"To me, music and movies go hand in hand" - Quentin Tarantino
Music is an incredibly important part of film. When used properly it enhances emotion in any scene, and combined with visuals— can create an experience greater than the sum of its parts.
When Cal asked me to be a part of 'The Astrid Experience' I jumped at the opportunity to write and score the original soundtrack. I've known Cal for years (he produced my first music video) so I already trusted his vision, passion and determination to deliver art at the highest quality.
The script for ASTRID stood out to me immediately. On the surface, it's a simple romantic comedy/drama, but after a full read the depth of the characters and complex inner conflicts begin to show through. The bustling backdrop of urban Los Angeles is the perfect stage for the magic and mystery that plays out as the story progresses. I knew that with a proper original soundtrack, this film could be far more impactful than even Cal realized.
While we were researching the project, Cal and I watched a number of independent films made in ASTRID's budget range as well as a few that were 10x or 100x the budget. We noticed that the majority of the films we watched lacked a strong soundtrack. Most relied on royalty free, common use licensed songs that sounded generic at best. The mix of lackluster song choices and delivery left me feeling like each film was missing something major.
In my 10 years of writing and producing music, I've amassed an eclectic catalog of work. My songs (both released and unreleased) span across multiple genres and influences. During the soundtrack development process for ASTRID I started by watching the film and working with Cal to find an overall tone and feeling that would serve the plot. I reached back to old unfinished ideas and wrote entirely new songs to fit moments we had been missing. Eventually, I was able to craft a cohesive and fully immersive soundtrack that complements the on screen visuals expertly.
With over 10 million combined plays I believe ASTRID will find a number of fans brought to the project through my and my collaborators musical fanbases. Below are a few examples of released music that will be included in the film. I appreciate every last one of you for taking the time to look over our project, and I hope you'll consider investing and joining the ride with us!
Much Love,
John