Grammy-nominated EDM artists ODESZA might have appeared like a shock alternative for the now-viral “Severance” rating remix, launched earlier this 12 months. And but, as “Severance” govt producer and director Ben Stiller tweeted, the pairing virtually looks like an Innie fever dream of sonic bliss.
Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, who comprise ODESZA, shockingly had solely three weeks to remix Theodore Shapiro’s authentic “Severance” rating for a 23-minute observe that was been looped to kind an eight-hour piece of music to reflect the usual 9 to five workday. The playlist was billed by Apple as being “designed for eight hours of focus — good to your Innie’s workday.” The remix was launched throughout all streaming platforms April 4 after first premiering on YouTube.
In a joint interview, Mills and Knight inform IndieWire how the “Severance” remix was an enlargement on their partnerships with Apple, element incorporating “company” sounds, and why a mission like “Dune” or “The White Lotus” is their subsequent aim (“The White Lotus” composer did only in the near past exit after Season 3, so name HBO ASAP).
The next interview has been edited and condensed for size and readability.
IndieWire: How did you each first get approached to collaborate with “Severance”?
Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight: We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Apple. They’ve supported us over time by that includes songs like “Loyal” and “The Final Goodbye” of their campaigns, so we’ve stayed in contact. We had been simply coming back from an extended break and had been beginning to dive into writing new music when Apple reached out with the concept of doing one thing for “Severance.” We’re big followers of the present, so we instantly stated sure.
It ended up being a good way to shake off the mud and get the inventive gears turning once more. Working inside the framework of the present gave us a sort of sandbox to play in. It was a brilliant quick turnaround, like three weeks, however that tight timeline compelled us to belief our preliminary intestine reactions to what we had been making and never overthink issues.
We additionally had the chance to collaborate intently with Theodore Shapiro, who actually championed us all through the method.
What was the inspiration for the eight hour, work-themed remix?
That was truly the unique goal from Apple. They approached us with the concept of making an prolonged remix of the “Severance” rating that would loop for eight hours. It was initially designed particularly for a YouTube expertise, functioning as a soundtrack to your Innie at work. So we approached it with that in thoughts, however the mission ended up morphing into one thing else very naturally.
The remixes are designed to ebb and circulate, like a journey via “Severance.” The YouTube model is a 23-minute loop that performs out over the eight hours, paired with footage from the present and a few interludes that actually pull you into that world. It wasn’t initially supposed to hearken to on different streaming platforms, however as soon as the YouTube video was launched we acquired quite a lot of demand for the music, and we knew we needed to launch it formally on DSPs and on vinyl.
As iconic EDM artists, how did you merge your sound with the haunting “Severance” rating?
It was positively a fragile steadiness, desirous to respect the unique whereas additionally bringing in our personal perspective. We spent quite a lot of time re-contextualizing sure melodies and motifs, taking parts that felt acquainted and giving them a brand new emotional weight via completely different chords and textures within the spirit of our music.
In some methods, the method reminded us of our early days, the place we had been sampling so much and constructing one thing new from current items. It felt like a return to that sort of inventive exploration, taking components that might be recognizable, a sound or a melody, and constructing on prime of it, giving it a brand new life via an alternate lens. Our aim was to carry the heat and coronary heart that we attempt to put into all our music, and provides the rating a extra euphoric, rhythm-focused raise whereas nonetheless staying true to the environment of the present.
We additionally discovered enjoyable methods to include some “Severance” Easter eggs into the remixes, like goat sounds within the background, elevator dings, typing sound results…It was actually enjoyable and playful general.
How well-versed had been you each previous to this? Are you followers of the collection?
We had been already followers earlier than this got here up, however as soon as we acquired concerned, we had been actually dwelling and respiratory “Severance.” We acquired the second season earlier than it was stay and watched it multi function sitting. It’s such a novel, layered present. Attending to contribute to that world was surreal.
Will you have got any stay exhibits for the “Severance” remix?
It might positively be enjoyable to discover a solution to carry components of the remix into our exhibits. We’re at all times experimenting with new methods to reinterpret music for the stage, so it’s not off the desk!
What different collabs with movie or TV do you need to do subsequent?
We’d like to do one thing within the sci-fi house; one thing large and synth-driven. Initiatives like “Interstellar,” “Scavengers Reign,” or “Frequent Aspect Results” actually encourage us. The concept of engaged on one thing like “Dune” or “White Lotus” can also be actually exhilarating.