The Last of Us (Astray) Astray is basically an iteration of the main title theme played on a Fender guitar bass: a six string bass that looks and feels more like a baritone guitar. Gustavo Santaolalla employed the guitar bass on other selections from The […]

Odi et Amo This is perhaps the greatest piece by the late Johann Johannsson (next to The Sun’s Gone Dim and the Sky’s Turned Black). Odi et Amo (I Hate Love) is at once devastating and futuristic. Although I prefer the sonic heaviness of the […]

Until the Heart Whispers Back Listen on Spotify. I wrote this song for my wife Jennifer. She’s the sole reason why I’m a father, and play guitar for a living. As it happens, music is my best currency – and nothing cements my feelings for […]

you should see me in a crown I love this song by Billie Eilish. The chorus is so heavy. I’ve been toying with the idea of creating a solo guitar version for quite some time. I’m glad I finally did — as I’m sure most people […]

Isolated System I love this instrumental piece by Muse. It worked perfectly as the theme song for Brad Pitt’s World War Z in 2013. Using it was a brilliant stroke — as it set a tenor of unease, right from the beginning of the film. […]

A Lannister Always pays His Debts I’ve always loved this piece from Games of Thrones Season 3. It’s really a classic motif from the series called, The Rains of Castamere. The Lannister variant is an extended more melodic version. I paired down the piece to something […]

Lily’s Theme Lily’s Theme, by composer Alexandre Desplat, is one of the most poignant pieces of music from the Harry Potter films. The song was composed by French composer, Alexandre Desplat, who scored both parts of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” The haunting vocals […]

Summer Storm The Glass Castle (the book and movie) recount the unconventional, poverty-stricken upbringing of Jeannette Walls and her siblings had at the hands of their deeply dysfunctional parents. The title refers to her father’s long held intention of building his dream house, ‘a glass […]

If Beale Street Could Talk If Beale Street Could Talk is a 2018 romantic drama film written and directed by Barry Jenkins. The film follows a young woman in early 1970s Harlem — who seeks to clear the name of her lover, charged with a […]

Between the Shadow and Soul “I don’t love you as if you were a rose of salt, topaz, or arrow of carnations that propagate fire: I love you as one loves certain obscure things, secretly, between the shadow and the soul.” – Pablo Neruda, Love […]

Death Letter “We’re starting and ending the season with deep, deep classic American vernacular,” T Bone Burnett – music producer and soundtrack curator of HBO’s True Detective. ‘Death Letter Blues’ was originally recorded by Delta Blues artist, Son House, in 1965. Cassandra Wilson’s 1995 version […]

Jason Isbell To say the least, Jason Isbell is the preeminent singer/songwriter of our time. Almost lost in the superb songwriting and flawless singing — is Jason Isbell’s world class guitar playing. If you get the opportunity to watch a Jason Isbell play live — you’ll […]