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Film School is an American indie rock band from Los Angeles and San Francisco, California.

Inspired by post-punk, dreamy pop and a touch of electronica, Film School started in 1998 as a two-piece band. Greg Berten played guitar, keyboards, sang and wrote songs whilst Paige Weber played drums. The pair recorded material together, a lot of which never saw the light of day, whilst the rest they distributing on their own. The collaboration lasted a couple of years until around 2000, when both members chose to go their separate ways.

Greg began to write some new material and with Paige out of the picture he joined forces with a rotating cast of musicians to make 2001's full-length A Brilliant Career. Involved in the sessions were keyboardist Jason Ruck and guitarist/vocalist Nyles Lannon, who both went on to become permanent members of the band and Scott Kannberg from Pavement.

For the tour supporting A Brilliant Career, Film School recruited Lannon's fellow Technicolor bass player Justin LaBo and drummer Ben Montesano. This lineup recorded 2003's Alwaysnever EP for Kannberg's boutique label Amazing Grease. After appearing at South by Southwest early in 2005, Film School signed to Beggars Banquet and began recording, joined by new drummer Donny Newenhouse. The On & On EP arrived that fall and heralded the release of their self-titled album in winter 2006.

Film School's lineup had almost completely changed by the time Hideout, their third album, arrived in 2007; bassist Lorelei Plotczyk, guitarist Dave Dupuis, and drummer James Smith added to the album’s darker, more cohesive sound.

The group spent most of 2008 touring in support of the album and contributed a cover of An American Dream to the Love and Rockets tribute album New Tales To Tell the following year.

When Beggars Banquet dissolved and left Film School without a label, the band members planned to release their fourth album, Fission, by themselves. However, Hi-Speed Soul, which issued albums by the group’s former tourmate Adam Franklin, stepped in and gave Fission a mid-2010 release.

Film School has also provided music for a series of short films by Demetri Martin, known collectively as Clearification, an advertising campaign for Windows Vista.

APPEARANCES +


Film School
Isla / Superperfection
2021, File, FLAC, MP3, Maxi, 44., Sonic Ritual
Film School
Said Your Name
2021, File, FLAC, Single, Sonic Ritual
Film School
Stratospheric Tendencies
2021, File, FLAC, Single, Sonic Ritual
Film School
Take What You Need
2021, File, FLAC, Single, Sonic Ritual
Film School
Swim
2020, 2xFile, FLAC, Single, Not On Label (Film School Self-released)
Film School
Go (But Not Too Far)
2019, File, FLAC, Single, Not On Label (Film School Self-released), ,
Indie Rock
Film School
Influencer
2019, File, FLAC, Single, Not On Label (Film School Self-released), ,
Indie Rock
Film School
Go Low
2018, File, FLAC, Not On Label (Film School Self-released)
Film School
Bye Bye Bird
2017, File, MP3, 320, Not On Label (Film School Self-released)
Film School
June
2016, 4xFile, MP3, EP, Not On Label (Film School Self-released)
Film School
Daytrotter Session 11/18/2008
2008, 5xFile, MP3, 128, Daytrotter
Various
Talitres Is 5
2006, 2xCD, Comp, Talitres Records, ,
Folk Rock/Post Rock/Lo-Fi/Pop Rock/Indie Rock
Various
U.S. Customs Control: Quality Approved Volume I
2005, CD, Comp, Promo, Beggars Group, 4AD, Matador, XL Recordings, Too Pure, Beggars Banquet, ,
Indie Rock
Various
Shock & Oar
2004
Various
Blue
2003, CD, Comp, Ltd, Dreams By Degrees, ,
Ambient/Post Rock/Experimental/Folk
Various
Sailor Jerry Presents Vol. 4
2011, CD, Comp, Promo, Car, Not On Label, ,
Indie Rock/Garage Rock/Pop Rock
Various
Cargosampler #129/11
2011, CDr, Comp, Promo, Smplr, Cargo Records
Various
Filter Magazine's Showdown At Cedar Street
2008, CD, Promo, Smplr, Car, Filter Magazine, ,
Alternative Rock/Rock & Roll/Pop Rock/Folk Rock/Country Rock
Various
Tankfarm Future Sounds 29
2007, CD, Comp, Promo, MySpace Records, Tankfarm Future Sounds, Tankfarm-aid
Various
Welcome To 2006
2006, CD, Comp, Vital Sales & Marketing, ,
Alternative Rock/Acoustic/Electro/Pop Rock/Pop Rap
Various
Wild Flowers: A Selection From The Beggars Group Latest Releases
2006, CDr, Comp, Promo, Smplr, car, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, ,
Alternative Rock/Indie Rock/Post-Punk
Various
Every Day Is Saturday
2006, CD, Comp, Chronicle Books
Various
Off The Wall
2005, CDr, Comp, Promo, Smplr, car, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, ,
Alternative Rock/Electro/Indie Rock
Various
Best Of New Talent - SXSW 2004
2004, CD, Comp, Promo, Music Week
Various
InRadio 10: Creek Cats
2004, CD, Comp, Smplr, InRadio
Various
Break - In The City - Artist Academy
2004, CDr, Enh, Promo, The Band Agency, In The City (3), ,
Indie Rock/Alternative Rock/Grime/Glam
Various
Public Display Of Affection (The Sound Of Independent Radio)
2004, CD, ,
Alternative Rock/Acoustic/Country Rock/Folk Rock/Indie Rock/Shoegaze/Ambient
Various
CMJ New Music Monthly Volume 115 August 2003
2003, CD, Comp, Promo, College Music Journal
Various
The Dark Farm…
2003, CD, Comp, Hyperion Media
Various
House Of Hassle Volume 1
CD, Comp, Promo, House Of Hassle,
Various
Future Sounds From the Future Vol. 16
CD, Comp, Promo, Tankfarm Future Sounds