Are We OK? Jebediah doco is both nostalgic triumph and cautionary tale

Emerging from Perth’s isolated music scene in the 1990s, Jebediah carved a unique path in Australian alternative rock, distinguished not just by their sound but by the enduring friendship at their core. The recently completed documentary, Are We OK?, directed by Arlo Dean Cook, offers a comprehensive examination of the band’s three-decade journey, presenting a nuanced portrait that intertwines nostalgia with raw honesty.

The film delves deeply into the relationships among the four original members—Kevin Mitchell, his brother Brett Mitchell, Vanessa Thornton, and Chris Daymond—highlighting how their longstanding camaraderie has been the foundation of their collective resilience. While their musical achievements are well-documented, the documentary shifts focus to the personal dynamics that sustained the group, especially during periods of adversity.

Cook’s involvement began in 2015 when he was invited to document Jebediah’s twentieth anniversary tour. Over an 11-year period, he captured both high-profile performances and intimate moments, ultimately gaining unprecedented access to the band’s inner workings. This extensive footage is interspersed with archival materials, vividly reconstructing the vibrant Australian alternative scene of the 1990s, a time when platforms like the Big Day Out festival and triple j radio bolstered the rise of homegrown talent.

Jebediah’s rise was meteoric; shortly after forming, they attracted attention from every major label in Australia. Their debut album, Slightly Odway, released in 1997 under Sony’s Murmur imprint, received immediate acclaim and marked them as trailblazers from Western Australia, becoming the first band from Perth to break into triple j’s top ten Hottest 100. This breakthrough paved the way for other WA acts such as Eskimo Joe and Tame Impala.

The documentary does not shy away from the complexities behind the band’s success. It candidly addresses challenges including the pressures of the music industry, the temptation of substance abuse, and the strains that fame can impose on personal relationships. In particular, a pivotal segment details an intervention staged by the band during a joint tour, confronting issues of addiction within their ranks. This honest portrayal underscores the fragility of their bond amid the turmoil.

Rather than sensationalize these difficulties, Are We OK? treats them as integral to the band’s narrative, emphasizing how support and loyalty among the members facilitated healing and renewal. The passage from youthful exuberance to mature reflection is a recurring theme, illustrated through contrasting imagery of their early days and present lives.

The film also sheds light on the band’s evolution beyond their initial success, including periods of hiatus and the pursuit of individual projects, such as Mitchell’s award-winning solo work under the name Bob Evans. These phases reveal the complexity of balancing personal growth with collective identity.

Are We OK? is notable for its balanced perspective, incorporating commentary from contemporaries and peers across the Australian music landscape, who provide context and validation to Jebediah’s experiences. Their insights enrich the narrative, framing the band’s story within broader themes of artistic integrity and the realities of touring life.

The documentary culminates in the band’s recent resurgence, spotlighting their 2024 album OIKS and an active touring schedule. This comeback is portrayed not merely as a revival of their musical output but as a testament to the perseverance of their friendship.

Premiering at the Melbourne International Film Festival in August 2024 and slated for national cinema release in October, Are We OK? stands as both a heartfelt homage and a cautionary exposition. It underscores that the true essence of Jebediah’s longevity lies not only in their musical legacy but in their unwavering commitment to each other through decades of triumphs and trials.