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TOL Theme Music: We're All Ears
You may have noticed this week that we haven't settled on theme music for Think Out Loud. Well, maybe you didn't notice ? maybe this is the kind of thing that only obsessed producers notice, or even care about. But for those of you who did notice, there's a reason. We want to take our time to figure out the right sound for the show, before we settle on something. It's part of our "beta mode" ethic ? we're still creating this show, still evolving. So we're putting it out there for awhile, with our non-theme theme.
I have strong ideas about music, and so does our online host David Miller. Fortunately, we have many of the same ideas. Believe me, that's a rarity. And a good thing. Some of the most heated battles I've seen in public radio have been over music. (Producers ? we're a strange breed).
Musical taste is so subjective. But when you hear that 30 seconds of music that's just right, it's right. You've probably heard break music on the radio over the years that caught your ear ? a show theme or a moment that really spoke to you, or helped you ponder something you just heard, or that helped get you in the right mood for the show you were about to hear. That's what we're looking for. And remember, it has to speak to you again and again and again.
Here are qualities for a theme that David and I agreed on pretty quickly: the theme music needs to have a strong beat. It needs to be upbeat but not so perky that it sounds jarring on a day when the news is more somber. It needs to establish a theme quickly (in about ten seconds; five even better) ? what the pros in the music industry would call a "hook," even though that term makes me queasy.
Once we established those as important "basics," David and I sat down and listened to a host of different possibilities, offered primarily by our all-around wizard of sound, engineer Steven Kray. You've been hearing some of them in our first week. In case you missed them, you can check out a few 30-second samples here our lawyers suggest that you search on your favorite music site for:
- "Fais Do-Do" by Lefties Soul Connection
- "Pearl High" by The Bar-Kays
- "Slim Jenkin's Place" by Booker T and the MG's
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I like Fais Do-Do...but something a little "younger" would be nice.
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Of these, "Slim Jenkin's Place" is the clear winner! No one, not even other stax bands with similar members can touch Booker T and the MG's. I tend to agree with patrold though, something local is the way to go.
Will -
I think you should invite local bands to submit their ideas, and then have a show devoted to the topic. Have the top 4-6 bands come into the studio, play their work, talk about what the Oregon music scene is like, and then let TOL fans vote for their favorite sound. I think the theme should change fairly regularly, and maybe this could become a yearly show.
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I don't think it needs to be a band. Pick the composition first and then get a band to play it. Or it could be entirely synthesized. One composer w/ a Mac or PC can do amazing stuff, esp. if they are good on keyboard.
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Personally, I think that is should be local performers and original work. While I have no problem with an artist who uses a synthesizer, I would hate to think that we would be limited to that. I still say, open it up to the great Portland music scene, and see what they bring us!!!
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I don't care for the 'Fais Do-Do' for a theme. I really like the tune, but everytime I hear it it is jarring for a lead in. Maybe you just crank it a bit too much. I feel like it is hard to listen to the lead-in of the host over it. I really don't think it meets the criteria you set up above of not being jarring.
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Of the three I think "Fais Do-Do" is the only one that has a catchy up-front hook that works well for theme music. In fact, until I read this piece I thought it was your theme and that you, for some odd reason, chose not to play it every day.
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Thanks for enlisting the listeners in deciding your theme music. I have to agree with those who are adamant about the music being from a local band/musician/composer. If you truly want to underscore the local aspect of this show, you really should reflect that in the choice of the music. I must also say that I have truly negative reaction to the Fais Do-Do theme. Here are some local suggestions: "Sporjourn" by Audiokinetic, "B & G's" by Three Leg Torso, "El Cedar y El Mar" by Pete Krebs, all three songs can be found on their myspace sites. Thanks for listening.
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I think of this thread often when I hear the show. It's obviously really hard to come up with a single piece of theme music that works for the upbeat general discussions and the more personal discussions with, say, parents of children with autism. How do other NPR shows deal with this? Simple melodic themes seems to rule the day here. Most of the intros that come to mind don't have a ton of emotion in them. Maybe that's why they work.
One thought (that you all seemed to flirt with) is to pick a single artist and then pick a piece that works for the upcoming show. Sea and Cake was a good choice I think. Philip Glass or similar "smart white guy music" seems a good and versatile fit.
I also wonder if it is just going to take a while for TOL to find its voice and once it does, the theme music question will be easier to answer. -
I was thinking about this again today, and I wonder if any of you remember Tom Grant? He is still making music and there are shows that I think he would fit... just a thought. Oh, did I mention that he is from Portland?
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Comments are now closed.
Diane Gutman