New documentary to profile seminal Gothenburg electronic indie scene to premiere at Way Out West
It Pays To Belong, a documentary profiling seminal Swedish band The Embassy and the electronic indie scene that came out of Gothenburg in the first decade of the 21st century will have its premiere this August at the Way Out West festival.
Directed by Björn Fävremark and John Boisen, the film looks at the cultural impact of the iconic electronic indie duo, The Embassy, and delves into the broader music landscape that arose from artists in the west coast city.
"Through the duo’s long friendship and uncompromising drive, the film explores belonging: to each other, to a scene, and to an idea that outlives its moment," reads publicity blurb for the 67-minute film. Part of the documentary was filmed at a Best Fit-curated Embassy show at The Social in London back in May 2024.
The Embassy were previously signed to the now defunct Service label, founded in 2001 by Ola Borgström and Dan Lissvik, releasing records by Studio, The Embassy, Franke, Jens Lekman, Erik de Vahl, Lake Heartbeat, Ikons and The Tough Alliance – a massive influence on the next generation of music from Sweden including rapper Yung Lean. Kleerup and Robyn's iconic collaboration "With Every Heartbeat" was also first released by Service's imprint Risky Dazzle. The label stopped putting out music in 2012.
Way Out West runs from 13-15 August. Among the other films showing at the festival are: Annemarie Jacir’s historical drama Palestine 36 – Palestine’s Oscar submission, and the Nordic premieres of Olivia Wilde’s The Invite, andJane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.
Sign up to Best Fit's Substack for regular dispatches from the world of pop culture