“I conceived it as a musical because I was so moved and inspired by his songwriting”: Ethan Silverman on AngelHeaded Hipster

AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan and T Rex is a documentary that gives a fascinating insight into the life, story and music of Marc Bolan. It catalogues his journey from London childhood to folk singer to pioneer of glam rock, going on to become the epitome of a rock star. The director Ethan Silverman decides to let the people that knew Bolan best, including Elton John, Ringo Starr, David Bowie, his son Rolan, plus a plethora of others, tell the real story of the real Marc Bolan and what his music meant to each of them.

The documentary is not formulaic but part autobiography, part celebration, part behind the scenes. It not only includes new interviews but also unseen footage of T Rex and Marc Bolan performing. However, those are not the only performances on display, as the film also features reimaginings of Bolan songs from the highest echelons of the music world, including U2 and Joan Jett, with Nick Cave’s version of Cosmic Dancer an unexpected emotional highlight.

In this interview with The Upcomings’ Mike Garnell, Silverman discusses how the project was put together, Bolan’s complicated relationship with Bowie, and where Blona and indeed T Rex belong within the realms of music history.

Mike Garnell

AngelHeaded Hipster is released in select cinemas and on demand on 22^nd September 2023.

Watch the trailer for AngelHeaded Hipster here: