Trio breathe new life into underground music scene

Lewisham trio Bad Milk Pic: Catherine Davies

Lewisham trio Bad Milk Pic: Catherine Davies

South East London trio Bad Milk are currently filming an eight-part web series, Bad Milk@ the New Cross Inn.

Inspired by classic TV youth culture programmes The Tube, The Word and TFI Friday, the show is a platform for up and coming hip-hop and indie rock artists. Creator and director Robert Hutchinson, says: “Bad Milk is a brand that’s unpredictable. You don’t get that any more. Bad Milk needs to bring that back.”

Co-producer Anthony Oseyemi, former host of South African TV series Survivor, says: “We know artists that are in the forefront but the idea of having them on the series defeats the purpose. The idea is to promote non-established acts.”

Hutchinson says of the stars: “…they promote what they do, showcase what they’ve got and it’s a bridge to where they’re going.”

“If you want to act, sing or direct, there’s no process anymore. If you can get enough social media views, you’re there,” Oseyemi says.

Speaking of the local venue playing host to the series, Laverne Noel, project co-ordinator says: “These guys used to frequent the New Cross Inn when they were younger. It’s a brilliant venue, we know the staff and they’ve been incredibly supportive.”

The trio, who met at Lewisham Youth Theatre, have worked together for 20 years on artistic projects.

North London reggae-rock four-piece, Mangoseed, participated in the series. Frontman Nicholai La Barrie says: “I like how it’s about the artists. There’s no real live music scene on TV anymore, so a YouTube show is a novel idea to show the grassroots underground scene for what it is.”

Four new, short episodes are hitting YouTube soon. For more information, visit @BadderMilk or watch here

By Catherine Davies and Peter Littlejohns