Back in 2007, when Rhythm Lab Radio aired on both the Twin Cities’ The Current and 88Nine RadioMilwaukee, I came cross a new band by the name of Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. On May 19 2007, the first song of the band’s I played was their tune "War", which was eventually featured in the film The Hunger Games. Ever since then, I have been a serious fan of Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. I first heard the band's unique story in a New York Times article in 2006. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is group of brothers originally from Chicago whose father is the legendary jazz artist Kelan Philip Cohran.
A couple of years ago I heard a documentary was going to be made about Hypnotic Brass Ensemble called Brothers Hypnotic. I reached out to the director, Reuben Atlas, to get some information about release date. It wasn't until this past year's SXSW Film Festival that the film premiered. I was lucky enough to attend the premiere screening and talk to the first-time director. You can listen to the 2-part interview where I talk with director Reubuen Atlas about the film, the band, and the creative process.
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble will be performing the opening night party of the Milwaukee Film Festival tonight at Discovery World. The film, Brothers Hypnotic, will screen during the film festival. The first screening is on Friday, September 27, at the Oriental Theater at 7:30pm.
