By Charlotte Lewis
Frederick Pinto writes a fast paced story of the misadventures of Charles Barca ingénue of the music talent business based in Montreal. He dismissively waves away the staid lifestyle offered after graduate school to pursue development of several small projects one of which rockets into the success PlayLouder. Charles blithely coasts through his glamorous life as the guru of a system that locates unsigned musical talent and markets them to the music industry. He is a stereotype of self-absorbed success who has little time or respect for personal relationships through the haze of drugs and sycophants. A venture capitalist unexpectedly enacts a buyout clause that severs Charles from his company propelling him to end an unsatisfying relationship and search for his lost passion of finding musical talent.
With comic irony Charles is hunted down through various counties to sign buy out documents and inadvertently creates rumor that he has another big project in the making. Charles efforts to dispel the myth building around him culminate at a music conference where he is pressured to speak. With no preparation he gives a heartfelt speech on the condition of the music industry and the distance between what is should be and what it is. He meets a talented young musician there he cannot impress with his acumen or style who eventually becomes catalytic in Charles rediscovering purpose in his professional and personal life.
