Better Living Through Circuitry

Better Living Through Circuitry is a 1999 documentary that explores the fascinating world of electronic music and rave culture, featuring prominent musicians and DJs such as Moby and Lord T. Byron, among others. The film is not just about the music but also the people, the places, and the passionate subculture birthed by this new sonic movement.

Renowned filmmaker Jon Reiss helms the director's chair for this 85-minute exploration, which takes viewers from the depths of underground rave parties to the upper echelons of professional electronic music production. He doesn't just explore the music but delves into the culture that surrounds it. It’s an intimate homage to dance music and the ever-evolving rave scene where love, unity, liberation and escapes are in abundance, expressing how technology has revolutionized social connection through art.

Rightly so, the film stars Moby, an electronic music legend who was instrumental in bringing the genre to mass audiences. Moby's commentary throughout the documentary gives insight into the creative process and the emotional depth that drives electronic music. Alongside him, other influential figures like Lord T. Byron and McGuinnes share their stories, transforming the film into a digital time-capsule of a defining era in electronic music.

Better Living Through Circuitry emphasizes the role of technology in shaping the electronic music landscape. It illustrates how music production, once exclusive to individuals with access to state-of-the-art studios and equipment, got democratized by advancements in computer and software technology. The documentary lays bare how artists used these new tools to create sounds and rhythms never heard before, crafting a sonic landscape that was uniquely suited to the high-energy world of raves.

This film investigates a lifestyle and environment filled with vibrant colours, sights, and sounds that pulse to the beat of electronic music. It is far from a traditional concert movie or musician's biography; instead, it delves into the focus on unity and the idea that in these vast expanses of people, music, and sensory experiences, individuals can find themselves.

Reiss also delves into the controversial elements that make electronic music and rave culture both groundbreaking and provocative. Despite concerns surrounding the use of recreational drugs and criticism of rave culture's hedonistic underpinnings, the film underscores the idea of communal experience and collective euphoria in facing societal pressures and alienation.

Indeed, interviews with fans, promoters, and music business professionals construct a comprehensive view of this culture, focused on the shared spiritual experience that techno music and raves offer to their participants. The film strips away the tabloid hysteria and objectively presents the social phenomena for viewers to comprehend the complexities of this culture.

Moreover, the movie beautifully employs elements such as fast cutting, digital video effects, and contemporary graphic design expressions to enhance the viewer's experience, offering a surreal, immersive glimpse into the world of electronic music.

Moreover, the documentary offers some of the best electronic music of its time in its soundtrack. From the pulsating techno beats to the euphoric trance anthems, the soundscape of the film embarks on a sonic journey that's guaranteed to mesmerize fans and newcomers alike.

Better Living Through Circuitry is an emotional and exciting exploration of the rave scene of the late 1990s, forged by the music that powers it and the community that embraces it. A must-watch for music fans interested in the roots of EDM (Electronic Dance Music), it resonates with the message that technology is not just wires, circuits, and code but a tool that can influence and shape human connectivity.

In summary, Better Living Through Circuitry is an expertly crafted expose, serving as a love letter to the electronic music genre, chronicling its growth from underground subculture to mainstream acceptance. It's a fusion of audio-visual stimulation, philosophy, history, and an intimate look at a cultural phenomenon that has left an indelible mark on the music industry. This thought-provoking film is an ode to the transformative power of music and an exploration of how technology spawned an entire generation of digital beat warriors.