One Hundred Cues For A Thousand Screams
Friday is fun, because it's about music. And playlists. Today, Horror movie soundtracks. My favourite. More on that. And a special gig for you to go too.
I feel like the two most constant mentions here at “Sounds Good!” – over the last two years – have been horror (films mostly, but books and writing as well). And soundtracks. And, of course it best crystalises for me in the form of horror soundtracks. I have been watching a lot of horror films all through my life and maybe particularly across the last three-four years…but I’ve been listening to horror soundtracks far more intensely (and intently). I’ve always been big into soundtracks, and I’ve taken many opportunities to write about that – and there’ll be many more. It’s just a thing I’ve got right into. But within the world of soundtrack-listening (and collecting) horror is the genre that really holds the special place in my heart.
Even a bad horror film might contain wonderful music. In fact – there are many examples of bad films in horror, where I’ve sat and watched them just to hear the music in its rightful context. (Last night I watched C.H.U.D. just because I love the score). There are also dozens of films I’ll likely never bother to watch or can’t access, but the music is a big part of my world.
I recently sat through the 1977 stinker, Exorcist II: The Heretic, partly because I needed to know how bad it was. (It’s awful!) But mostly because the score was created by Ennio Morricone. And I had already heard it many times – easily the highlight of the film. I had been listening to it for a few years on YouTube, and last Christmas I was bought a copy of the soundtrack on vinyl.
So, why am I talking about horror scores here again?
Well, I wanted to give you a heads up about an event in Wellington that I’m very sad to be missing. Night of A Thousand Screams takes place at Valhalla next Thursday, September 21. Doors open at 8pm. And it’s just $5 cover.
It is the brainchild of horror writer and DJ, Denver Grenell, aka DJ Beware. It’s a night of horror movie soundtracks – with background visuals. Both DJ Beware and DJ BadMilkBloodRobot will be spinning the tunes. All vinyl. All horror. All night.
You’re going to get to hear John Carpenter of course. And Goblin. And Ennio Morricone. And so much more.
I think I’m right in saying that if I was in Wellington next Thursday I’d not only be there, but I’d also be on the stage playing some of the tunes. And that’s not just me being a creepy stalker-type, or someone aspirationally willing to rush the stage. I was in talks with Denver a year or so ago about this. We had been mulling this one over together at some point, and then, unfortunately the only date available was when I was out of the country. So, I said, go for it. My fingers are crossed it will be the first of many, and maybe late this year or into next year I’ll be able to join the party.
But I reckon you should go!
Horror movie soundtracks are my main fuel these days. I wake up and play them. I fall asleep listening to them. I have a YouTube playlist with nearly 200 albums (all horror scores) that is my main “work music” – my mobile/portable stereo. Some of the albums in there don’t work so great for working. (Do not listen to the soundscape for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre when editing your document, for instance). But some albums in there are truly beautiful, inspirational, hypnotic.
And I have some absolute favourites – including some truly trashy films that have some beautiful scores. A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 for example. Say what you want about this sequel (and I’m a fan) but its music by Christopher Young is wonderful. Young would also power the first couple of Hellraiser movies with his sublime music. And the thriller, Copycat. And many others.
I have become so obsessed with particular composers due to their work on horror films. Some of music’s true greats have dipped a toe in the water of horror – not only Morricone, but also Phillip Glass. (His Candyman score is a gem). There are modern composers working in the genre who generally do not disappoint (Tyler Bates, Marco Beltrami, Brian Tyler). And there are the G.O.A.T.s – Jerry Goldsmith, Howard Shore, Carpenter, John Williams. So many others…
One trope I really like within horror scores is the piano/music-box intro. That false sense of security, the lullaby music that gently eases you in. Divorced from the images, this music is just lovely. Serene. Calming. It’s there most overtly in Rosemary’s Baby or the start of A Nightmare on Elm Street or Carrie or of course, via the appropriation of Tubular Bells for the only movie called Exorcist that is actually good and worth your time. It’s there through the original Candyman score. And so many others.
And I can just imagine that with an evening of horror scores being DJ’d – those soft piano/music-box vibes will be a lovely way to kick things off, before the waves of intensity build.
So, I’m gutted to not be there for this event. But I wanted to mention it. And I hope some of you can make it. It would be so cool to think this could be a regular gig.
And if you’re on the fence, or have never contemplated listening to much in the way of horror scores, I know I’ve written about a few favourites before. But I thought I could give a couple of recommendations. And I’ve made a playlist too. So, firstly, this book is a must-read. I’m still going back through it and finding gems to listen to (and films to watch). I also want to recommend the score to Knock At The Cabin – which I reviewed here a few months ago.
Herdís Stefánsdóttir is fast becoming one of my favourite new composers, by the way.
I recognise that I sound like one of the crazy-converts, one of the walking loonies – pushing this agenda. I’m comfortable with that, by the way. We all have our areas. Our strange little focusses. But I thought that I could maybe convince anyone that hadn’t thought to listen to horror music outside and away from the experience when watching the film. So I have made this giant, bumper playlist. It’s got some of my favourite cues and themes – and some of the big, obvious stuff (Omen, Jaws, Exorcist) as well as plenty of lesser-known films, or lesser known cues from within the scores of big films.
It's a big-serve playlist. Four hours, with 100 pieces of music. Some are just 30-second cues, others are five/six minutes in length. But put it on. Shuffle it if that’s your thing (though I did take some care to arrange it for maximum mood-setting and appropriateness for work). Or just dip your toe in the waters maybe…plunge in anywhere near the middle of the playlist and see what happens.
And if you do make it to the gig next Thursday, please tell me about it. I hope there’s a chance for this kind of thing to happen again.
I’ve probably asked this before, but what’s your all-time favourite horror score? And any must-listen recommendations for work or relaxing or driving, or any of the times when music best helps us?
Well, it’s Friday, and I just forced you to read a whole lot about horror music – if you’re still here. And maybe you wanted more from your Friday newsletter than just that. So, as an act of contrition, I leave you with the regular playlist too!
This is Vol. 133 of A Little Something For The Weekend…Sounds Good! No real overriding theme here. Just (hopefully) some good music.
Have a great Friday. And a fabulous weekend.
