Under The Volcano is a brand new documentary exploring the fascinating history of legendary producer, Sir George Martin's – often referred to as the "Fifth Beatle" in reference to his extensive involvement in all of the Beatles' albums – isolated, ultimately doomed, AIR Studio on the Caribbean island of Monserrat in the West Indies.
Members of The Police, Duran Duran and Dire Straits all appear in the film recalling the glory days and unexplained magic of the volcanic island studio that saw many iconic artists emerge from songwriting slumps to produce their best work and some of the most enduring pop smashes of the ’80s – including Elton John’s Too Low For Zero, home two of his most enduring hits, I’m Still Standing and I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues; The Police recorded both Ghost In The Machine (1981) and Synchronicity (1983) there, producing two of their biggest hit singles, Every Breath You Take and Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic; Steel Wheels by The Rolling Stones, Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits, plus seminal albums by America, Duran Duran and many more.
Duran Duran recorded at George Martin's Air Studios on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, and now have participated in a documentary about it. @underthevolcanomovie is available to rent or buy from 26 July 🎵 Learn more here:
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) July 19, 2021
https://t.co/cPJ6yvYvt8 #UnderTheVolcano pic.twitter.com/jtJi0JEHeB
Of course, the centre point of the film is the maestro producer George Martin, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 90. Martin appears in archival footage, recalling the glory days of recording in the paradise setting, as well as the devastating volcano that would ultimately destroy the oasis at the end of the 80s. Watch the official trailer below!
Under The Volcano [Official Trailer]
“We got permission to go to the studio to film, but it’s falling apart and very unsafe,” the film's Australian producer, Cody Greenwood told SMH. “Everyone had to wear masks to protect us from mould and if you stepped on the wrong part of the floorboards you could fall right through.”
But for Greenwood, the film was about more the visiting rock stars, she hones in on the utopia atmosphere of the island created by the residents themselves, including George “Tappy” Morgan, the studio cook and Danny Sweeney, who taught Sting to windsurf.
“It was really important to me that everyone who sees the film experiences the magic of the place through the people who lived there,” Greenwood says. “I knew we couldn’t make this film without their involvement.”
Air Studios run was short-lived, only operating from 1979 to 1989, but it’s fair to say that tiny island well and truly rocked! Enjoy a front-row seat to some of the world's greatest musical talents recalling their career-defining moments.
Under The Volcano is available to rent and own now on all main digital and TV platforms, including iTunes, Amazon, Google and YouTube. Find out more at underthevolvcanomovie.com, here.
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