Horror movies are en vogue.  Beginning with the success of early hits like Cabin Fever, Hostel, and Saw, studios have taken a delicious descent into the sublime and scary.  Names like Lakeshore, Intrepid, Rogue, Twisted, Lionsgate, Screen Gems, Platinum Dunes, and others are now household names and calling cards among “in the know” horror fans.  Along with the revival of horror movies comes the ability for the music component of these films to take the same chances and have as much imagination as their celluloid counterparts.

When it comes to twisted imagery, it’s hard to rival the works of Clive Barker.  His 1984 short story, “Midnight Meat Train”, has been produced into a movie of the same name that will be on screens in limited releast starting today (August 1st).  The dark tone of the film lends itself well to a more expansive musical investment, and producers tapped Justin Lassen to create the soundtrack as a companion to the score.  Justin put a fresh (and delightfully dark) spin on the score by remixing it into an entire album.  What came out the other side is a thought-provoking collection of pieces that, while true to the tone and themes of the movie, create a sound scape all their own and tell an arresting story of their own.  And it leaves me hoping to hear Justin doing full scores sooner than later.  (I’m looking at you, Seraphim and Weinstein Company.  I know the Hellraiser remake is due next year.)

Justin has remixed for many of the greats.  His dark, evocative, brooding, and unique approach to the texture of music is exactly what I want to hear when I think of a photographer stalking a serial killer.  On a train.  With meat.  (Did I say that right?)

For this project, he used Adobe Audition extensively.  Each producer and musician uses his tools differently, so I sat down with Justin to pry into his skull and find out more about his use of Audition, the way he works as a musician, and what his experience working on a major motion picture could teach the rest of us about production in general.  He’s terrifically smart and nice, and I think you’ll genuinely enjoy hearing what he has to say about music, production, and technology.

Podcast Audio:

- Direct Link To Audio (or use the player)

 

 Justin Lassen Interview [11:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Links:

- Empire of Modern Thought - Justin’s official website.
- In The Mind of the Darkly Inclined - Justin’s blog.
- Midnight Meat Train Soundtrack - Official MySpace page.
- Midnight Meat Train OST - Buy from Amazon (or iTunes).
- Lakeshore Records
- Synaesthesia Series - One and three.
- Midnight Meat Train - Official site for the film.