Composer Series,  Interviews,  Movies/Entertainment,  Podcast Interview

Interview…Daniel Pemberton on Aaron Sorkin’s ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’

UK-based composer Daniel Pemberton has such a distinctive voice, er sound, and his compositions never fail to leave us awestruck. The work he creates is as impacting as it is innovative. If that wasn’t enough, this multi-Golden Globe, Emmy and BAFTA Award-nominated musician has worked hand in hand with Ridley Scott, Darren Aronofsky, Guy Ritchie and other legendary directors.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is lauded as a game-changer in the action genre and really put him on the map, Steve Jobs is a masterful progression of digital bits and beeps that segues beautifully into lush symphonic splendor, the Black Mirror episode, U.S.S. Callister, is a darkly memorable alt. take on Star Trek that is propelled by stellar music, and the work to Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse speaks for itself. And that’s just the short list.

Yet it is the more reserved and conservative approach to Aaron Sorkin‘s courtroom drama that is perhaps one of his most impressive to date. Why? It’s how the themes build and rise in tandem with Sorkin’s lightning-fast dialog, and it adds the appropriate punch right when the film needs it. If James Horner has his “snarl“, Pemberton has a, well, we’ll think of a word for it.

Now in regards to that film, Varèse Sarabande has announced the upcoming vinyl release of the soundtrack for The Trial of the Chicago 7 (see below for more info). That tracklist is comprised of ten original score selections by Pemberton and two original songs performed by breakthrough Polydor recording artist Celeste. Pemberton and Celeste co-wrote the film’s focus track “Hear My Voice.”

We were thrilled to speak to Daniel and discussed his early days and his first album, the thought he puts into each project, his heroes like John Barry, Ennio Morricone, and Jerry Goldsmith, and the slew of good luck he’s had working with some of the real legends in the business. Enjoy!

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The soundtrack to The Trial of the Chicago 7 album pictured above is available on digital platforms and CD, but the LP is available for pre-order and will be released on February 26. Also, an exclusive sky blue-colored vinyl will be available only at Target.com.

Exclusive Track: ‘Take the Hill‘ from The Trial of the Chicago 7

What was intended to be a peaceful protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organizers of the protest—including Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale—were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot and the trial that followed was one of the most notorious in history.

You can get more info on Daniel through his official website and his Twitter page.