By Ali Gitlow

Dr. Bob Moog with his theremin.

When director Hans Fjellestad was just 7, he came in contact with a musical instrument that would change his life: a Minimoog. This eventually sparked his interest in Wendy Carlos’s seminal Switched-On Bach album, which showcased the versatility of the Moog synthesizer. He was hooked. While documenting the electronic-music scene in Tijuana for his last film, Frontier Life (2002), Fjellestad and producer Ryan Page ended up attending a lecture given by Dr. Bob Moog. “Listening to the man himself, the raft of stories in his head, I decided to develop Moog as our next subject,” said Fjellestad.  

Dr. Moog with DJ Spooky.

Moog began manufacturing theremins in 1954 and eventually turned his attention to creating synthesizers. He is credited as the father of all things electronica, and his inventions have had a major impact on hip-hop, jazz, rock, R&B and classical music as well. He now makes instruments for Moog Music and has taught music-technology courses at a number of universities. The film examines Moog’s creations as well as his personal theories on “creativity, improvisation and invention.”

Fjellestad, himself a musician, describes Moog’s work as “experimental and improvised music, somewhere in between the free-jazz and electronica worlds.” Tracks from the likes of DJ Spooky, Stereolab, Luke Vibert, the Neptunes, Tortoise and Electric Skychurch comprise the film’s soundtrack, created with Moog instruments. A theatrical release is planned for this summer, and Plexifilm will distribute the DVD in August. For more info, check out www.zu33.com/moog/.