"The right music is a critical element to any film -- each song lays the foundation for the emotion of the scene, said Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, the Wisconsin native director of last year's controversial independent film, "Side Effects."
For her debut film -- a jarringly honest look into the deception of the drug industry, which she wrote based in her 10-year experience as a drug rep for a major pharmaceutical company -- Slattery-Moschkau tapped into a bit of local talent to build her soundtrack. After listening to hundreds of bands, Slattery-Moschkau discovered what would be a perfect collaboration of indie tunes.
"For me, one of the most exciting and fun aspects of the indie filmmaking process was discovering new bands and creating a great collection of songs."
Hailed as the best soundtrack since 2004's "Garden State" by Kate Lohnes of "The Monitor," the 14-song "Side Effects" compilation features an eclectic melting pot of Milwaukee bands mixed with other artists from Wisconsin and across the country.
As for the Brew City tunes, "Still Me" by Feet Of Clay is a soft, spacey track that feels light and beautiful, and is followed by the funky rhythm guitars, horns and wailing soul vocals of Nafro. The hard-hitting grunge trio On A Sun contributes "Forgive" off its "Watershed" album and pop rock quartet Heathrow open the album with the very catchy "Walk Those Shoes," with tracks "Volcanic" and "Bluegill" rounding out the second half of the soundtrack.
Madison's The Treats contribute three songs, as does singer/songwriter Tiffany Hafermann, who hails from Mazomanie.
The soundtrack is available at Exclusive Company.
"Side Effects" opened in theaters in New Berlin and Madison on Dec. 9, 2005 and is being released on DVD May 16. After filming the movie in and around Madison, Slattery-Moschkau and producer Holly Mosher -- a Milwaukee native -- went on to make "Money Talks: Profits Before Patient Safety," a hard-hitting documentary that leaves Hollywood behind and explores the issues through interviews with key opinion leaders. The documentary will become available online on May 16.
Read last year's interview with Slattery-Moschkau and Mosher here.
The DVD can be purchased at retail stores across the country as well as via the film's Web site at sideeffectsthemovie.com.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
