Dave Grohl Announces New Documentary Featuring 23-Minute Instrumental

Dave Grohl set upon challenging himself by composing and recording a 23-minute instrumental by himself. Grohl played all seven instruments on the track live. The recording process was filmed for a two part mini-documentary entitled Play that includes the track itself due on August 10.

The mini-documentary was directed by Grohl in collaboration with his Sound City/Sonic Highways partner Mark Monroe. Dave tapped Concrete & Gold engineer Darrell Thorp to record the 23-minute instrumental. Part one of the film documents Grohl’s love of music and the process and challenges that came with both recording and filming the project. Then, the second part features the resulting instrumental. Dave laid down each instrumental recording in one take, so if he messed up or felt he could do better he had to start over.

Read a statement from Dave Grohl about Play:

“Watching my kids start to play music and learn to sing or play drums, it brings me back to the time when I was their age listening to albums, learning from listening… and when I take my kids to the place where they take their lessons, I see these rooms full of children that are really pushing themselves to figure this out. And even now, as a 49-year-old man, I’m still trying to figure it out… it’s not something that you ever truly master. You’re always chasing the next challenge, and you’re always trying to find a way to improve on what you’ve learned.”

An online Play interactive experience will allow users to watch the mini-documentary as is or to focus on one particular instrument. Watch a teaser for Play below:

Play is available for pre-order here. Audio of the instrumental will be released on digital download and streaming platforms on August 10 via Roswell Records/RCA Records. A limited edition vinyl version is due September 28.