NCS and Universal Music Group have introduced that comedian-actor-musician Fred Armisen will host a brand new sequence that appears into Universal Music Group’s vaults — the world’s largest music archives — that includes unique grasp recordings, uncommon photographs and performances, various album artwork and music movies from Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses and lots of others. Produced by UMG’s movie and tv division Polygram Entertainment, Time Studios and Known Originals, the NCS Original Series will premiere later this yr as a part of NCS Originals’ anticipated 2026 programming slate.
The sequence was previewed at UMG’s “Music Is Universal” showcase throughout Grammy Weekend with a trailer that adopted the hosts deep into the large, climate-controlled vaults the place a lot of the archive is saved, deep inside the Iron Mountain facility in Boyers, Pennsylvania, situated 220 toes underground in a former limestone mine. The trailer, which is predicted to be launched within the coming weeks, exhibits archivists talking with awe at what they’re listening to on grasp tapes that haven’t been performed in many years.
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“I’m honored and I can’t wait to get started with this project,” Armisen stated on the occasion. “I want to move into that vault! I hope we get to dive in, deeper and deeper, into these recordings. And I also want to say that to Universal Music Group that whenever you put out boxed sets with the demos and everything on them, I buy all of it! For real, I buy the LPs and CDs, because I want both collections. I’m really honored, and thank you so much for having me — I can’t wait to get started.”
The sequence is a ardour venture for UMG EVP and chief administrative officer Will Tanous, who launched an analogous venture at Warner Music earlier than he joined UMG in 2013. After noting that he’s identified Armisen “for decades, starting back when he was the drummer in a punk band out of Chicago,” presumably referring to the group Trenchmouth. More severely, he continued, “This series was born from a desire to show fans what it’s like to mine the greatest underground musical archive in the world — giving them a sense of the hunt, the challenge, the thrill of this work – as well as direct access to the dedicated experts who preserve and champion these incredible musical legacies. Fred’s singular blend of humor, fandom, and musical talent make him the ideal storyteller to reveal the intimate era-defining moments and unheard gems that form the foundation of popular culture.”
“This series opens the doors to one of the most extraordinary music archives in the world, and Fred Armisen is the perfect guide,” stated Amy Entelis, government vice chairman of expertise, NCS Originals and inventive growth for NCS Worldwide. “His deep connection to music and natural sense of wonder allow viewers a chance to experience music history up close, discovering the unexpected stories behind some of the most iconic sounds ever created.”
Executive producers for the sequence are Fred Armisen; Will Tanous and David Blackman for UMG; Amy Entelis, Lyle Gamm and Katie Hinman for NCS Original Series; Jeff Smith for Time Studios; Doug Pray. The sequence is produced by Nicole Avant and Brad Roth; co-producers are Bruce Resnikoff and Madeline Post for UMG. Executive Producer Ted Skillman may even function present runner.
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