In this week’s episode of the ArtistWorks Music Series podcast, ArtistWorks CEO Patricia Butler sits down with recording and touring bass guitar icon and ArtistWorks instructor, Nathan East, to discuss the art of recording soundtracks for film. They examine the processes and techniques used to record a film score, and how those processes differ from recording a traditional album. Nathan also recounts his recent experience recording bass for the Oscar-winning soundtrack of the Pixar animated film, “Soul.” The show is available wherever you listen to podcasts, or you can listen here at ArtistWorks.

With over 2,000 album credits to his name, Nathan East is one of the most recorded bass players of all time. In addition to performing on stages around the world with some of the biggest names in pop, rock, R&B, blues, and jazz, he has also co-written and recorded songs with the likes of Eric Clapton, Bobby Womack, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, George Harrison, Phil Collins, Daft Punk, Chick Corea, and more.

When Nathan’s in the studio, however, he isn’t always recording bass guitar for America’s next platinum-selling artist. Oftentimes, he can be found recording soundtracks for film—yet another musical endeavor for which Nathan has proven mastery. Most recently, he recorded acoustic upright and electric bass on the 2020 Oscar-winning soundtrack for the Pixar animated film, “Soul,” alongside R&B and jazz piano virtuoso, Jon Baptiste. Nine Inch Nails frontman, Trent Reznor, and Grammy-winning composer and producer Atticus Ross were also leading contributors to the soundtrack.

“We strive to do our best every time we go into the studio,” Nathan explains when asked about the Oscar win. “You never really know what’s going to be on the other end of that, or how the music’s going to be received. But, when it generates a Grammy or better yet an Oscar, which is about as good as it gets in the entertainment business, it’s pretty exciting.”

There are a few critical components that differentiate the methods used when recording soundtracks for film versus recording for an album. It’s no surprise that the added visual element is the primary factor driving these differences in approach.

“There are TV screens all over the studio,” Nathan explains. “When you go into the control room, there’s a large video monitor that shows the scenes, and we actually play along to those scenes… [As a musician,] you’re greatly influenced by the visual, and, most of the time, the director allows you to be expressive and add to the equation.”

To listen to the full podcast and hear more about Nathan’s experiences recording on the soundtrack for “Soul” and other films, click the link below:

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

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On the ArtistWorks Music Series, CEO Patricia Butler speaks with master musicians across all genres who teach at ArtistWorks. Join them as they dive deep into topics like becoming a musician, playing at all skill levels, and the journey of learning music.

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