D.I.Y. or Die: How to Survive as an Independent Artist is a low-budget documentary film released by Music Video Distributors in 2002. The film is a “celebration of the underdog” and deals with why artists do what they do, regardless of the lack of a continuous paycheck.
The film features some artists that define the DIY ethic and speaks to the overall DIY culture. It features interviews with Lydia Lunch, Ian MacKaye, J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr, Jim Rose, J. G. Thirlwell of Foetus, Mike Watt, Eric McFadden, Richard Kern (filmmaker), Ron Asheton of The Stooges, Madigan Shive of Bonfire Madigan, Lynn Breedlove of Tribe 8 and Dave Brockie of Gwar, among others. The 60-minute film explores the methods and motivations of independent American artists working in different genres and mediums. “DIY or Die” profiles a fascinating group of icons and unknowns working in various media including print, film, graphic art, performance art and music.
Alicia Dattner appears in the credit sequence as a punk street artist stapling DIY flyers. Original artwork for the credits drawn by Attaboy, co-founder of Hi-Fructose Contemporary Art Magazine.
The DVD was released (under the title “D.I.Y. or Die: Burn This DVD”) with no region restrictions or copy protection. Director Michael W. Dean allowed and even encouraged people to make copies for non-commercial use. In an industry where filmmakers continue to play by the same tired rules, it’s always refreshing to see someone come along and mix things up like Michael W. Dean has done, making his documentary fully available to watch on YouTube and, consequentially, here as well. In a similar move to recording artists like Radiohead or Saul Williams, you can watch Michael’s documentary for free, and always purchase a DVD if you so feel like doing so. Either way, you will get to see it.
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