There is so much to say about  Nathan Christ’s documentary,“Echotone,” but one of my favorite moments in the film was seeing a cameo by my friend Ron Deutsch, who gave the film its name.

While giving a testimonial in front of the Austin City Council about the noise ordinance, Deutsch described the biological definition of the word “ecotone,” which is the transition area between two different wildlife communities. If you followed the tension between Austin’s new condos and old music venues in the last few years, it makes perfect sense.

(Deutsch told me, “If I’d known I was going to be the star of the film, I would have dressed a little better that day.”)

“Echotone” delves into the last few years of the Austin music scene and how growth and development in the city has encroached upon “The Live Music Capital of the World.”

The director follows Joe Lewis of Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Bill Baird of Soud Team and now Sunset and Cari Palazzalo of Belaire as they attempt a balance between staying true to their art and eating. In the background is the ever-changing Austin skyline and the struggle to keep Austin a music Mecca as condos tower over music venues.

The story is familiar to most of us, but the film goes far deeper than any news story or city council meeting about the sound ordinance or condo development.

There is the Cinderella story of Joe Lewis, who is delivering fish for Quality Seafood when the film opens and soon grabbing headlines around the world. Then there is Palazzo of Belaire, who is happy to just make her music and nothing more. Bill Baird gets caught in the corporate restructuring of Capitol Records and the potential success of Sound Team is shattered.

Some moments are hysterical - a long montage of downtown construction set to classical music where port-a-potties and windows seemingly dance across the sky, Lewis' charming grandmother balking at the cameras during a CD release and a some of the other city council testimonials. Other moments are a bit darker - the fall of Sound Team, especially.

But, all is not lost, and the panel discussion after the film is proof. The Mohawk has made some peace with the Red River lofts (residents have to sign a clause stating they are aware of moving into a music district). Baird has a new project and a new studio. Austin Music People just launched to centralize and fight for the interests of the music community. The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is growing and the Live Music Task Force is in full swing.

Christ did an excellent job of capturing and blending the ongoing tension in the city and the personalities of the musicians. The music sequences added to the film, rather than dragging on – a common problem with music documentaries. Though it’s clear Christ sides with the artists, he gave a voice to the developers in the film. He seems to embrace the view that the growth will continue whether we like it or not – we just need to find better ways to manage it. 

"Echotone" screens for a second time on Tuesday at 10 p.m. at the Texas Spirit Theater.

Check out the trailer and pre-order the DVD here.