SXSW Film Review: ‘Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton (This Is Stones Throw Records)’

This is one for the fans. If Madlib, J Dilla, and MF Doom records spin on your deck regularly, Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton will feed your appreciation. Otherwise it’s a pleasant document of an art-first, profits-last outfit done good.

Stones Throw has made a name releasing records that might not go gold, but sell to the right people. Hip-hop tastemakers look at the label’s main players as innovators, always thinking ahead. The influence of producers J Dilla and Madlib on rap extends far beyond their sales numbers, and the big names interviewed for the movie prove it. Renowned artists like Questlove, Common, and an eloquent Kanye West expound on Stones Throw’s regard within the industry.

There’s no shortage of vintage footage from the label’s early days and a real insider’s look into the communal nature of the core players’ relationship. Artistic touches in the cinematography and editing keep things visually interesting, but the film hits a self-indulgent patch when discussing lesser-known players on the roster. Label head Peanut Butter Wolf wraps things up saying he wants people to either love or hate his releases, but Our Vinyl ends up somewhere in between.

See our interview with Peanut Butter Wolf here.

Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton (This Is Stones Throw Records)

This article appears in March 7 • 2014.