I wasn't sure what to think when writer-director Graham Lee approached me for a spaghetti-western influenced score to his modern day noir feature, but once I caught on and got into it, I had some of the most fun I've ever had working on a film. It was hard work and a big job, but I got to bring so much of my energy and varied musical expertise to it and really make a mark on the film.
There are a few main elements to the score that go with different characters and themes. The album and film are bookended by a bit of light rock/orchestral melodrama to underscore the words of our star-crossed lovers, Danny and Cheryl. Right from the top, this establishes the arpeggiated minor chord that becomes a theme throughout the film.
When the Main Titles kick in, we quickly let you know that this movie is also going to rock! The Morricone influence on the score makes itself known here as we rock out with acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, ukelele, bass, melodica, drums, percussion and orchestration. As well as introducing instrumentation we're going to hear throughout the film, this establishes Danny's heroic theme which we'll hear a few times, notably in "Turning Points" and "Everybody Gets What's Coming to Them."
The third album track, "The Only Alternate Outcome" introduces the menacing character of Sean. We get some dark and aggressive orchestral sounds, more guitars and percussion, and the introduction of the suling, a Balinese bamboo flute, a Tibetan chime, singing bowls and Sean's piano theme. This is an intense introduction to Sean's sound which will come back and develop in "Reaper" and "Everybody Gets What's Coming to Them," but we also hear quieter, more haunting versions in "The Ring" and "Ring Revelation."
"Danny, Cheryl and Every Color" introduces a love them mixing folky and ethereal sounds, which will recur in "A Little Romance Gone Bad" and "Cheryl's Revelations."
"License and Registration, Please" introduces a sound and simple theme for the menace Nick, of our film's dirty cop, which will recur in "You're Going to Die, Danny" and whenever Nick is in action scenes, like in "Turning Points" and "Everybody Gets What's Coming to Them."
Thanks for reading. I hope you have at least half as much fun listening to this as I had making it!
Read more...