Mood Music
“On our way out we’re doing a band show, more industrial electronic,” Fairbairn says, adding that, while goth, Tall Shadows’ sound is not quite so easy to pin down. “I think it appeals to a lot of different types of people. There are portions of the set with a neo-classical sound with harmony. But there are portions that are quite industrial, kind of like Skinny Puppy, with vocals. I go for impact and emotional intensity. It’s quite dark, but I wouldn’t say it’s a misanthropic act.”
Not only does performing two vastly different shows allow for the duo to flex both their musical muscles, but also cover costs in a live music landscape that is increasingly difficult for bands to make ends meet. Last autumn, Tall Shadows toured Canada in a similar fashion, performing an original score to Häxan, a silent Swedish-Danish horror from 1922 directed by Benjamin Christensen.
“I would say the style of the band does inform the score(s) somewhat, but not completely,” Fairbairn says. “I’m using a lot of the same electronic processing techniques, but it’s less song structure. I start with the parts (in the films) that are more emotionally resonant with me. I use those as the main themes of the work. I modulate them across, and I try to add a sonic element that blends seamlessly with what’s happening on the screen.”