Kooley High, movie stars

To date, Kooley High has only released one proper album--and an E.P. at that. But that didn't stop filmmaker Napoleon Wright from deciding the young rap group was a worthy enough subject to be the focus of a documentary, "One Time." The film debuts Jan. 24 at the Galaxy Theater in Cary.

Here's the trailer:

"One Day" Movie Preview from Kooley High on Vimeo.

Dex Romweber makes his acting debut, jams with Dave Matthews (?!)

Dexter Romweber, the former Flat Duo Jets frontman, makes his acting debut in "Lake City" alongside Sissy Spacek, Keith Carradine and Rebecca Romijn. In the movie, Romweber plays "Frank," the guitarist in Keith Carradine's band. In other odd-pairing news, Romweber's joined in the fictional band by none other than Dave Matthews. "Lace City" is directed by Perry Moore (producer for "The Chronicles of Narnia" franchise), and debuted in April at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Since filming for "Lake City" wrapped, Romweber's returned to music with The Dexter Romweber Duo, featuring his sister Sara (Let's Active, Snatches of Pink) on drums. The duo has been working on its Bloodshot Records debut with producer John Plymale and a bevy of guests including Cat Power, Neko Case, Exene Cervenka and Rick Miller of Southern Culture On The Skids, aiming for a February 2009 release.

Dexter Romweber Duo Tour Dates:
10/23 - The Red and The Black, Washington, D.C.
10/24 - Railroad Street, Linfield, PA
10/25 - Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY (Bloodshot CMJ Showcase/day show)
10/25 - Southpaw, Brooklyn, NY (night show)
10/26 - Abbey Lounge, Boston, MA
10/29 - Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ
10/30 - The Triple, Richmond, VA
10/31 - The Garage, Winston-Salem, NC
11/6 - Casa Nueva, Athens, OH
11/7 - Dangerously Delicious Pies, Baltimore, MD
11/8 - Dogfish Head, Milton, DE
11/22 - Tap House, Norfolk, VA

Music Maker documentary premieres this month

"Toot Blues," a 74-minute documentary on the history of the Hillsborough, N.C.-based Music Maker Relief Foundation and its founder, Tim Duffy, is set to premiere at the New Orleans Film Festival on October 15 at the Prytania Theater.

The film, directed by Chris Johnstone, focuses on Duffy's interaction with and support for the blues music and musicians in the South. Carolinas blues-fans can also look for appearances by Cool John Ferguson, the late Cootie Stark and John Dee Holeman among the performance footage from Music Maker's deep roster of Southern blues greats.

The premiere showing is followed by a free after-party at Checkpoint Charlie's featuring live performances from Alabama Slim, Little Freddie King and Slewfoot.