The 78 Project is on a journey across America to make one-of-a-kind 78rpm records with musicians in their hometowns using a 1930s Presto direct-to-disc recorder. With one microphone. With one blank disc. In one 3-minute take. Along the way, a kaleidoscope of technologists, historians and craftsmen from every facet of field recording – Grammy-winning producers, 78 collectors, curators from the Library of Congress and Smithsonian – provide insights and history. In Tennessee, Mississippi, California, Louisiana, the folk singers, punk rockers, Gospel and Cajun singers in the film share their lives through intimate performances, and find in that adventure a new connection to our cultural legacy.
With musical performances by: Reverend John Wilkins (Como, MS), Louis Michot, Corey Ledet & Ashlee Michot (Arnaudville, LA), Victoria Williams (Los Angeles, CA), John Doe (Fairfax, CA), Dawn Landes (Brooklyn, NY), Holly Williams w/ Chris Coleman (Nashville, TN), John Reilly & Tom Brosseau (Pasadena, CA), Gaby Moreno & Adam Levy (Los Angeles, CA), Jaron Lanier (Berkeley, CA), Ella Mae Bowen (Franklin, TN), Dylan LeBlanc (Franklin, TN), Coati Mundi (Murrieta, CA), The Bo-Keys w/ Percy Wiggins (Memphis, TN), John Paul Keith (Memphis, TN), Ben Vaughn (Wonder Valley, CA), Sea of Bees (Sacramento, CA), The Easy Leaves (Santa Rosa, CA) and Little Wings (Topanga Canyon, CA) And featuring: Todd Harvey (Library of Congress, Washington, DC), Jeff Place (Smithsonian, Washington, DC), Richard Matthews (Leeds Radio, Brooklyn, NY), Wayne Cory (Apollo Masters, Banning, CA), Joe Bussard (Frederick, MD), Bob Saliba (Randolph, NJ), Alan Graves (Port Tobacco, MD) and Matt Barton & Brad McCoy (Library of Congress, Culpeper, VA)
Director, Editor, Camera: Alex Steyermark
Producers: Lavinia Jones Wright & Alex Steyermark
Presto Recordist: Lavinia Jones Wright
Original Soundtrack Album available on Vinyl+Digital
“The 78 Project grabs American music by the roots.”
- USA Today
“A one-of-a-kind documentary that is part road movie, part concert film, and part journey through the past.”
- The Commercial Appeal Memphis
“For fans of pure recording and its history, it’s compelling and informative.”
- Billboard SXSW: The Fest’s Top Films
“Rises above simple vintage worship and does more than just glorify the past – it helps us experience it.”
- The Village Voice
“The ineffable romance of old recordings makes for magic…ripe with wonder.”
- The Austin Chronicle
