Music Supervisor for new television series from Friday Night Lights co-EP Liz Heldens. Featuring M.I.A., Charlotte Gainsbourg, Cat Power. (2012-2013)
Holy Shemp! Making Real Music for TV Bands on Castle
Andrew Marlowe, the top dog and creator of Castle, sent me the script with a brief note: "Call me." I could see why - the (brilliant) script centered around a band and the murder of their lead guitar player. In Castle tradition, we would need to make everything as authentic as possible, that meant creating songs that ABC could own that sounded like real songs, coaching actors to mime instruments convincingly to the songs and personify musician-ness, plus it all had to be done weeks ahead of time, for the shoot day instead of just within the editing bay. In short, there's really nothing that creates more work for music supervisors than bands on-screen ... but nothing more fun either!
I tapped Simon Petty, one of my favorite songwriters of all time (see: Minibar: Road Movies for just one example) who turned around the killer song that closes the episode, "Back Out On The Road Again", in an extremely short amount of time. Per the script, the song had to sound like a new direction for "Holy Shemp", the TV band, as well as feature bass prominently to go with the storyline, and additionally needed to allow for backing vocals that "Esposito" would chime in for the final scene. After delivering on all counts on the songwriting front, he teamed up with Los Angeles via New Zealand producer/songwriter Greg Johnson to record the song in Greg's Santa Monica studio and delivered it just in time to get final approvals and take to the set for the shoot! Simon accompanied me on shoot day to coach the musicians and we had fun being mini-TV moguls for the day. (Which really meant we tried to stay out of the way and do exactly what the director wanted at all times.)
The other song in the episode, "Lies", is rehearsed by the band when Castle and Beckett confront the lead singer, and it has a story all its own. This episode was written by Castle co-producer Rob Hanning. His son Noah is an extremely talented guitar player and while Rob was working on the episode he heard Noah composing a song that he quite liked ... you guessed it, Rob added some lyrics and that song ended up becoming "Lies" - a team effort!
So I think you can tell, a good time was had by all ... after 11pm west coast time, there will be links below for a (24 hour) free download of "Back Out On The Road Again" and a behind-the-scenes-interview with Jon Huertas (Esposito) in the recording studio with Simon & Greg! Meanwhile you can use the links below to follow this story to some good songs!
Free download of closing song "Back Out On The Road Again"
Simon Petty official site (for his latest project Solomon's Seal)
Behind The Scenes with Jon Huertas ("Esposito"), Simon, and Greg
Eight Quick Picks: DB+St.V, Grizzly Bear, Two Gallants, Field Report, Cat Power and more
Hi, I'm back from a maternity break - doubled the size of the family by adding twins! I still found plenty of time to listen to new music, mostly while feeding them. They're the most musically up-to-date newborns around! Here's eight quick picks on recent new releases to make up for my absence, go on, spend that back-to-school money at the record store!
David Byrne & St. Vincent - Love This Giant: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Wacky young songstress teams up with elder statesman of wackiness. Beautiful music ensues.
Field Report - Field Report: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Field Report - Is part of Bon Iver. Done.
Two Gallants - The Bloom and The Blight: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Until further notice you can assume this band and anyone thats part of this band is always on my 'must have' list.
Grizzly Bear - Shields: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Two words: Grizzly. Bear. You already love it.
Ryan Lerman - Pinstripes, The Sky: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Yummy singer-songwriter with intriguing production. Probably the first artist to cover Adele and Elliott Smith on the same album.
Rhett Miller - The Dreamer: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Totally unfair that he is utterly talented and utterly handsome.
Hungry Ghost - Hungry Ghost: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Former members of Unwound make a new sound that is a melange of Led Zeppelin, X, White Stripes, and Sleater-Kinney.
Cat Power - Sun: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Phenomenal return from an indie favorite.
Pick Of The Week: The Dig "Midnight Flowers"
This is The Dig's second album and if I would have blogged more in 2010, their debut would have received a recommend as well. The album is flawlessly produced and every song has some interesting texture to it, I love that. But I don't love it if the songwriting is not there to back it up, and The Dig does not disappoint in that category either. I'm going to say that they're like a mellower Yeah Yeah Yeahs, with a male vocalist. See if I'm right.
The Dig - Midnight Flowers: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
PS congratulations to me, as of the end of June we are halfway through the year and I have so far kept my New Years Resolution of posting a recommended album every week - you can count 'em, there are 26 recommendations posted!
Pick Of The Week: Everest
I think if a song can start off sounding like a Johnny Marr riff, segue into a grungy power pop Strokes vibe and then wind up sounding like the Doors, thats a great song. Such is "Rapture", the first track off Everest's new album Ownerless. And many more treats await you after that track. Most reviews of this record call them an 'alt-country' band but I think they owe a bigger debt to classic rockers like Neil Young. But if you don't care for awesome guitar lines, killer drums, great songwriting and heartfelt vocals, just keep moving.
Everest - Ownerless: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Pick Of The Week: Glen Hansard solo album
Spectacular Irish band The Frames, heart-stopping duo The Swell Season, and the hugely affecting movie Once have exactly one thing in common - Glen Hansard. He has an almost supernatural gift for live performance that is solidly backed up by first-rate songwriting credentials. A lot of Irishmen, Bono included, think Glen and his band The Frames are the best thing out of Ireland, since, you guessed it, U2. I think they might be the best thing out of any country since U2. This is Glen's first solo album, and it plays like a lost Van Morrison classic in tone and production but the songs are pure Glen - a storyteller on a quest to solve the ever-elusive mystery of true love. Lovers and seekers alike, this one is for you.
Glen Hansard - Rhythm And Repose: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
"Birds Fly Away" Closes The Big C Season Finale
Ah, another season concluded on The Big C. It went so fast, right? I was told fairly early on that the season would conclude with Cathy diving/escaping into the ocean, so I had some time to find the perfect song. I love this piece by Theresa Andersson, she always has unique and interesting arrangements on her music. This comes from her 2009 album "Hummingbird, Go!" but she also has an album that just came out this year, "Street Parade" so give that one a listen as well. She's very, very talented.
Theresa Andersson - "Birds Fly Away": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
This Big C episode is titled "Fly Away" and originally aired on June 17, 2012.
Pick Of The Week: Patti Smith "Banga"
I've listened to this album about eight times in a row now. I wanted to make sure I wasn't just being nostalgic, or 'old', or clinging to the past. But it's just a damn fine release from one of the greatest artists of all time. Unlike many of her peers, she remains interesting and vibrant even 30+ years into her career. Perhaps its partly because she sings about things that are older than rock itself - spirituality, children, historical events. Her style is completely unique and inimitable, she is truly the high priestess of rock. Long may she rule.
Patti Smith - Banga: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Adanowsky Soundtracks The Big C's Trip To Puerto Rico
You might be surprised to go to Adanowsky's twitter page and find out he has 90K followers, more than most artists that I've featured in The Big C! Yet it would not be surprising if you'd never heard of him, as he is just becoming known to U.S. audiences. I would tell you more about him, but his website is all in Spanish, so you're on your own there. All I know is his ballad "Dime Cuando" (translates to "Tell Me When") was perfect for the somber moment when Cathy is feeling lonely and wandering the streets of Puerto Rico. And I love his enitre album, so go ahead and invest if you're feeling it.
Adanowsky - "Dime Cuando": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Picks Of The Week: Thieving Irons and Simone Felice
Two easy recommends this week, both from artists I've been following for some time. Nate Martinez has always been the secret weapon super-guitarist of Pela, as well as touring with The National and Alexi Murdoch. When Pela broke up, he found his solo voice as Thieving Irons (definitely the silver lining to losing Pela). His voice is comforting like a warm blanket, the production is epic without being overwhelming and both lyrics and musical arrangements are first class. You can put this album on repeat for hours and not get bored.
Thieving Irons - Behold, This Dreamer: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
I'm going to caution you against reading Simone Felice's bio because it will likely make you feel a) lazy (he's been in four band projects counting this solo effort, was a major player on five albums plus numerous other album assists, and has five published writing credits including a novel) and/or b) dismayed to learn of his personal tragedies and medical mishaps. So let me sum it up for you: member of The Felice Brothers as well as The Duke and The King, uber-talented songwriter with the chops and style to back it up, first solo release, joing Mumford & Sons on tour right now, don't miss it.
Simone Felice - Simone Felice: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Picks Of The Week: Sigur Rós and Now, Now
I could just skip over this new release because a) you should already know about Sigur Rós, and b) the album is not significantly different than any of their other releases. But it's a truly wonderful listening experience and it feels like the right time for a gorgeous, dreamy, escapist album. Stuck at work on a summer afternoon? Put this album in your headphones and the afternoon will fly by. Feeling some road rage while stuck in traffic? This one will calm you down, Valtari is a blissful state of mind that can be achieved anywhere, even on a congested highway.
Sigur Rós - Valtari: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site ($5 right now at Amazon. Seriously.)
Although I hope most readers have heard of Sigur Rós, I have no such delusions about recommendation #2, the album Threads by Minneapolis trio Now, Now. Two girls on guitar (one also the vocalist), and a guy drummer already makes them unique. If you need a big name to convince you, they were signed by Chris Walla (guitarist for Death Cab For Cutie) to his label Trans Record. I love their breathy vocals and smart lyrics over quirky music that doesn't sound like everything else out there. They appear to be on tour right now, try to catch them.
Now, Now - Threads: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
The Big C 308 - We Rock Like Girls Don't
A quick shout out to the girl duo We Rock Like Girls Don't - their song "Hip To You" was featured in the opening scene of The Big C Episode 308 as Cathy drives recklessly on a winding mountain road with Dave & Maxine who are pregnant with a baby that Cathy plans to adopt. Well, as with most things Cathy, it doesn't end too well. It makes me slightly sad how angry Cathy is this season, but it brightens me up to be able to put all this good punky girl rock into The Big C!
We Rock Like Girls Don't - "Hip To You": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Big C Music for Season 3 (2012), Episodes 1-7
Have I mentioned how busy April was? The Big C Season 3 started airing April 8, right in the middle of pilot season and while we were completing post on season finales for Castle and The Big C, and I haven't even posted about all the great music we've used in the show. I'll catch you up on Episodes 1-7 here.
Episode 1, "Thin Ice", first aired April 8, 2012
Heard at the very beginning and the very end of the episode, this version of Bowie's "Changes" might not be quite as stellar as the original, but the slower tempo worked very well with the scene of Cathy underwater in the pool at the end of the episode. Shawn Mullins - "Changes": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Episode 2, "What's Your Story", first aired April 15, 2012
I adore this band Making Friendz (a side project from Tami Hart of Men) and was so happy to use their song as a backdrop for the tattoo parlour when Cathy gets her big C tattoo! Making Friendz - "Yr Shadow": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Episode 3, "Bundle Of Joy", first aired April 22, 2012
At the top of the show, we wanted some punky girl music and I was pleased to offer up a real Minneapolis band (where our show was set). I adored this band in the 90's when they had their brush with fame. Zuzu’s Petals - "Do Not": Amazon :: iTunes
Then we had a killer live performance from a legitimately Christian band (we try to keep it authentic on The Big C!) at the church that Jessie attends. These guys are phenomenal. The Wrecking - "View From The Top": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Lastly, we needed a 70's groove for Susan Sarandon's character, Joy, to dance to and get her followers moving. This song was a particular favorite of Jenny Bicks, the executive producer, so it was great to be able to get it! Peaches & Herb - "Shake Your Groove Thing": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Episode 4, "Family Matters", first aired April 29, 2012
I'll try to refrain from commenting on Jessie's bizarre logic about what makes a virgin in this episode, but I do love this song that we chose to have playing in the car when she and Adam are making out. If you like Band Of Horses, or any other moody indie bands, you'll dig Thieving Irons. Thieving Irons - "Below The Avenues": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Episode 6, "Life Rights", first aired May 13, 2012
Another Christian band heard while Jessie and Adam are entertaining themselves in a bedroom at Sean's house ... These Hearts - "Romans 15": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
And another of my favorite female artists, Ida Maria, had the perfect song for the scene where Cathy takes out her frustrations on the wall of the soon-to-be nursery. Ida Maria - "Oh My God": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Episode 7, "How Bazaar", First aired May 20, 2012
This Los Angeles band is so far a leisurely studio side project of Ferraby Lionheart with producer/musician Dan Long. No release plans yet, sorry! The song had the perfect amount of angst to show Cathy's anger when she finds out the truth about Dave and Maxine. The Left Hands - "Run With A Knife": Ferraby Lionheart Site
Picks Of The Week: Admiral Fallow and Lightships
It's bold to start your album with the sound of a someone agitating a speaker cord, then lead into a six minute down-tempo duet. But I guess when you have that adorable Scottish accent, you can get away with it. The second song picks up tempo quite a bit, and might remind you of their countrymen Frightened Rabbit ("Swim, until you can't see land ...). I don't think you'll be disappointed if you stick with the album - epic indie rock along the lines of early Snow Patrol. I'm completely hooked.
Admiral Fallow - Tree Bursts In Snow: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
It's honestly a coincidence that my second pick this week is also from Scotland. Gerard Love is the vocalist, songwriter, and bass player for my long time faves Teenage Fanclub. He's made a gorgeous album under the name Lightships, inviting some of his favorite players from other bands and taking a slightly more freewheeling approach to the music, while still exhibiting his gifts for melody and arrangement. This album is so inviting that I was very nearly distracted from finishing this post while listening to it! So proceed with caution, but if you want to leave planet Earth for awhile, this is for you.
Lightships - Electric Cables: Amazon :: iTunes :: Teenage Fanclub Official Site
Picks Of The Week: Beach House and The Wave Pictures
Welcome back to me! I've been missing from this blog for one month. I worked on two super awesome pilots, both of which you will likely see on NBC in early 2013, and two incredible season finales for Castle and The Big C. Always lots of pressure for great music in those season finales! Then I did take a couple weeks to decompress. Now I'm back, and promise you 'two-fers' for the next four weeks to make up for my absence and because I have so much good music stockpiled here to tell you about!
Beach House just released their fourth album, titled "Bloom". This band from Baltimore has been bubbling under for some time, by which I mean that very few people knew about them for the last few albums, but those people told enough friends, who told their friends and now suddenly everybody is a fan for this new album. That's just how it works sometimes. It's a very worthy album for their breakout - slightly darker than their first few (you know I like that.) Beautiful, dreamy, lush, but still indie and interesting. And as a bonus, you can get it on Amazon right now for only $5! I mean, just skip the morning latte and get this album instead, it will last far longer.
Beach House - Bloom: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
For my second pick, I've been pretty intrigued with this album by The Wave Pictures for the last few weeks. It's a melange of many influences that I love, all mashed together into a fun and intriguing new sound. On any given track you might think "Belle & Sebastian", or "early Elvis Costello", "Art Brut", "Vampire Weekend" or even "Marc Almond from Soft Cell". I don't mind obvious influences when they are so varied and plentiful! The Wave Pictures write angular, clever, upbeat songs about strange characters living dark lives, and it's just refreshing and a whole lot of fun.
The Wave Pictures - Long Black Cars: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Picks Of The Week: The 88 & Avalanche City
Super quick double recommend this week to make up for last week - April is a very busy time in TV land! Now in case you haven't noticed, I'm fond of albums. Singles & EPs I have no love for. They're at best too short to get an idea what a band is all about and at worst just an early release of something you're going to get later on an album anyway, and rarely worth it. So these two releases already had a hurdle to overcome with me but I've had to make exceptions to my album-only policy!
First off, a band I've loved forever, The 88, has made a new EP that took my breath away even considering my high expectations of them. It takes an incredible amount of determination, perseverance, and talent to just stay together and survive as a band for 10 years in LA, let alone stay at the top of their creative game and do it without major label assistance. A standing ovation please for The 88! This EP has five solid tunes on it, I am particularly fond of "Do You Love Me" which has been known to be played on repeat in this house several times in a row.
The 88 - Actors EP: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Secondly, I came across a video so charming (and I generally have little use for music videos) and a song so sweet that I was immediately hooked. Dave Baxter is the 'epicentre' (according to his website) of Avalanche City out of New Zealand. The debut album is available as an import, but a four song EP just came out in the U.S. digitally and I'm sure the album won't be far behind. So, so, so, so GOOD! It's impossible to feel sad while listening to this song or watching the video so keep it handy for those times when you feel blue.
Avalanche City - Love Love Love EP: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site (Watch the video here!)
Pick Of The Week: The Shins "Port Of Morrow"
Dear James Mercer, you really are a terrible boyfriend. You've spent five years away from the Shins, philandering openly with Dangermouse on the Broken Bells project, which although lovely didn't quite utilize your songwriting talents, did it? And now you bring us a new album and I suppose you'd like to be back in our affections as though nothing had changed. Well, we'll just see about that. Listen #1: We admit "For A Fool" is properly apologetic. And it is nice to hear your voice again. But we'll remain strong. Five years away, after all! Perhaps one more listen just to make sure. Listen #2: "It's Only Life" is very comforting. How is this album lush, yet also stripped down? Inventive yet classic. And oh, how we've missed your clever lyrics! We must get a grip! We're just being nostalgic. One more time, we'll keep our heads straight this time. Listen #3: We're melted. All is forgiven. Welcome back.
The Shins - Port Of Morrow: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Pick Of The Week: Delta Spirit
Yes, this recommend is a few days behind schedule. But I did not receive this album until today so it all worked out for the best! I'm already a big Delta Spirit fan, so I'm not sure why it was not on my doorstep the day of release, but I'm just happy I have it now. This will be in constant rotation as I'm now an even bigger fan - they flesh out their strengths of classic, timeless rock on this new release. And while I am truly sorry that lead singer Matt Vasquez has apparently been suffering some heartbreak I must say it makes for some stellar new songs. His voice is unmistakable and his unaffected delivery very compelling - the production (by Chris Coady, who has worked with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio, Beach House and the Smith Westerns) is excellent, lots of cool layering and breakdowns. Plus, they have a very sharp website and all kinds of free downloads on there, so do visit. If you like a good live show, they're crossing the United States on a three month tour right now, go see it!
Delta Spirit - Delta Spirit: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Pick Of The Week: She Keeps Bees "Dig On"
I liked this record when it came out last year but as time has passed I have become slightly obsessed with it so it's definitely due for a mention. Just imagine if The Black Keys were fronted by a woman, or if Cat Power became a power rocker. You'd like that, right? It's only $9 on Amazon, what are you waiting for?
She Keeps Bees - Dig On: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site
Pick Of The Week: Yellow Ostrich
Singer-guitarist Alex Schaaf takes his work into expanded territory on Yellow Ostrich's second album, Strange Land. His first album was a bedroom project but now with a complete band there's new instrumentation and a much bigger sound that comes from touring everywhere in the last year. Its still quirky, lovable, dynamic, fresh-sounding, and well worth a listen and a 'buy'. But you probably knew that from looking at the artwork!
Yellow Ostrich - Strange Land: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site