Private Project

Steve Roach: Life in the Soundcurrent

A man overwhelmed by the cacophony of everyday life turns to the desert to find peace, which inspires him to create music from what he refers to as the “soundcurrent.” Three hundred albums later (along with two Grammy nominations), he reflects on his life, loss, and process in what it means to sculpt sound from desert spaces.

"In summary, 'Steve Roach: Life in the Soundcurrent' is much more than a documentary. It is a sensory experience, a visual journey into the life, legacy, and music of a remarkable artist, and a gentle reminder of the profound impact environment can have on creativity. The film is certainly worth the watch, whether you're an ardent fan of Roach’s music, a lover of excellent documentaries, or a seeker of inspiration." -Filmnet.io review.

  • Kurt Lancaster
    Director
  • Kurt Lancaster
    Producer
  • Kurt Lancaster
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    44 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 19, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Anatolian Film Awards

    Turkey
    August 1, 2023
    International premiere
    Feature - Best Documentary
  • Symbiotic Film Festival
    Kyiv
    Ukraine
    August 9, 2023
    International
  • Global Film and Music Awards USA
    Fairfax, VA
    United States
    September 15, 2023
    North American Premiere
  • Crown Point International Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    September 2, 2023
    Official Selection
  • South Cinematographic Academy Film & Arts
    Rancagua
    Chile
    August 16, 2023
    South American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Silent City Film Festival
    Ithica, New York
    United States
    October 5, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Mindfield Film Festival July/August 2023
    Albuquerque
    United States
    Best Documentary Short (Diamond Award)
  • The South Film and Arts Academy Festival 2023

    United States
    Best Documentary Feature (mid-length)
  • Mesa International Film Festival
    Mesa
    United States
    October 19, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Lane Doc Fest 2023
    Jackson, TN
    United States
    September 30, 2023
    Official Selection, Doc Feature - Humanity
  • Indigo Moon Film Fest 2023
    Fayetteville, NC
    United States
    October 13, 2023
    Official Selection
  • New York Cinematography Awards
    New York
    United States
    Winner Best Documentary July 2023
  • International Film Arts and Hearts Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 28, 2023
    Honorable Mention
  • European Cinematography Awards
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    Best Sound Design
  • Athens International Monthly Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    Honorable Mention August 2023
  • WSXA Amsterdam International Awards
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    Winner Envision Award
  • Cannes Continental Film Festival
    Cannes
    France
    Official Selection
  • Canadian Cinematography Awards
    Toronto
    Canada
    Finalist
  • Iconic Images Film Festival

    Lithuania
    Official Selection
  • Tucson Film Festival
    Tucson
    United States
    Official Selection
  • NewsFest True Stories International Film and Writers Festival
    Santa Monica, CA
    United States
    Finalist
  • Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival
    Kolkata, West Bengal
    India
    Best Documentary
  • The Santa Clarita International Film Festival
    Santa Clarita
    United States
    December 8, 2023
  • Scorpusfest
    Holladay, Utah
    United States
    January 16, 2024
  • Santa Fe Film Festival
    Santa Fe, NM
    United States
    April 25, 2024
  • International Cultural Artifact Film Festival

    India
    Semifinalist
  • Orlando International Film Festival
    Orlando, Florida
    United States
    Award winner
  • Awarded Most Significant Creative/Artistic Work at Northern Arizona University
    Flagstaff
Director Biography - Kurt Lancaster

Kurt Lancaster's documentaries have screened at national and international film festivals (including ComicCon), and his award-winning students have gone on to start their own production house businesses, work as freelancers, as well as securing positions within the industry.

Kurt has also written several books on filmmaking, including Basic Cinematography: A Creative Guide to Visual Storytelling and DSLR Cinema.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

After nearly five years of working on this project, including drilling down into postproduction during covid lockdowns, I have completed this documentary on musician, Steve Roach. I deeply appreciate his willingness and openness on this project. It's been a rewarding journey.

In essence, this story is about a man overwhelmed by the cacophony of everyday life, and turns to the desert to find peace, which inspires him to create music from what he refers to as the “soundcurrent.” Nearly three hundred albums later (along with two Grammy nominations), he reflects on his life, loss, and process in what it means to sculpt sound from desert spaces.