Episode 22: Allan Moyle (Pump Up The Volume)

CROSS-POSTED as a bonus episode for Director's Club

Well everyone, after a couple of months of waiting in anticipation, I was able to get a hold of Allan Moyle. "Who?!" you might ask.  Well, he's responsible for films such as TIMES SQUARE, EMPIRE RECORDS, NEW WATERFORD GIRL, and many more. But the film that has a special place in my heart, as listeners should know, is his 1990 teenage rebellion masterpiece PUMP UP THE VOLUME.  At the time of viewing this movie, I wasn't the biggest fan of Christian Slater, my music taste was limited, and I was going through my first experience of severe depression.  Then my favorite film critic, Nick Digilio of WGN Radio, reviewed PUMP in the summer of 1990. I went to see it, and my life was forever changed. It didn't cure me of depression, but it helped and gave me a renewed sense of hope.  A faith that cinema and art could also become a therapeutic, enlightening experience. I felt a connection to the character and to the material for the first time in my life to where I saw myself on-screen and knew I wanted to discover more music and movies to feel that kind of awe and euphoria again.  So for all these reasons, I spend the beginning of our conversation revealing a lot of what I went through to Allan Moyle.  He was taken aback, and the "interview" became more of a friendly conversation about my experiences, his current state of mind, what it was like making PUMP, and a whole lot more. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there's another conversation on the horizon since we barely scratched the surface behind Allan's incredible career.

I decided that this interview was too special to only include it as a Pop Culture Club episode, so you'll also find this over at Director's Club as a bonus episode. Until next time, please send me an email at [email protected], and visit http://popcultureclub.net. The next interview is also a special one, and it'll be up on Friday. I talk with the great Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne, Ivy) who is recently writing songs for my favorite TV show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. We talk about his extensive career as a musician and what it's like composing music for the great Rachel Bloom and more!  Thank you all so much for the support and for listening to this truly wonderful conversation.  Please check out http://nowplayingnetwork.net for many more great shows on film and music!