New Documentary “The Hidden Tracks” Brings Together Cycling, Endurance and Grassroots Music - out August 25th

Filmmaker bike packs around the UK discovering grassroots music communities 

Shot over the course of 10 days, The Hidden Tracks follows filmmaker Anna Reed on her journey cycling 482 miles around the UK, discovering more about each country’s grassroots music scenes and what it takes to keep them alive.

The documentary blends real-time coverage of the journey with interviews and music performances that were recorded along the way. Requiring remarkable endurance to create, the struggles and frustrations faced by Reed during the 10 days of bikepacking are reflected in those faced by the grassroots music communities themselves.

“It was by far one of the hardest things I’ve done,” said Reed. “The mental and physical barriers I had to push through were huge, but grassroots musicians are facing huge challenges themselves. The people I met along the way, including the bands, got me through it and much needed support from people is what will keep these scenes going too.”

Aside from the physical challenge, the film also presented challenges when it came to filming the musicians, with Reed opting for remote outdoor locations, towing all her recording equipment with her on a 25kg trailer. This allows the documentary to showcase live music in breathtaking locations like the forestry of Scotland, mountains of Northern Ireland and beaches of Wales and England.

The featured musicians and locations are:

Bratakus - Galloway Forest, Scotland

Catachán - Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland

Masha Jana - Newborough Beach, Wales

Tits Up - Formby Beach, England

The Hidden Tracks was produced by Ride or D.I. and supported by Audix, Trimble Group, DEVA and Paria. It was also in support of Leeds Mind, doubling as a fundraiser challenge for the charity. 

The film will have its theatrical premiere on August 23 ahead of its release on Youtube on August 25.