Eight-part music industry doco ’Soundbreaking’ gets Foxtel Arts premiere

Soundbreaking, the epic eight-part documentary on the evolution of record production and innovative sounds, created by America’s PBS channel, gets its Australian premiere on Foxtel Arts next month.

Over 160 recording artists, producers, and music industry pioneers were interviewed about the birth of new sounds in rock music.

These range from The Beatles’ groundbreaking use of multi-track technology to the synthesized styling of Stevie Wonder, from disco-era drum machines to the modern art of sampling and hip hop’s impact on sounds.

The first episode, The Art Of Recording, screens on Thursday March 1 at 7.30pm, with Ben Harper, Linda Perry, Mark Ronson, Annie Lennox and Roger Daltrey on the challenge of recording vocals.

Going Electric (March 8) details how the electric guitar transformed rock in the hands of Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix and Keith Richards.

Interviews include Jeff Beck, Don Was and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.

Four On The Floor (March 15) on the Motown sound and what the ‘80s brought.

Interviews include Smokey Robinson, Lamont Dozier, Carlos Santana, Debbie Harry, Giorgio Moroder and Billy Idol.

Producers The Dream and Tricky Stewart talk about writing and recording Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’

The World Is Yours (March 22) is on the rise of hip-hop in the Bronx, with observations from Afrika Bambaata, Q Tip, Darryl McDaniels, Neneh Cherry, Chuck D, Q Tip and Rick Rubin.

Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock) looks at some of the Beastie Boys’ tracks.

Sound And Vision (March 22) highlights acts who embraced video in the pre-MTV era as David Bowie, The Beatles, Blondie and Devo.

Interviewed are Debbie Harry, Mark Mothersbaugh, Tom Freston, Annie Lennox,Dave Grohl, Eric Clapton and producer Scott Litt.

Another Australian premiere next month is I’m Not In Love – The Story of 10cc (Saturday March 3).

On the 40th anniversary of the British band’s smash hit ‘I’m Not In Love’ the original 10cc lineup – Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Crème – reunite to tell their story.

The band took its name from how much of sperm an average man ejaculates during sex.

The documentary covers not only their approach to records and tours, but looks at the political in-fighting which caused their split in 1976 at the height of their fame.

Also giving input are 10cc’s manager Harvey Lisberg, lyricist Sir Tim Rice, broadcaster Paul Gambaccini, producer Trevor Horn, Stewart Copeland (The Police), Graham Nash (The Hollies) and Dan Gillespie Sells (The Feeling).

Foxtel Arts new Australian-made half hour review program Screen (from Wednesday March 7 at 7.30pm) with Margaret Pomeranz and Graeme Blundell looks at the impact of the Back To The Future movies on popular culture, and Behind The Seams: The Making Of The Dressmaker.