.

The documentary then explores the importance of the Saxon Pub to the local music community, as a place for both up-and-coming and seasoned musicians to play. We hear from musicians such as W.C. Clark, Shelley King, and Bob Schneider, who share stories of the pub's role in their careers and the tight-knit community it has fostered over the years. We also see footage of some incredible performances at the pub, including a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace" by Clark.

The film then shifts to the challenges facing the Saxon Pub in the present day, as Austin's booming growth and redevelopment threaten to price out small businesses like it. We hear from Joe and Nancy about the difficulties of running a bar in an increasingly expensive city, and the many obstacles they face - from rising rents to increasing noise complaints.

The film doesn't shy away from the difficult questions about the future of the Saxon Pub - will it be able to survive in the face of changing times? Can independent music venues like it survive in an increasingly corporate landscape? The interviews with politicians like Steve Adler provide a wider context for these issues, as we hear about the challenges of balancing the needs of businesses and residents in a city that is growing so rapidly.

Overall, Nothing Stays the Same is a moving and insightful documentary that celebrates the spirit of a beloved institution while also shining a light on the challenges it faces. It's a well-crafted tribute to the power of community, music, and the importance of preserving the things that make a city unique.

Nothing Stays the Same: The Story of the Saxon Pub is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.