The digital era is moving beyond music to well-produced and compelling video. How apt will consumers be to pay for exclusive live material? How quickly will they show up on YouTube?

Producer Nigel Godrich, most famous for his work with Radiohead and Beck, has created a music performance series titled From The Basement. Each episode will have live performances from the Maida Vale studios with sound by Godrich. Videos will be available only at two sites: the From The Basement website (through a 7digital.com store, which will offer Windows Media Video files) and iTunes.

The first episode of From The Basement will air (transmit?) today. In it, Thom Yorke will preview two songs, "Videotape" and "Down Is The New Up," from the new Radiohead album. There are three performances by The White Stripes and one from Four Tet's Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid. In total, there are six downloads that can be purchased individually (for £1.89 each, which is $3.69) or in the show's entirity (for £9.48 or $18.53). Stills and a trailer can be seen at the show's MySpace page. The second show will be available in February 2007 and will feature Beck and Jamie Lidell.

The Guardian has an article on the series and comments from Godrich.