By Lividity on July 20th, 2010 at 4:51 pm | 1 Comment »
Jace Everett & Gary Calamar PC: KCRW
We all know and love Jace Everett’s “Bad Things” and sing along with it during True Blood’s opening. Well, some of us do anyway. But did you ever wonder how that song became the True Blood anthem? Gary Calamar, the musical supervisor of the show (and KCRW DJ) explains how it all happened below. Oh, and BTW, Jace Everett is performing at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday, July 22nd, so go check him out if you’re in the area.
“Jace Everett wrote and recorded THE PERFECT song for the opening theme for True Blood, although we didn’t realize it at first.
Alan Ball, the creator of the HBO show “True Blood,” told me a little bit about his writing habits. He said he will work on a script for a while and when he needs a break he’ll take a little trip to iTunes do some exploring and $99.00 later will get back to his script.
It was on one of these excursions that Alan found Jace Everett’s “Bad Things” for his then new seriesTrue Blood. We all thought it was super-cool but wasn’t sure it was “the one.” Second guessing is second nature for me. So, I as music supervisor of the show, went on a search for some other options, and found some bloody fantastic songs. We listened, we grooved, we dug, but in the back of our minds we were all still humming Jace’s “I Wanna Do Bad Things With You.”
Soon it became very clear that Jace’s song was ‘the song.” It’s perfect. A devilish blend of sex, menace, romance and humor…and it kicks ass. In a way i think it helped Alan and the writers find the unique tone for our show. I think “Bad Things” will go down in television history as one of the best tv theme songs…right up there with Green Acres and Mr. Ed.
By NotHoney on July 20th, 2010 at 6:48 am | No Comments »
Last week Nathan Barr and Lisbeth Scott performed music from True Blood at the International Film Music Festival Ciudad de Úbeda. Here’s a fan-made video of Lisbeth Scott singing “Take Me Home,” the song played in season one as Sookie eats the last pie made by her Gran.
By NotHoney on July 14th, 2010 at 7:14 am | 2 Comments »
I love the music on True Blood. It’s such a part of the show that it’s another character, doncha think? So, APM Music put together a series of podcasts by Gary Calamar, Music Supervisor; Nathan Barr, Composer; and Jace Everett, who wrote the show’s title theme to get us deeper into the music, how it’s composed, and how it’s chosen. Here are the captions for the various podcasts:
Ann Donahue, Senior Editor at Billboard, interviews Gary Calamar about his role as Music Supervisor for HBO’s True Blood.
SHOW NOTES:
0:03 – Intro – Ann Donahue, Senior Editor at Billboard, interviews Gary Calamar.
1:35 – Gary Calamar on how he got the True Blood job.
3:08 – Gary Calamar on the difference between Six Feet Under and True Blood.
3:58 – Gary Calamar on the Southern influences of True Blood and its impact on the music.
5:13 – Gary Calamar on how True Blood has changed his approach to other work.
6:09 – Gary Calamar on Alan Ball as a songwriter.
4:49 – Gary Calamar on the end credits music of True Blood.
9:11 – End
Ann Donahue, Senior Editor at Billboard, interviews Nathan Barr about composing for HBO’s True Blood.
SHOW NOTES:
0:03 – Intro – Ann Donahue, Senior Editor at Billboard, interviews Nathan Barr.
1:25 – Nathan Barr on how he got involved with True Blood.
2:00 – Nathan Barr on how he won the job for True Blood.
2:25 – Nathan Barr on his inspirations for the music in True Blood.
3:13 – Nathan Barr on how he composes the music for True Blood and the benefits of playing his own instruments.
3:50 – Nathan Barr on the recurring sonic themes in True Blood.
4:49 – Nathan Barr on the unique instruments he uses.
5:50 – Nathan Barr on his collaboration with Lisbeth Scott.
6:35 – Nathan Barr on what else he’s working on.
7:46 – End
Ann Donahue, Senior Editor at Billboard, interviews Jace Everett on HBO’s True Blood theme song.
SHOW NOTES:
0:03 – Intro – Ann Donahue, Senior Editor at Billboard, interviews Jace Everett.
1:05 – Jace Everett on how he got involved with True Blood.
1:55 – Jace Everett on how he found out that Alan Ball had chosen his song.
2:29 – Jace Everett on the excitement of hearing the news and what it meant to his career at the time.
3:16 – Jace Everett on how the True Blood inspired his new album
4:00 – Jace Everett on the inspiration of “Bad Things.”
4:54 – Jace Everett on his current tour.
5:12 – Jace Everett on the fan reaction he has received.
6:14 – End
By Lividity on June 3rd, 2010 at 12:49 pm | 4 Comments »
Jace Everett, the writer & performer of True Blood’s intro, might have become famous because of “Bad Things” but he’d rather stay home and read Kierkegaard than go to a wild party (especially a frat party). He has a new album called Red Revelations which came out in March. The Celebrity Cafe posted an interview with Jace this morning. Here’s an excerpt:
TCC: The intro to True Blood — pretty intense! The imagery and your music make for a powerful ride. Are you a fan of the show?
JE: I am a fan. I thought the intro was awesome: it was ridiculous and sexy and fun. I liked it.
TCC: Since I saw in your Twitter bio that you’re annoyed at being “the True Blood guy,” I promise that’ll be my only question about the show.
JE: (laughing) Nah, I don’t mind at all being that. I was just being a prick.
TCC: Are you enjoying your growing celebrity status?
JE: Uh, sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, the fans are wonderful. Now, every once in a while you get one that’s a pain in the ass, but that’s how it is in anything you do. Overall, I’m extremely grateful.
TCC: I read that you’re trying to incorporate intelligence, power, energy, spirituality, sex, all into your music?
JE: I grew up profoundly, profoundly religious…Evangelical, in the diamond buckle of the Bible belt in Texas. I guess I’ve always been attracted to things older than me (although as I get older, those things are becoming fewer).
You know, I don’t like bullshit, I don’t like wild parties. To me, I’d rather stay home and read Kierkegaard than go to a frat party. That’s more fun.
By NotHoney on May 31st, 2010 at 6:01 pm | 7 Comments »
Jace Everett
Jace Everett was here in the Nation’s Capital for a show at Iota (which I did not know about and have kicked myself black and blue) and stopped by Fox Morning news for a live performance.
“… Jace Everett has been compared to artists ranging from Roy Orbison to Marvin Gaye. But even with props like that, it took a surprise hit TV show to really light a fire under fans. … His song “Bad Things” is the theme to HBO’s “True Blood” series. His music is a perfect match to the steamy series which revolves around the conflicts, and romances, between humans and vampires.”
By CitizenErased on May 26th, 2010 at 5:08 am | 7 Comments »
True Blood is known for its eclectic, kiss ass soundtracks, and extreme show nerds know that every episode is named after a song. Rolling Stone reports that for Season 3, artists have been asked to contribute brand new tracks, including a collaboration between Lucinda Williams (whose song “Lake Charles” was in Season 1, fact fans) and Brit New Wave legend Elvis Costello, called “Kiss Like Your Kiss”. “It’s a love song, but it has an atmospheric, moody quality to it,” says Williams of the tune.
Man, they really need to release some more S3 pictures, this is getting repetitive ain't it?
The show’s music supervisor Gary Calamar worked closely with Lucinda to shape the song and suggested she collaborate again with Elvis as well the show’s in-house composer Nathan Barr, who added cello melodies. Barr believes the final version fits in well with the dark mood of the show. “Cello is central to the scores that I write,” he says. “If there’s not some cello or heavy guitar, it won’t sound like True Blood.”
The show hasn’t wrapped yet, and so its not known where the song will be used. But Lucinda hopes it will be featured in a racier scene to match the tune’s sultry vibe. “I want it to be a totally hot, steamy, lustful scene between Sookie and Bill,” she says. “That would be perfect — Bill comes back, and they have torrid sex. Yes!” Mmm, nice idea. Other artists appearing on the soundtrack include Beck (awesome), Eels, Bob Dylan again, and Robbie Robertson.
By latbfan on May 20th, 2010 at 11:05 am | 5 Comments »
True Blood Season 2 Soundtrack
True Blood Season 2 soundtrack doesn’t hit the shelves (or iTunes) for another five days, but don’t let that stop you!
Entertainment Weekly is offering an exclusive stream of the entire album to tide over eager fan(g)s. Click here to listen to new songs from Beck, Lucinda Williams, and Elvis Costello.
Other songs on the soundtrack include “Evil (Is Going On)” by Jace Everett, “New World in My View” by King Britt and Sister Gertrude Morgan, and my personal favorite, Bob Dylan’s evocative ”Beyond Here Lies Nothin’” (used not only as the title for the Season 2 finale but also the wonderful promos).
According to Barnes & Noble, this is the tracklist that will include Season 2 CD. We were hoping to see Stephen Moyer’s “Hard hearted Hannah” in, but according to this tracklist looks like this isn’t going to happen. We post the video for a little revival pleasure.
Tracklist (according to Barnes and Noble)
1. Howlin’ For My Baby – M. Ward
2. Evil (is Going On) – Jace Everett/C.C. Adcock
3. Bad Blood – Beck
4. How To Become Clairvoyant – Robbie Robertson
5. Shake and Fingerpop – Junior Walker & the All-Stars
6. Frenzy – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
7. Kiss Like Your Kiss – Lucinda Williams/Elvis Costello
8. Gasoline and Matches – Buddy & Julie Miller
9. You Did (Bomp Shooby Dooby Bomp) – Chuck Prophet
10. You’re Gonna Miss Me – 13th Floor Elevators
11. Fresh Blood – Eels
12. Forgotten People, The – Thievery Corporation
13. New World In My View – King Britt/Sister Gertrude Morgan
14. Beyond Here Lies Nothin’ – Bob Dylan
By Aemac on May 5th, 2010 at 5:59 pm | 7 Comments »
Remember when you first got your drivers license and there was nothing better then bee-bopping down the road with your favourite tunes playing? Well, Anna Paquin is finally enjoying the pleasure. Here’s a list of Anna’s new favourites to drive to. You can find them after the jump.
I feel kind of stupid saying that music inspires me,” says Anna Paquin, during her morning commute to the set of True Blood “I love music, but when I try to narrow it down, to describe it, I feel dumb.” The 27-year-old Oscar winner recently acquired a new outlook on the power of the playlist. “I just learned to drive, and I’ve discovered the pleasure of good driving music,” she says, “especially now that I’m confident enough to have noise around me when I’m behind the wheel.” Fully immersed in True Blood’s third season, Anna admits that she has been too busy to search out new songs, so it’s helpful that Stephen Moyer—her real-life fiancé and love interest on the show—came into her life with a large music library. “A lot of the music I listen to comes from him,” she admits. “I think he has half of iTunes on his computer.”
