Moby
Music is an essential part of filmmaking, and finding the right tracks can be time-consuming and expensive. Countless films have lost credibility, tension or have even been ruined by bad music choices.
One person who knows a thing or two about making the perfect film track is one man music maestro Moby. Born Richard Melville Hall on September 11, 1965 in Harlem, New York City, Moby has made an impressive mark on the music industry. He released his first record Hit Squad for God in 1983 with a band called the Vatican Commandos but later decided to venture out on his own. In 1990, his single Mobility received moderate success and was followed by the overwhelming success of his fourth single Go, which has now sold more than one million copies and was named one of Rolling Stone’s best records of all time. His album Play has now gone on to sell 10 million copies, establishing him as one of the best artists of today. Moby’s film credits include The Beach, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Leonardo DiCaprio; and Heat, a Michael Mann film starring Robert de Niro and Al Pacino. I caught up with him to ask a few questions about his extensive film track experience.
IFQ: What was the first Moby track used in a film?
Moby: I believe it was called Ah Ah and it was used in the Ralph Bakshi movie Cool World (starring Brad Pitt).
IFQ: Was it made for the film or taken from the album?
Moby: It was adapted for the film, which tends to be the usual way that my music ends up in films. I’ll write something and then adapt it to a specific scene.
IFQ: How many film tracks have you done?
Moby: I have absolutley no idea. A lot!
IFQ: Have you ever suggested a Moby track for a film?
Moby: No, I don’t think I’ve ever suggested one of my songs for a film.
IFQ: Do you find time to see many films?
Moby: Unfortunately, because I’m on tour right now I don’t see too many films.
IFQ: Well, of the films you have seen, who do you think is the most promising director right now?
Moby: My favourite current director is Takeshi Kitano (Brother, 2000), but I also really like Mark Pellington (Mothman Prophecies, 2002; Arlington Road, 1999; Jerry Maguire, 1996).
IFQ: What’s your favorite Moby film track ever used?
Moby: Probably God Moving Over the Face of the Waters as used in the Michael Mann film Heat.
IFQ: Did you like that film?
Moby: I love Heat. I like working with Michael Mann quite a bit, even though he’s very intense.
IFQ: Didn’t you also reinvent the famous James Bond theme tune?
Moby: Yes, I did, for Tomorrow Never Dies. (It was actually his 8th U.K. top 40 hit.)
IFQ: In the future, do you see yourself doing more tracks for big budget features or independent films?
Moby: When I was young I really wanted to write music for movies, but after writing music for movies I’ve kind of lost my enthusiasm for it. I’d like to do music for movies wherein I could work with a wonderful director, big budget or not. I don’t like being handed a finished film and then being given twenty-four hours to do music for it.
IFQ: Are you working on any film tracks right now?
Moby: No, right now I’m too busy touring to think about making film music.
Melissa Silver