When filmmaker Brad Kimmel first started to work on NOVEM, he knew he was taking a big risk. After all, the entire film would be based on a yet to be produced “classic rock” soundtrack that was supposedly produced in 1973 by a group of very talented college students. The music had to be good, and it had to be developed on a tight budget.
To pull it off, Brad went to Nashville, Tennessee where he was introduced to music producer Brian Reed. Brian loved the idea for the film and accepted the daunting challenge of producing NOVEM’s music!
A few weeks later, Brad and Brian held open auditions for young rock performers at Dark Horse Recording Studio in Franklin, Tennessee. They were quickly impressed by the talent and enthusiasm of the two dozen performers that showed up. During the auditions, Brad, Brian and casting director Scott Lank became convinced that this talented bunch could not only record the soundtrack but also star in the film as the NOVEM band! The original plan was for the musicians to record the music behind the scenes and then have a group of actors play NOVEM in the film. As it turned out, having the group write and record the music and star in the film was one of the keys to NOVEM’s success. About the same time, Brian asked Brad if he too could appear in the film. Brad agreed and Brian played the pot-smoking producer/engineer in the film, Dan Cook.
A short time later, nine musicians were selected and work began right away on the soundtrack. Brad gave Brian and the group direction on the style and themes for the music and then let them work their magic! Brian gave the group two weeks to write material for the project. Then Brad and Brian selected the songs that would appear in the film.
The group then hit the studio to record. Brian wanted the recording process to be very “organic,” like it is portrayed in the film, so he rented an old hippie house in Murphysboro, Tennessee for the group to record in. He hired a young talented engineer named Jason Lefan to record the group. As work began, every room in the house was filled with vintage recording equipment with a few black lights and posters of the Doors and Hendrix adorning the walls!
For three weeks, it was an almost non-stop creative effort led by Brian. Songs were flushed out from their simple beginnings and members of the group came and went as basic tracks were laid down. The group worked hard and, at times, partied hard. As the days passed and the music began to take shape, it became apparent they were creating something special!
A few weeks later, Brian and the group headed to Dark Horse Studios to begin filming NOVEM.