FEATURE:
Daisy Jones & The Six
PHOTO CREDIT: Pamela Littky
Why This Upcoming New Mini-Series is Timely and Hugely Inspiring to Me
_________
I have sort of bemoaned…
PHOTO CREDIT: Lacey Terrell/Prime Video
the lack of music-related T.V. shows and series. There are biopics in cinema but, when it comes to the small screen, we do not see many series that integrate music in a very big and meaningful way. That diegetic touch that is missing from the screen. Happily, Daisy Jones & The Six comes to Prime Video from 3rd March. That is actually the same day De La Soul release six of their studio albums to streaming and physical formats…but I digress. I am going to explain why the series is so important, timely and, to me, inspiring and encouraging. First, Esquire published a feature that explains more about Daisy Jones & The Six and its literary origins:
“For the uninitiated, Daisy Jones & The Six is an adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel of the same name. The story follows a fictional band, inspired by Fleetwood Mac, that was doomed from the start. Set in the '70s, the plot chronicles a tortured romance between the band’s two lead singers. Sound familiar? Here's everything you need to know about Daisy Jones & The Six.
What is Daisy Jones & The Six About?
Sex, drugs, and rock and roll, baby. Daisy Jones & The Six is narrated by the members of the band, years after they split up. Each character gives their version of events in a juicy tell-all interview—and their vivid retellings weave together a story of love and loss. According to the show's synopsis, the miniseries will follow the format of the book. “In 1997, Daisy Jones & The Six were on top of the world,” the synopsis reads. “The band had risen from obscurity to fame, and then, after a sold-out show at Chicago’s Soldier Field, they called it quits; now, decades later, the band members agree to reveal the truth.”
Who Stars in Daisy Jones & The Six?
Riley Keough, the daughter of the late Elvis and Lisa Marie Presley, stars as Daisy Jones. Sam Claflin plays her love interest Billy Dune. The rest of the cast includes Suki Waterhouse (Karen Sirko), Camila Morrone (Camila Dunne), Will Harrison (Graham Dunne), Sebastian Chacon (Warren Rhodes), Josh Whitehouse (Eddie Roundtree), Nabiyah Be (Simone Jackson), and Timothy Olyphant (Rod).
Does Daisy Jones & The Six Have Original Music?
Absolutely. In fact, the band’s first single, “Regret Me,” is available to stream right now. In the brooding track, Daisy and Billy belt the lyrics: "you regret me and I regret you/you couldn't handle your liquor and you can't seem to handle the truth." You may be wondering what, exactly, the truth is. Well, dear reader, you'll have to tune in and see.
How Can I Watch Daisyones & The Six?Daisy Jones & The Six will air in four parts. The series hits Amazon on March 3rd. Each week, the streamer will release a new episode until March 24. In the meantime? Rock on, people”.
There are the Fleetwood Mac comparisons hard to ignore. The show is described thus: “In 1977, Daisy Jones & The Six were on top of the world. Fronted by two heat seeking missiles in Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne, the band had risen from obscurity to fame. And then, after a sold-out show at Chicago's Soldier Field, they called it quits. Now, decades later, the band members finally agree to reveal the truth. This is the story of how an iconic band imploded at the height of its powers”. Fleetwood Mac released the seminal Rumours in 1977. The band were going through relationship break-ups and tensions. It was a fractious recording and time but, out of it, one of the greatest albums ever came about.
I have wondered why there has not been a Fleetwood Mac biopic set around the recording and release of Rumours. It is the one biopic that has not been done that would definitely be a success. Margot Robbie recently revealed that, if she had to play a musician on screen, then it would be Stevie Nicks. It is exciting to see what comes about from Daisy Jones & The Six. I am familiar with most of the cast, and I am a particularly big fan of actor and musician Suki Waterhouse. She is an amazing talent that I am excited to see in this series. I hope that, as the show comes out, it does spark a curiosity for more series like this. With a band and music very much at the heart, it will go to show how powerful, popular, and important it is. From what I have seen and read; it seems Daisy Jones & The Six will be fantastic. Let’s hope that it also compels discussion around a Fleetwood Mac biopic too. I think that whole era in American culture and music is fascinating. With such a strong cast, it is going to be a big success. It has also got me thinking about a project and film that I am working on that has been hard to get off the ground and engage.
IN THIS PHOTO: Fleetwood Mac circa 1977/PHOTO CREDIT: Mick Hutson/Getty Images
One of the main reasons is that it is hard to get a script or treatment to anyone or get it to that first step. Anyway, it is a music-based U.S.-set comedy that is taking place in the 1980s. It gives me encouragement that there is an appetite for a music-themed series that is set in the past. Even though Daisy Jones & The Six is more dramatic, it is something I am going to be watching closely for inspiration and guidance. I think that the series will be as big success and it will get a lot of great reviews. There has been a general absence of music shows and films – compared to other genres and themes -, so this is a very welcomed and timely release. I think that Daisy Jones & The Six will inspire similar ideas, or at least it will broaden the horizon a bit so that there are more dramas and comedy with artists and music at the core. Such a thrill to anticipate the forthcoming Daisy Jones & The Six, as it is going to be a remarkable series. With the background of the 1970s – and the comparisons to Fleetwood Mac and their relationships in the same year (1977) -, it will be fascinating seeing what comes. It is going to be…
ARRESTING viewing.