MUSIC NEWS - Public tv's WNET.ORG today announced a new phase of the Public Television Rocks! initiative. Called, “Live from the Artists Den,” an innovative new music series featuring extraordinary artists performing in extraordinary settings, premiering in the USA on public television starting February 2009 (check local tv listings). Weekly, the series will spotlights a cutting-edge contemporary musician performing at an intimate, invitation-only concert, and includes artist interviews and insights about the unconventional venues chosen.
The season will kicks off with a performance by seven-time Grammy Award-winner Alanis Morissette, recorded at Judson Memorial Church, the famous Lombardo-Romanesque structure built in 1890 located in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The funky grooves and smooth balladry of soul singer, producer, and three-time 2009 Grammy nominee Raphael Saadiq (formerly of Tony! Toni! Toné!) is next with an evening filmed at Boston’s magnificent Harvard Club. Filmed in high def, 13 one-hour episodes are planned for the series’ first season on public television, including stellar performances from Ani DiFranco, Jakob Dylan, Aimee Mann, Patty Griffin, The Swell Season, Ben Harper and The Hold Steady.
Unlike many other televised music series, “Live from the Artists Den” breaks away from the confines of a conventional studio set by unveiling a new, unexpected venue in every episode. Each location is transformed into a concert setting for one night. All top, live acts, the musicians often play a role in picking the stage for these memorable events, which frequently inspire new renditions of songs and special set lists. Noted music critic Alan Light (former editor-in-chief of “Vibe” and “Spin” magazines) conducts artist interviews on-site at every concert.
“I walked into this room, looked around, and thought, ‘wow, this is probably the most beautiful venue I've played in on this run,’” said Raphael Saadiq of his Artists Den performance at the Harvard Club. “I like to be really close to the people, get a feel for them, so I'm at home in venues like this. This building has some history and my music has some history, so I think it’s a perfect match.” Exclusive videos of extended artist interviews, photos, set lists and venue histories will be available online at WNET.org/Artistden.
“Live from the Artists Den” will also feature independent singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the oldest art museum in the US; singer/songwriter Jakob Dylan, lead singer of platinum-selling band The Wallflowers at Desmond Tutu Cultural Center in NYC; recent indie-pop sensation Ingrid Michaelson (“The Way I Am,” featured in “Grey’s Anatomy”) at Cape Cinema, a 1930s movie theater on Cape Cod, MA; and classic rock-inspired indie band The Hold Steady at a former bank now designated an NYC landmark. Other featured artists include KT Tunstall, Crowded House and Josh Ritter. Edited versions of select episodes aired on Ovation TV in 2008. This February, public television gives audiences a front-row seat at these once-in-a-lifetime events with the series launch of “Live from the Artists Den.”
Alanis Morissette , was fantastic,her back up was kickin. I was going to listen to one song, was hooked for the full show!! ROCK ON
Posted by: raul torres | Mar 22, 2009 at 12:43 PM