Celebrity DJ Adam Michael Goldstein, better known as DJ AM, was famed for his omnivorous approach to music. His work freely blended rock (he had been a member of rock band Crazy Town), hip-hop, techno and more. Unfortunately, he became equally newsworthy in a posthumous way — having conquered substance abuse problems, he spent a big chunk of his life helping others with similar problems, but a PTSD-related relapse after surviving a plane crash resulted in his death by overdose in 2009.
Now the story of DJ AM is being told in As I Am: The Life and Time$ of DJ AM, a new documentary by award-winning director Kevin Kerslake whose many credits include crafting music videos for heavyweight acts such as Depeche Mode, The Smashing Pumpkins, Helmet, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Sonic Youth.
As I Am: The Life and Time$ of DJ AM tells not just the ending, but the entire saga of AM’s life. The film has already had its first theatrical showing, but for the self-distribution necessary to make it widely available, additional financial help is needed. There’s a crowdfunding campaign going on right now for the film, which features interviews with everyone from Mark Ronson and Mix Master Mike to Diplo and Jon Favreau, as well as never-before-seen footage of AM himself. There are some pretty intriguing, limited-edition rewards for contributors to the campaign, including signed album covers, a Banksy piece from AM’s own art collection and the replica of Thomas Bangalter’s Daft Punk costume that AM wore to a 2008 HARD Halloween event. And that’s just for starters.
The producers of the film have set a campaign goal of $125,000. Two days into their campaign they’re already at the half-way point, with over 260 fans promising their support. With so much love for AM, odds are good that fans will help this labor of love get the distribution it deserves.