MTV & “Humpday” Director Lynn Shelton Take Craig Brewer’s “$5 Cover” Music Series to Seattle

The city of Seattle has heralded in some of the biggest music acts of the last few decades, from the iconic grunge era acts of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden to the more recent indie-rockers Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse. After teaming up to offer a glimpse into the current music of historic Memphis, Tennessee, Hustle & Flow director Craig Brewer and MTV New Media have taken “$5 Cover” to the Pacific Northwest, where the award-winning director of Humpday and resident Seattleite Lynn Shelton takes the reins for a new series, “$5 Cover: Seattle.” Shelton brings her intimate, comic style to a community of up-and-coming and undiscovered bands - including Thee Emergency, The Lights, Champagne Champagne, The Maldives, The Moondoggies, Whiskey Tango, Tea Cozies and more.

“$5 Cover: Seattle,” which will be shot through the month of August in the city’s clubs, bars, crash pads, and streets, will let music fans get a taste of the Seattle’s musical diversity. From alt-country to hip-hop, woodsy psychedelia to guitar-infused pop, viewers will be treated to a real-life experience of some of Seattle’s biggest up-and-coming bands. Shelton brings her experience with three feature films, a dozen music videos, documentary, and short film to the series, along with a personal interest in sharing an intimate look at her city’s music scene.

“’$5 Cover’ was created by Craig Brewer to allow other great filmmakers to bring their own vision to the music scenes of cities around the world. We had a few cities in mind to explore, but after seeing Humpday at Sundance, I knew Lynn Shelton needed to be the next “$5 Cover” director,” said David Gale, Executive Vice President, MTV New Media. “She had made a brilliant film with a unique style and sense of humor, has been passionate about music for her entire career and lived in one of the greatest music cities (past and present) in the country. It was kind of dream come true to have her sign on despite the fact that big time Hollywood was knocking down her door.”

“MTV and [Executive Producer] David Gale have turned over the reins to me as an artist to portray the Seattle music scene as I want, which is to say, as it is, as I see it, said Lynn Shelton, “$5 Cover: Seattle,” director. “I’ve also chosen bands that are great to hang out with, and, as you’ll see, they’re really funny, so that’ll be in the show as well. Also, we’ve been on set ten days and the music and performances are amazing!”

“I’m psyched that Seattle is the next city on the list - it absolutely breathes music and art and of course is home to my amazing fellow filmmaker Lynn Shelton,” said Craig Brewer, ‘$5 Cover’ series creator. “What I love about the whole $5 Cover project is that we’re able to tap into some of the best local talent around the country and introduce them to the world. On a personal level, it’s been a really rewarding experience to see the $5 Cover project grow and I can’t wait to see what musical gems the next city will hold.”

“$5 Cover: Seattle” will debut online at http://www.fivedollarcover.com, and will offer viewers individual short-form episodes, music videos, downloads, behind-the-scenes images and video, and more.

“$5 Cover” was originally created by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan). Lynn Shelton, Craig Brewer, and David Gale, (EVP, MTV New Media) will Executive Produce. Steven Schardt and Jane Charles will serve as producers of the Seattle series. Jen Ringel will serve as producer for MTV, with Rich Monahan as co-producer.

The format of the “$5 Cover” series allows for the experience to be developed in other cities around the country and the globe, exploring music and culture from the point of view of filmmakers who are as knowledgeable and passionate about their local scenes as Craig is about Memphis or Lynn is about Seattle.

Seattle Times: Trailer for local director Lynn Shelton’s MTV drama centered around Seattle music, “$5 Cover”

Seattle Post Intelligencer: The trailer’s out for a rockin’ Seattle MTV Web series

Download Champagne, Whiskey, Tea and Spit: A Guide to the Bands in $5 Cover Universe

Focusing on an eclectic group of musicians, $5 Cover centers on 13 bands in the second season. The disparate group of musicians includes the electro-rapping duo Thee Satisfaction, the punk band Whiskey Tango, discordant indie rock trio The Lights, the boogie rock and woodsy psychedelia of The Moondoggies, ambient experimental instrumental combo Corespondents, the outré electronic hip-hop group Champagne, Champagne, singer-songwriter Sean Nelson, formerly of the Seattlegroups Harvey Danger and the Long Winters, duo the frantic pop of the Tea Cozies and many, many more.  The Lights is a discordant indie rock trio, and GOD?  Talk about an understated name.  Seattle might have been known for grunge in the ‘90s, but the scene has exploded with several different musical flavors, all of which are covered in the Seattle edition.