Soundtrack Showdown

We’re trying something new!\r\n\nWe really want to talk about some of the great new game music that is coming out every year. But games episodes are so hard to do. The soundtracks are hard to compare, particularly of brand new games where we need to play them fully and work out what tracks are most comparable – where those tracks are even known, or available!\r\n\nSo, we’ve come up with a new approach. We have looked through a lot of the best music and games from the last year and come up with 6 categories to discuss.\r\n\nWe really hope you enjoy it, please let us know through our usual platforms -\r\n\nhttps://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/\r\n\nhttps://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nRound 1 – Best Game Remix/Arrangement\r\n\nFinal Fantasy 7 – Aerith and Tifa Medley – Vocal cover by Andrew and Jillian Aversa, feat. Aeralie Brighton\r\n\nMonkey Island Theme – Arrangement by The Game Brass\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nRound 2 – Best Original Song\r\n\nI’m your GPU – Astro’s Playroom - https://youtu.be/C9_ooljYl60\r\n\nThe Way of the Ghost – Ghost of Tsushima - https://youtu.be/uoqWH32i1wg\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nRound 3 - Best Original Song for e-sports\r\n\nHonor of Kings - Evolve - (2020 Honor of Kings World Champion Cup) - Ki: Theory https://youtu.be/cYzVlOU0XbA\r\n\nLeague of Legends – K/DA – More - https://youtu.be/3VTkBuxU4yk\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nRound 4 - Best Main Theme\r\n\nEmpire of Sin – Tommy Buckley - https://youtu.be/_o99gCTHqOM\r\n\nLittle Orpheus – Jim Fowler and Jessica Curry - https://youtu.be/vZQw1hbxY_E\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nRound 5 - Most Unique\r\n\nThe Pathless (none have returned) – Austin Wintory - https://youtu.be/C_1qUwfaP9U\r\n\nMetamorphosis - https://youtu.be/fUAlHSJ6mtI\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nRound 6 - Most Fun\r\n\nSpyder - https://youtu.be/H4wjbOENtgU\r\n\nHades - https://youtu.be/Yco-B4BSaj4?list=PL53mjgVKFq7y1B8tEQwdyfW-FG9-LXuzM\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nStay safe everyone. Wear masks and follow local instruction.\r\n\nAnd of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available.\r\n\n\n--- \n\nSend in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

Welcome to our customary February “Romantic Movie” showdown in honour of Valentine’s Day. *CONTENT WARNING* This year we are looking at two films that look at BDSM relationships. Please note that this makes the episode somewhat more ‘adult’ than usual. We focus primarily on the music and the underlying relationships, but please avoid this episode if discussion of sex, sexuality and bondage is uncomfortable for you (or unsuitable for the environment in which you listen to podcasts). Rounds for this month 1 – Opening Music 2 – Characters and Fetishes 3 – Sexual Fantasy 4 – Relationship Breakdown 5 – Legacy Also a disclaimer that whilst we are professional film composers and knowledgeable on that side of things, we openly acknowledge that neither of us are experts regarding BDSM. If you find that we have been disrespectful or inaccurate in any of our discussion, it is not intentional and please let us know through the channels below so that we can discuss how we can make right. To do this, or find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com We hope you’ve enjoyed another Soundtrack Showdown episode. If so, the absolute best things you can do for us are to share us with your friends and family, and/or leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. Stay safe out there everybody. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all, it’s the Soundtrack Showdown Christmas Special. This month we compare Michael Convertino’s score for The Santa Clause and John Debney’s for Elf. Two cult films built around dominant comedians of their generations. Rounds for this month 1 – Santa’s Workshop 2 – The Journey 3 – Showdown with the “villians” 4 – Credits Song 5 – Legacy Stay safe out there everybody. We hope you’ve enjoyed another year of Soundtrack Showdown episodes. If so, the absolute best things you can do for us are to share us with your friends and family, and/or leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com See you all next year! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

It’s November, and that means time again for one of our “fireside chat” episodes where we sit down and talk about the music that has influenced us. This year, in the spirit of 2020, we talk about the music that has gotten us through Lockdown. Note that at the time of recording, we actually were in the UK’s second national lockdown. We also provide some of our best tips for how to survive and remain productive through lockdown. So, whether you are listening to this at time of release, and still going through the feels of 2020, or perhaps just want a reminder of what we were all going through, please enjoy. Content warning: We don’t get too heavy in this episode, but if talking about the virus, lockdown and/or isolation is upsetting for you, then please be careful with this episode. Stay safe everyone. Wear masks and follow local instructions. An easy way to share us with your friends is to share the advertising posts of your favourite episodes from: https://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/ And of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

It’s Ella’s favourite time of year again, Halloween! And this year we’re celebrating by going way back into the vaults to two of the earliest soundtracks in cinema history. We consider the work of the “father of film music” Max Steiner in his seminal 1933 score to King Kong. And what could stand against that? Only the equally iconic Franz Waxman and his score for 1935’s Bride of Frankenstein. Rounds for this month 1 – Monster Intro 2 – Romance and Flirting 3 – Rampage and Carnage 4 – Finale and *spoiler* 5 – Legacy Stay safe everyone. An easy way to share us with your friends is to share the advertising posts of your favourite episodes from: https://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/ And of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

In July this year (2020) we lost one of the true titans of film composition, Maestro Ennio Morricone. This week we talk about two of his finest achievements. His iconic collaboration with Sergio Leone on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from 1966 vs Roland Joffe’s somewhat dated 1986 masterpiece “The Mission”. Rounds for this month 1 – Main Theme 2 – Arrival 3 – Tension and Combat 4 – Elegy 5 – Legacy Stay safe everyone. An easy way to share us with your friends is to share the advertising posts of your favourite episodes from: https://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/ And of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

This month we focus on the Mexican film director, screenwriter, producer, and novelist – Guillermo Del Toro. We’re talking about the music for two of his most respected “adult fairytale” films,  Pan’s Labyrinth - score by the Spanish composer Javier Navarrete; and  The Shape of Water - score by the French composer Alexandre Desplat. Rounds for this month 1 – Main Theme and Main Character [13:12] 2 – The Supernatural [31:50] 3 – Suspense [45:34] 4 – Death And Resurrection [1:04:36] 5 – Legacy [1:18:48] Stay safe everyone. An easy way to share us with your friends is to share the advertising posts of your favourite episodes from: https://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/ And of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

This month we talk about two gangster films made by legendary directors. We have Francis Ford Coppola’s seminal The Godfather from 1972 up against one of the ‘most watched’ movies of the 2020 Coronavirus lockdown, Michael Mann’s 2009 Public Enemies. This pits the Italian maestro Nino Rota against one of our favourite contemporary film composers, Elliot Goldenthal Rounds for this month 1 – Opening Music 2 – Character Transformation 3 – Love theme 4 – Finale 5 – Legacy Stay safe everyone. An easy way to share us with your friends is to share the advertising posts of your favourite episodes from: https://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/ And of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

We kick off season 3 with a battle of the ages, Marvel vs DC Representing DC, we have Hans Zimmer’s score for Zac Snyder’s 2013 Superman reboot – Man Of Steel And for Marvel we have Marco Beltrami’s score for Logan from 2017, the farewell to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, directed by James Mangold. Rounds for this month 1 – Main Character Theme 2 – Villain Theme 3 – Action 4 – Emotion and Breakthrough 5 – Legacy Stay safe everyone. An easy way to share us with your friends is to share the advertising posts of your favourite episodes from: https://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/ And of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

This month we made the ill-advised decision to watch two TV series about grief and the end of the world. We promise that we decided to do these before it got bad! We only discuss season 1 of each show. In our humble opinion, the best viewing experience is to only watch season 1, and leave it at that. An early disclaimer. We hit the spoilers hard from the beginning of this show. If you’d prefer to watch the shows first, maybe hold off on this one until you have. Particularly Wayward Pines is the sort of show that is built around suspense and mystery and will not be as fun if you know what happens. Please note that there are also some heavy moments in this episode as we discuss how the shows resonate with our feelings around being around 10 weeks into lockdown in London. Rounds for this month 1 – Main Title Theme 2 – Loss 3 – Mystery 4 – Release 5 – Legacy We hope that this episode brings you some joy and distraction from the current state of the world. Even if the shows don’t. But remember, if you’re having trouble coping in any way, please reach out to friends, family and helplines in your local country. There is no shame or weakness in getting assistance. And, a huge thank you to the front line staff in this crisis including medical staff, emergency personnel and anyone on those crucial helplines. Stay safe everyone. An easy way to share us with your friends is to share the advertising posts of your favourite episodes from: https://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/ And of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

Social isolation special. We absolutely didn’t intend this. But, as Covid-19 reaches pandemic proportions and social distancing measures are put in place around the world, we find ourselves analysing two films that consider the consequences of social isolation. Rounds for this month 1 – The city 2 – Relationship with women 3 – Guns and violence 4 – Transition 5 – Legacy We hope that this episode brings you some joy and distraction from the current state of the world. But remember, if you’re having trouble coping in any way, please reach out to friends, family and helplines in your local country. There is no shame or weakness in getting assistance. And, a huge thank you to the front line staff in this crisis including medical staff, emergency personnel and anyone on those crucial helplines. Stay safe everyone. We hope you’re enjoying these Soundtrack Showdown episodes as much as we enjoy making them. An easy way to share us with your friends is to share the advertising posts of your favourite episodes from: https://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/ And of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

It’s our 2020 Valentines Day special and this year we’re looking at two landmark pieces of LGBTQ+ cinema; Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain – score by Gustavo Santaolalla, and Todd Haynes’ Carol – score by Carter Burwell With special guest Mahatma Khandi (@mahatmakhandi) Rounds for this month 1 – Opening 2 – Lovemaking 3 – Loss 4 – Contemporary Music 5 – Legacy Bonus Content: Documentary on Carol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMoxoFuzESA We hope you’re enjoying these Soundtrack Showdown episodes as much as we enjoy making them. An easy way to share us with your friends is to share the advertising posts of your favourite episodes from: https://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/ And of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

This month we compare the work of a master and their apprentice. Elmer Bernstein wrote some of the one of the most iconic and enduring scores in the history of cinema. However, he also has a legacy as one of the great teachers of Hollywood. Rising star, Bear McCreary owes a particular gratitude, having been mentored and essentially introduced to the industry by Bernstein. We compare McCreary’s most recent big score - Godzilla: King of the Monsters, with one of Bernstein’s absolute best – The Great Escape. Rounds for this month 1 – Main Theme 2 – Suspense 3 – Action 4 – Sadness and Loss 5 – Legacy Bonus: Bear McCreary’s Blog “My decade with Elmer Bernstein”  We hope you’re enjoying these Soundtrack Showdown episodes as much as we enjoy making them. An easy way to share us with your friends is to share the advertising posts of your favourite episodes from: https://www.facebook.com/tristellarmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/tristellarmusic/ And of course, it’s even better if you leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. We’re now available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Overcast, Anchor, and virtually anywhere podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

Christmas Special - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) v The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (2000) Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all, it’s the Soundtrack Showdown Christmas Special. This month, Ella and Tristan compare Danny Elfman’s score for The Nightmare Before Christmas and James Horner’s for The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Rounds for this month 1 – Christmas 2 – Villains 3 – Plots and Plans 4 – The Christmas Delivery/Raid 5 – Legacy We hope you’ve enjoyed another year of Soundtrack Showdown episodes. If so, the absolute best things you can do for us are to share us with your friends and family, and/or leave us a lovely review wherever you get your podcasts. To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com See you all next year! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

This month Ella and Tristan embrace the negative and talk about six soundtrack trends that really grind our gears. 1: Poor music placement/editing 2: Inconsistent Sound 3: Weak Hero Themes 4: Percussion tracks (and ostinatos) 5: The decline of Danny Elfman 6: Overuse of unusal instruments or non-instruments Warning: Some minor spoilers for the 2017 movie “It”. To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com And please, if you like what we’re doing and would like to help, the best thing you can do share our podcast with your family and friends and leave us a review wherever you listen. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

  This month we compare two social-message horror films. The Stepford Wives – Composer Michael Small, and Get Out – Composer Michael Abels  Rounds for this month 1 – Opening Theme 2 – Something’s wrong 3 – Reveal 4 – Suspense 5 – Legacy If you missed our September Episode (aka S02E05, or Episode 17) that’s because it was a Twitch stream. You can see the episode on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/GJAK5XFCZG0. You can also follow our Twitch Channel at https://www.twitch.tv/soundtrackshowdown To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com And please, share our podcast with your friends and leave us a review wherever you listen. It really helps us reach out to a bigger audience. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

This month we go Look at mega-fantasy film franchises from 2001. We analyse Howard Shore’s score for the Fellowship of the Ring and John Williams’ for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Rounds for this month 1 – Prologue 2 – The Ordinary World/Innocence 3 – Action 4 – Evil 5 – Legacy Special Treats The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films – book by Doug Adams, a great read if you are into the films and the music. The most comprehensive study on any film score that I have read - his blog is http://www.musicoflotr.com/ Tristan’s old, very nerdy blog post on fun facts about the Lord of the Rings soundtracks, going into far greater detail than we ever could here - http://tristankane.com/2016/05/7-super-nerdy-music-stats-about-the-lord-of-the-rings/ Keep an eye out on our Twitch Channel - https://www.twitch.tv/soundtrackshowdown for next months highly combative (or is that Kombative) episode. To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

A titanic battle between two small screen blockbusters as we compare Ramin Djawadi’s score for Game of Thrones (2011-2019) and Brian Reitzell’s score for American Gods (2017 - ) Rounds for this month 1 – Main Themes 2 – Characters 3 – Songs 4 – Musical Story Telling 5 – Legacy Special Treats Tristan’s video essay on the Game of Throne main theme  Excellent detailed analysis of Light of the Seven from ‘The Week’ (not Verve, or whatever I said in episode, which is not even a real publication) Spotify playlist of some of our favourite music from Game of Thrones and American Gods, including all the tracks we talk about in the episode To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

 This month we go back to the world of superheroes as we compare two African-American-centric Marvel movies. We analyse Mark Isham’s score for Blade (1998) and Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar-winning score for Black Panther (2018) plus the commercial music that was used in both films. Rounds for this month 1 – Heroes 2 – Villains 3 – Action 4 – Pop Songs 5 - Action To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message

Ella and Tristan compare the music of Final Fantasy VII and the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. And yes, we talk about One-Winged Angel! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundtrack-showdown/message