Contagion

Cliff Martinez joins Elvis Mitchell on KCRW’s ‘The Treatment’

Film composer Cliff Martinez joins Elvis Mitchell to talk intentions and meaning of auditory accompaniment in his newest work Neon Demon.

Cliff Martinez has strong roots in rock music, having begun his career as the drummer of Red Hot Chili Peppers. But, after reflecting on his love for the soundtrack of A Fistful of Dollars, Martinez broadened his musical scope as film composer behind scores for such films and television series as Spring Breakers, Sex, Lies and Videotape and The Knick. He joins Elvis Mitchell to discuss his personal music history and the thought process behind his latest musical work on Neon Demon.

The Treatment with Elvis Mitchell on KCRW

Composer Cliff Martinez Talks Score For ‘Contagion’ & Working With Steven Soderbergh

cliffmartinez-stevensoderbergh-contagion

Working at a relentless pace, Steven Soderbergh’s work ethic has benefitted not only from his drive and focus, but from surrounding himself with a regular group of collaborators who understand his process and approach to filmmaking. And one of those regulars is composer Cliff Martinez (a former drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers too). He has worked with Soderbergh ever since his debut “sex, lies & videotape,” contributing to films big and small including “Kafka,” “Traffic,” “The Limey,” “King Of The Hill” and more. The forthcoming virus thriller, “Contagion,” will mark their tenth film together and it will definitely find the duo in new territory. Described by Soderbergh as a type of “horror movie” the star-studded tale — the cast includes Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard, Jude Law and many, many more — chronicles the outbreak of a deadly virus as it spreads quickly worldwide. It’s a new genre for composer and director alike and the results should be fascinating.  – Drew Taylor | The Playlist

Read the full article here.

Film Music Magazine – Interview With Composer Cliff Martinez

Lincoln

Daniel: It seems that you’ve been a go-to composer for unconventional thrillers. What do you think it is about your sound that’s right for movies about corrupted characters?
Cliff: Perhaps being one myself is useful. I’d like to think that I do both “dark” and “psychological” well. When working with a story that is built around a potentially unlikable character, you need to fill out their interior well enough to want to follow them around from beginning to end. A degree of typecasting plays a role also. I keep getting asked to do these kinds of films and I suppose I’m getting better and more experienced at it.
Daniel: What do you think it is about your sound that brings a new generation of directing blood to you, especially LINCOLN LAWYER’s Brad Furman?
Cliff: I’d chalk that up to having scored a stockpile of Steven Soderberghs’ early films like KING OF THE HILL. Directors are discovering little-known gems like these years later. Brad was also a big fan of PUMP UP THE VOLUME. Talk about my film scoring childhood! I think that was a first for me. – by 

Read the full interview at Film Music Magazine

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