Long Way to the Top

To fans, the life of a musician seems glamorous; sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. While that may be true of the world's biggest rockstars, many artists struggle to make ends meet. As LONG WAY TO THE TOP reveals, life on the road isn't easy. It's comprised of long months away from friends and family, nights sleeping in cold vans, and hopes that merch sales will allow for the occasional grungy hotel, or at the very least, pay for gas. But not every musician is doing it to become a celebrity. Their love for music and its tool as a universal language is what keeps them so focused on their dream. LONG WAY TO THE TOP chronicles the journeys of three musical acts – indie rock group Grizfolk, singer-songwriter David Ramirez, and heavy metal band The Sword. It also features interviews with such bands as Def Leppard, Weezer, Limp Bizkit, and Nine Inch Nails, who offer advice and stories from their early days. This terrific documentary will resonate loudly with musicians, while also giving fans a more honest view of the lives of their idols. – E.F.