<b><i>From The Basement</i></b> Kicks Off This December

Leslie Cheung over 18 years ago

"Down In The Basement looking up at the Stars" is the tag line of the new production by producer Nigel Godrich.

In the press release of the series, it stated "From The Basement is a music series that features the most intimate live performances from the finest musicians on the planet." The series was filmed in high-definition in Maida Vale studios in London with live sound produced by Nigel Godrich. The performances were shot with no audience and no host, and the performances took the center stage.

For the first episode, it features Thom Yorke, The Whites Stripes and Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid.

Thom Yorke gave exclusive solo performance of two Radiohead tracks, "Videotape" and "Down Is The New Up", both will be featured on the forthcoming Radiohead album coming out in 2007. Thom Yorke's performance was shot before the release of his debut solo album The Eraser.

The White Stripes performed three tracks from their Grammy-winning album Get Behind Me Satan, "Blue Orchid", "Ugly As I Seem" and "Red Rain".

Four Tet's Kieran Hebden performed an improvisational piece, "Mom's Marmalade" with jazz drummer Steve Reid. The performance was directed by Sophie Muller. The pair worked together on their critically acclaimed album The Exchange Sessions (Vol. 1 & 2).

Jack White III of the White Stripes remarks, "I don't think a music program has recorded a performance on analog reel to reel in thirty years. It was beautifully filmed, and the sound quality makes a performance on a regular TV talk show sound like a wax cylinder recording. No host. Thank God."

Kieran Hebden adds, "Everything was done to capture the music in the best possible way, rather than just to make snappy TV. It's not a live gig, it's something different - seeing musicians in a studio setting, not worrying about the audience. What a positive thing. Heavy analogue sounds, wonderfully filmed picture and a chance to see music performed in a way that is rarely seen."

The first episode will be available for download on December 18 at the official digital store or iTunes.

You can read more information about the show or watch the trailer on http://fromthebasement.tv.

Show #1 track-listing:

The White Stripes - "Blue Orchid/Party Of Special Things To Do"
Thom Yorke - "Videotape"
Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid - "Mom's Marmalade"
The White Stripes - "Ugly As I Seem"
Thom Yorke - "Down Is The New Up"
The White Stripes - "Red Rain"

Screen captures from the trailer: