Dr. Martens Presents is working with filmmakers Erik Rojas and Vincent Martell to capture the path, purpose and experience of the artists on our lineup. Through the filmmakers' unique lenses, we’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of these working musicians – a view not often seen by those outside of these artists’ immediate circles.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: MOANING

The members of three-piece band Moaning don’t subscribe to the classic definition of strength. Their always-evolving sound and introspective lyrics speak to a deeper resilience: the vulnerability of bettering yourself. Written while their vocalist Shaun got sober, Moaning’s newest music showcases the struggle and triumph of self-progress.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: PHONY PPL

Five-man band Phony Ppl is expansive beyond genre. Raised on a variety of music inspirations, from rock to jazz to classical, they use their diverse sound to deliver a set crackling with vibrant energy. Phony Ppl performed for us at The Sultan Room in their native Brooklyn, and showed us how they rise above being pigeon-holed by the music industry.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: OSHUN

The powerful connection between artists Thandiwe and Niambi Sala is at the heart of OSHUN. Their authentic sisterhood, forged between two outsiders, creates a space where Thandiwe and Sala can take unapologetic risks with their music. And the result is powerful and intentional. OSHUN’s DM Presents set at NYU (their alma mater) was full of the textured sounds that build what they call the Oshuniverse.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: DEATH VALLEY GIRLS

Veterans of the late nineties grunge scene, LA’s Death Valley Girls isn’t waiting for the scene to accept them—they’re manifesting their own. The band has been touring almost non-stop since their inception, layering their rock ‘n roll sound on top of a somewhat mystical and definitely psychedelic base. Armed with a clear vision of what they want and the grit to get through life on the road, their hard work is starting to pay off.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: THE PARANOYDS + SADGIRL

It’s a Thursday night and The Cinema Bar is packed, ready to hear the next generation of American rock. The Paranoyds and SadGirl don’t disappoint. Retro and yet entirely of the current time, SadGirl is motivated by a clear vision of their sound-- spaghetti western surf rock if you had to put a name to it. Rather than being dissuaded by a crowded music scene in their native LA, SadGirl is driven to keep creating the music they want to hear in the world. Hustling alongside them is The Paranoyds, who know it takes resilience and bravery to work against the system in place. Founded by model Staz Lindes and her best friend Laila Hashemi, the Paranoyds are here to sonically revolutionize the male-dominated music scene, all while serving rock n’ roll revelry to their fans.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: JIMI LUCID

Genre-bending NYC musician Jimi Lucid is here to commit a radical act -- being himself. Coming from a “lineage of weirdness,” Lucid draws inspiration from black artists living outside the norm -- Little Richard, Prince, and Hendrix, to name a few. A little psychedelic, a little punk, and completely his own, Jimi Lucid’s sound and style was on full display at his Dr. Martens Presents show in Queens, NYC.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: COMBO CHIMBITA

Combo Chimbita are first-generation New Yorkers from Colombia -- and we’re lucky to get their perspective on life through the lens of what they’re calling tropical futurism. The group combines an Afro-Caribbean, Latinx sound with an electronic edge, using their music as a language of connection with each other, their heritage, and their audience. That unity allows the four-piece band to navigate the often-treacherous labyrinth of the music industry. Fueled by the energy of resistance, Combo Chimbita triumphantly returned to Barbés – the site of their jam band beginnings – with Dr. Martens Presents.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: L.A. WITCH

Before they recorded an album, garage rock trio L.A. Witch toured for two years. Their DIY beginnings – from hand-making merch, burning CDs one by one, and booking their own shows – made them who they are today. The result? A super-tight set that comes from long months spent playing together on the road, with Ellie English leading the way with heavy, pounding drumming and Irita Pai’s propulsive bass. The fuzzy sound is ghostly, yet dreamy at the same time; in other words, as haunting and free as an L.A. witch should be.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: DE'WAYNE JACKSON

De’Wayne Jackson hails from just outside Houston, Texas. It was here that he first developed his love of music, riding in his dad’s Cadillac listening to mixtapes. The kid that never quite fit in, he moved to LA to try to find acceptance as a professional musician and performer. Sleeping in cars, working two jobs, but still striving to make it in the LA music scene, his story is that of a tireless artist whose sound reflects his passion and struggle.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: SAMIA

Every song from NYC’s Samia shows her talent for capturing the most intimate experiences and sharing them in a way that speaks directly to your heart. At just 22, the singer song-writer has already been through many iterations of her music including losing and gaining band mates. Through unshakable persistence Samia found her sound and her creative community. She and her friends partnered with Dr. Martens Presents for a show that is a celebration and continuation of the work Samia has done.

DR. MARTENS PRESENTS: PJ

In 2014, singer-songwriter PJ moved to Los Angeles with a publishing deal that was supposed to launch her music career. When the deal fell apart and the money dried up, PJ had to stay focused and keep working toward her dream despite the humbling experience of going from budding musician to grocery store bagger. Today she is signed to Atlantic Records, is "one to watch" in the R&B scene and has penned songs for Meek Mill and Wiz Khalifa to name a few.

VINCENT MARTELL - NYC

Vincent Martell is the head of VAM Studio, a New York City production company amplifying and uplifting voices, films and art from people of color, queers and femmes. Focusing on narratives that have a social impact, Martell is well aware that he’s created something unapologetically beautiful. His ability to stay tough helps him protect the unique and diverse community he’s created.

ERIK ROJAS - LA

Los Angeles native Erik Rojas got his first camcorder at 15 so he could film himself and friends skateboarding. Rojas quickly fell in love with making movies and has since hustled to create a career in film. It takes persistence and resilience to make it, but Rojas doesn’t have to go far to look for inspiration; whether it’s his dad who immigrated from Columbia to find a better life in the U.S. or working with other LA artists who are hustling to make their dreams come true. He will document what it takes to be a creative making it in LA.