Lose Yourself in Your Madness

“Joni Mitchell said singing, crying, and laughing all come up out of the same need, so I think that’s what art is for,” Erykah Badu muses before the emotional music cues. It’s all part of the moving trailer for Red Bull’s latest feature film, What Difference Does It Make? It’s not simply a documentary about making music, but about the visceral need artists feel to make music, the passion that consumes them, the temptations that may ruin them, and the ecstasy of getting it right. Badu isn’t the only creative genius to make an appearance. The film includes poignant interviews with James Murphy, Giorgio Moroder, Brian Eno, Niles Rogers, Richie Hawtin, and many others. Of course, as a product of the Red Bull brand, the film also features insight into the Red Bull Music Academy, a cultural offshoot of the energy drink company that mentors, educates, and promotes a variety of up-and-coming musicians by housing them in a different city each year and placing them in contact with their inspirational idols. The documentary will be released for free via redbullmusicacademy.com, but because art is communal, you can prescreen the film Monday at Blackbird Ordinary (729 SW First Ave., Miami). Doors open at 8 p.m., all ages are welcome, and admission is free. Call 305-671-3307 or visit blackbirdordinary.com.
Mon., Feb. 17, 8 p.m., 2014