Sky Arts to Broadcast ‘From The Basement’

"From The Basement" is what a music show should be: no tv show host, no audience, just an intimate setting and a genuine performance from some of today's finest musicians. The show depicts a unique, behind-the-scenes feel, like a jam-session or rehearsal before the big show - but with an eye for the details and sound that takes in elements beyond what even an in-person experience might be.

 

The production of "From the Basement" is groundbreaking in the world of visual music documentary expression, which is to be expected as the brain child of Music Producer Nigel Godrich and Creative Director/Producer Dilly Gent. Godrich has applied his brilliant ear to all of the episodes, and combined with the formidably exquisite production value that music commissioner and former Radiohead creative director Dilly Gent brings to the project, the show far surpasses anything that has been seen before.

 

Each show is an hour long with three musical guests. Dilly Gent, known for her keen eye for talent, felt from the beginning that it was important for viewers to be introduced to emerging artists like Thundercat, Shearwater or Willis Earl Beal alongside the powerhouse bands.

 

"The excitement of witnessing the emerging artists perform is especially heightened in a situation such as the one that From The Basement provides, where the viewer can see the band in an intimate setting with the best technology and crew behind them. It's a chance to introduce these burgeoning talents to a new audience,” says Gent.

 

Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers commented: “This is one of the best television shows for music, and it's a real honor to be a part of it."

 

Paydirt Pictures director Vern Moen shot all but one of the sessions which will be broadcast on the Sky Arts Channel (with the exception of David Barnes’ Chili Peppers episode}, and many of the other sessions that are presently online, including the Radiohead “King Of Limbs” special. Moen, known for meticulously documenting his subjects' performances and antics in his signature on-the-road style, is responsible for the documentary Plastiki and the Material of the Future as well as numerous music videos for bands such as Cold War Kids, the Foo Fighters and The Dead Weather.

 

On his approach for directing From The Basement, Vern says: "The show was originally created to follow the music. The performance had to come first and I was just there to document what happened. I designed the space to feel intimate, so anybody watching would feel like they were the only one's watching - maybe from a couch in the corner."

This new series kicked off on SkyArts on the 12th of January with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who performed their tenth studio album I'm With You, including "Monarchy of Roses" and "Look Around."

 

Airdates

1. Red Hot Chili Peppers: January 12th 

2. Scissor Sisters: January 19th

3. Feist: January 26th

4. Moby: February 2nd

5. Foster the People: February 9th

6. The Shins: February 16th