写真

  • Submitted on time! Sep 13, 2020
Ryan
Re: Theme

With great hesitation, I ended up writing for Lost in Translation, one of my favorite films of all time. Spare me, Sophia Coppola.

The movie has no score, but there is an incredible soundtrack. I think it’s what made me fall for “shoegaze” or “post-rock” in the first place. Here’s what I might have submitted if Sophia asked me to write, alongside her already really freakin’ great soundtrack, an original fuzzy-low-fidelity-heart-wrencher-with-a-touch-of-uplift that could be iterated into a recurring musical theme throughout the film.

Fun facts: Nothing but guitar was used to make this track, including the “drums”. Track title translates to “photograph” — just sort of felt right, given the framing of most shots in the film. It’s set in Japan, for anyone who may not have seen it (also—go see it!).



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Discussion

  • 9 Comments
lydiarose September 17, 2020 11:15pm

I had no idea the guitar could make all these sounds. The opening sounds a little bit like you’re underwater – really cool. I love the various sections that transition smoothly into each other. I didn’t want this to end. I feel that each section could last a bit longer to live in it a bit more, and the transitions could be even slower and more stretched out (particularly the loud section could be delayed). It puts me on an emotional journey, and I want to build up to the loud section more before arriving there. I could listen to this forever! (I know that’s the opposite of blooming and fading quickly, which I understand reflects the film, but this was just my first impression listening/feeling)

Ryan September 18, 2020 2:47pm

Thanks so much, Lydia! I think you’re right—it definitely needs to be stretched out to properly develop. I wanted it to be short because it’s rare to hear more than 90 seconds of music in a film straight through. But maybe this is the truncated version of what the full piece would really be. Psyched that you felt like you could stay in it for a long time!

nick September 14, 2020 10:31am

Ah I’ve never seen it… but from what I think it’s about, man it’s spot on. Regardless, super nice track. Strange high on the neck guitar strummy loop is primo, good find. I know you created it, but it feels like something found, which is a great quality to have.

Ryan September 15, 2020 10:45am

Well said. Love when those little diamonds show up.

Sam Pearce September 14, 2020 2:42am

Yeah this is beautiful, and I feel something expansive and alive, and kind of ephemeral because the song blooms and fades in a relatively short space. Cool use of percussive guitar. I can’t read kanji, but the Japanese word I know for photograph is “sashin”. Is that what these characters say?

Ryan September 15, 2020 10:45am

That is what these characters say! Blooming and fading pretty quickly is a big part of the film—glad the music reflect that.

alechutson September 13, 2020 11:08pm

yo i love this

nick September 14, 2020 10:31am

Ah I’ve never seen it… but from what I think it’s about, man it’s spot on. Regardless, super nice track. Strange high on the neck guitar strummy loop is primo, good find. I know you created it, but it feels like something found, which is a great quality to have.

Ryan September 15, 2020 10:44am

Thank you, sir.