La Blogotheque’s Take-Away Shows has been a staple bookmarked favourite for indie music fans since they first hit the Interweb four years ago. Capturing impromptu performances of various indie acts in natural, and sometimes unconventional, settings on the streets of Paris, the online video series has built a significant following over the years.

One fan in particular was so inspired by the series’ concept, he decided to create a Canadian counterpart. It all began last summer when former Sheridan film student Mitch Fillion began shooting a documentary on Hamilton’s burgeoning music scene. After filming, mixing, and editing plenty of live footage from various local bands, Fillion eventually decided that the material would not work as a cohesive film.

Instead, he came up with the idea for Southern Souls, a website that showcases intimate performances in varying environments from up-and-coming indie acts based in Southern Ontario.

To date, the website has more than 125 video clips, which features performances by The Wooden Sky, Ohbijou, Forest City Lovers, Laura Barrett, Maylee Todd, Diamond Rings, Evening Hymns, and My Liner Notes Presents… alumni, Lowlands.

My Liner Notes caught up with Fillion, who discussed his inspiration behind Southern Souls, combining his passions for film and music, and the future of the website following its recent relocation from Hamilton to Montreal.

My Liner Notes: The website obviously takes its cue from La Blogotheque and Black Cab Sessions. Were you ever worried that people would criticize the videos and website for being too similar in cinematography and design layout as these sites?

Mitch Fillion: It hasn’t bothered me. I talk about them being an inspiration all the time, in every interview and on the website. It’s more of an homage to them than anything, not worrying if something turns out similar but at the same time doing things the way I would do them. And I’ve always dreamed of working with them so it made sense to present things in a somewhat similar style to show them that you’re capable of it. Now that opportunity is finally here and I’ll be shooting my first session with them tomorrow afternoon in Montreal, so I guess it worked?

How do you end up choosing the bands/artists you do, and has anyone ever declined on your request to shoot video of them?

MF: I choose the bands because I like their music. I do this for free and the project reflects my musical taste so I wouldn’t film a band I wasn’t passionate about. The Tragically Hip didn’t respond to me but other than that I’ve been pretty lucky.

What makes for an interesting location to shoot a band?
 
MF: It should be unique visually or conceptually.

What is your favourite music documentary?

MF: The Devil and Daniel Johnston.
 
Aside from Vincent Moon (La Blogotheque), who are some of your other filmmaker inspirations?

MF: He’s not really an inspiration aside from that I am filming bands in the same fashion. He is amazing at what he does and I love his videos but you’ll never be as good as someone if you’re trying to be like them. I think it’s better to be your own inspiration and let your own work excite you. But aside from that I would say my biggest inspirations are some the great filmmakers of our time such as Jean Luc Godard, Ingmar Bergman, Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, Woody Allen, and Terry Gilliam, to name a few.
 
I understand that you don’t acquire any filming permits for any of these shoots. Have you ever been hassled by security or any authorities during a shoot?
 
MF: It’s happened, but they usually let us finish the song before they kick us out, or that is to say we just keep rolling. If you watch the Final Flash video you can see a dude standing with his arms crossed for the second half of the video.
 
What will become of the site now that you are relocating to Montreal?

MF: It will carry on as normal, the name won’t change, it’s too well known at this point and I recently registered it as a business. It’ll speak of it’s origin I guess, which is fine, and southern Ontario will always be my home and I’ll definitely still try to document what I can of it whenever I’m there. But just like I did in Hamilton and Toronto I’ll film bands that are touring through, hopefully some of my friends from back home.
 
What are some of your dream bands/artists you would want to film?

MF: Ryan Dahle, Joan of Arc, The New Pornographers.