This week, we’re rewinding some of our favorite films and their soundtracks, exploring how the visual medium amplifies music.
Films and music have always been strong influences in my life, and watching movies is an excellent way to discover new music and find inspiration for creative endeavors. In many ways, this is a love letter to those incredible experiences I've had while watching and listening.
We’ll be diving into icons like Joe Hisaishi, who takes us on a Ghibli journey, and Miles Davis, who delivers entirely improvised masterpieces while enduring physical pain. We’ll explore the movies themselves, how the music sets the tone, and when, in some cases, the music becomes the protagonist.
The order of the songs also mirrors the passing of a day. So let’s dim the lights, turn up the stereo, sit back, and let the films roll.
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varied/mix is a newsletter designed around playlists and short-form writing.
We gather five songs that we’ve discovered or rediscovered and organize them to mirror the progression of a day: morning, noon, afternoon, evening, and late night. We provide background and lyrical insights to enhance your listening experience and highlight moments that can be elevated with the music.
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Find the playlist on Spotify & YouTube and our writings below.
For the cinephiles out there, we've compiled the movies in a Letterboxd list.
Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind (1984) / Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind is one of my top 5 favorite movies andits opening theme, composed by the legendary Joe Hisaishi, brings together a mesmerizing blend of synths and orchestra. The sweeping soundscape mirrors the vastness of the film’s post-apocalyptic world.
Hisaishi creates a delicate balance between synthetic sounds and organic instrumentation which feels ahead of its time, capturing both the fragility and resilience of Nausicaä herself and the changed landscape around her. This score sets the perfect tone for the start of your day, full of adventure and awe.
Tahoultine
Mdou Moctar
Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai (2015) / Directed by Christopher Kirkley
We’re transported to Africa in our next song where our protagonist becomes an avatar for Prince in the Saharan version of Purple Rain. In Niger, where this film was made, there’s no word for “purple,” making the title Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai roughly translate to “Rain the Color of Blue with a Little Red in It,”. The film, featuring the Tuareg guitar hero Mdou Moctar, combines exceptional vocals and gritty guitar riffs to tell a story that mirrors Prince’s classic.
This particular song is a slower one to be enjoyed as you set upon your journey of the day. The hypnotic rhythms and unique desert blues capture both the expansive beauty and hardships of life in the Sahara.
Jim Jones at Botany Bay
Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kurt Russell
The Hateful Eight (2015) / Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino’s films are legendary for their soundtracks, and yet here from one of his movies that has less of an iconic soundtrack, Kurt Russell and Jennifer Jason Leigh deliver a haunting rendition of "Jim Jones at Botany Bay.” The movie’s tension-filled scene as the characters hole up for the night is heightened by this traditional Australian folk ballad, which paints a vivid picture of desperation and exile.
Fun Fact: During the filming of this scene, Kurt Russell actually destroyed a priceless vintage Martin guitar.
Leigh's reaction? Totally real. You can even catch her looking away from Russell, likely toward the crew, trying to process what just happened. She had no idea the smash was coming. What she did know, though, was that the guitar she was holding came straight from the Martin Guitar Museum and dated back to the 1870s.
Originally, the plan was for her to play the 145-year-old guitar for the scene, then swap it with a prop for the smashing. However, Russell revealed at the time he was under strict orders to keep acting until Tarantino yelled cut, regardless of whether he smashed the guitar or not. What followed was a great tragedy for music lovers everywhere.
After the incident, Martin Guitars made it clear: they won’t be loaning out instruments for films anymore, no exceptions.
Generique
Miles Davis
Ascenseur pour l’échafaud (1958) / Directed by Louis Malle
The genius of Miles Davis is on full display here as he improvises the entire score for Ascenseur pour l’échafaud, a classic French film noir. The moody, atmospheric sounds of "Generique" perfectly capture the film’s tension and melancholy.
From the original liner notes:
“The recording was made at night in a Paris radio studio and the atmosphere was very relaxed. Musicians watched the principle scenes of the film and improvised as they watched. It is important to stress the improvisatory nature of the music as it is most unusual to allow any degree of freedom to musicians recording a score where it is so essential to attain perfect synchronization.”
Above, the director Louis Malle walks us through the exact moments of the recordings. Anecdotally, Davis’s lip was stuck to his trumpet during the recording, yet the performance remains flawless, a testament to his resilience and brilliance.
From the original liner notes:
“At one point, during the playing of “Dîner au motel”, a fragment of skin was detached from Miles’ lip and into the embouchure, but he just kept on playing.”
A beautiful song for a long walk or a sunset. How about both? Hit the road and thank us later.
New York Mood (New Haircut and a Busted Lip)
Tom Waits
Night on Earth (1991) / Directed by Jim Jarmusch
Night on Earth is an ensemble film that captures the unique mood of different cities around the world from the perspective of one taxicab ride in the night. Our particular choice to finish of the day is "New York Mood". Reflective, and undeniably atmospheric, echoing the raw, chaotic energy of the city that never sleeps.
Let this final song drive you back home.
Thanks for reading & listening!
As always, we appreciate you taking the time to listen, read, and explore with us. Music is a journey, and we’re glad to have you along for the ride. We hope today’s playlist not only adds a little rhythm to your day but also sparks a few new discoveries along the way.
Until next time, keep your mind open and that curiosity alive.
Need more music?
Ever feel like five songs just aren’t enough? We know the feeling! Every time we craft a playlist, we have to make tough choices, leaving so many incredible tracks on the cutting room floor. But here’s the good news — we’re giving you access to the full, uncut experience!
Our extended playlists dive even deeper into the theme of each edition, featuring a larger collection of hand-picked songs that perfectly complement the journey we’ve started.
Unlock the entire musical journey by becoming a paid subscriber. These exclusive playlists are available on Spotify and are designed to give you hours of seamless listening that elevates your experience far beyond just a few tracks.
Give your ears the gift of better music this year. Elevate your listening experience, and discover what you’ve been missing!
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