Cartel: Boys in a Plastic Bubble

In what is sure to be one of the more insane stunts in recent rock history, Epic recording artists Cartel are planning to seal themselves inside a huge transparent bubble on Hudson River Park’s Pier 54 in New York City, where they’ll eat, sleep and breathe while writing and recording a new album live for all the world to see. Presented by Dr Pepper, Band in a Bubble is a groundbreaking interactive multimedia event that will offer fans an unprecedented real-time look into the ups and downs of the creative process as Cartel shapes the highly anticipated follow-up to their breakthrough debut, Chroma.

Cartel (vocalist Will Pugh, guitarists Joseph Pepper and Nic Hudson, drummer Kevin Sanders and bassist Jeff Lett) will enter the bubble during a live MTV broadcast on May 24 and live there with no escape until the bubble “bursts” on June 12, when they will perform new material in a concert event on the pier.

"This is huge for us," says Cartel frontman Will Pugh. "Making an album is a very personal and emotional experience, and in the past we've never wanted anyone around when writing or recording. But given that this is probably the biggest opportunity we'll ever have to show the world what we're made of, we can't wait to invite the fans into both the studio and our lives."

Cartel will be working inside the bubble, a livable, state-of-the-art recording studio, with producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount, the same team behind the band’s Epic debut, Chroma.

"Cartel has always maintained a special relationship with their fans and this is an opportunity for the band to tear down that final barrier and literally allow their audience a window into the creative process. I admire their courage to do so,” said Doug McVehil, vice president, digital media marketing and promotion, Epic Records. "We're excited to team with such creative partners on what's sure to be a truly unique and memorable music experience."

Band in a Bubble presented by Dr Pepper, produced by Mediaedge Entertainment in association with True Entertainment (an Endemol company), will capture the drama and excitement of Cartel’s recording process in-person, on-air and online. Web cams will stream live on drpepperbubble.com and the event will air as a special reality series with four 30-minute episodes on MTV, which will also be available on-demand at MTV.com.

Throughout Cartel’s days in the bubble, MTV will capture the most interesting and outrageous moments in a reality show format, which will air during four 30-minute music specials on MTV and MTV2 in May and June. The first show will air at 11 p.m. EDT on May 24 as Cartel prepares for and enters the bubble. The final episode will highlight the band’s days in the bubble and culminate with coverage of the bubble “burst” concert. Footage from the bubble will also be available online at MTV.com, where viewers will be able to check out additional content and episodes on-demand.

Currently being constructed on Hudson River Park’s Pier 54 in New York City, the bubble is a 40-by-40 foot state-of-the-art recording studio equipped with everything Cartel needs to record their next album. Designed by international firm TPG Architecture, the 2,000-square-foot structure will consist of 55,000 pounds of steel truss and quarter-inch-thick fireproof rigid fiber glass. Three semi-circular steel arches will loop the bubble and act as light trusses to provide a glowing effect. While in the bubble, Cartel will have access to a custom kitchen and dining room, a casual lounge area and a spa-like bathroom as well as a “Sleeping Bubble,” or mezzanine level, which will be a giant pod elevated nine feet off the ground and hung in place with airplane hanger cables, that will house the band’s sleeping quarters.

The bubble will feature interactive web cams that will stream every moment live so fans can watch on drpepperbubble.com. These cameras will capture everything from the band members’ waking moments and creative differences to their jam sessions and appearances by special guests. Special two-way microphones built into the window of the bubble will provide opportunities for the public to speak to band members on a daily basis.