In most cases, a soundtrack is scored after the scenes are written and the video is shot. When done well, it sits behind the story, enhancing the viewers’ emotional connection to the players and their environment. What’s more, the soundtrack often helps create a rhythm to, and connection between the scenes. The soundtrack also helps to shape the audience’s reactions at crucial points in the story. Well, that’s what we learn anyway. But what if we write the soundtrack before the production? That was the challenge behind Vagabond.
How do you approach writing and completing the soundtrack to a stage play that is being adapted to video and while it’s still in production? Thanks, Covid!
It helps that the basis of the Vagabond story was formed in the lyrics and ideas of some of ToMs early songs. The songs “Vagabond”, “Down The River” and others are foundation pieces for the play. Many of the new compositions reimagine these earlier songs. Other new titles create abstract soundscapes without any preconceived idea of how they will fit into the final production. In fact, if you listen to the soundtrack now, we’ll share the experience of seeing how the soundtrack unites with the story when the video production of Vagabond is released.
More Cowbell?
When you listen to some of the soundscape tracks such as “Strange Land”, “Blake” & “Elements of Air”, you may imagine yourself somewhere unfamiliar. There may be very little you recognize and nothing that feels like the place you call home. Keep moving and listening. Eventually, you’ll find comfort in something familiar. A voice, a breeze, the songs of the birds, or maybe even… a cowbell.
Only 2 days.