For Episode 03 of the Composer Magazine Podcast, we’re joined by one of the most distinct, unusual and immediately recognisable contemporary composers: Cristobal Tapia de Veer.
Having just won the Emmy for Best Original Dramatic Score, awarded to him for his iconic soundtrack for the second season of HBO’s The White Lotus, Cristobal sits down with Charles Steinberg and composer Natalie Holt to reflect on his bold and distinctive career to date.
From scoring cult favourite British drama Utopia to soundtracking Hollywood horror Smile and the cultural TV phenomenon of The White Lotus, the Chilean-Canadian composer explains how he forged his signature sounds, why being edgy isn’t always a good thing, and how vital "the vibe" is to making music.
“I don't do second seasons normally. But 'Utopia' and 'The White Lotus' felt special — so I stuck around.”
Cristobal: I've been lucky with many things, but mainly in realising early on that it could be damaging for me to not do what I do. Maybe another composer would think that if they don't help out and do the job, and do whatever they asked, they could lose that job. For me, it felt kind of in reverse: I'm afraid that if I'm not allowed to do what I'm supposed to do, it's going to be detrimental.
Track listings as heard in the interview:
PART I
Intro
1. Buon Giorno - The White Lotus: Season 2
2. Exodus/Recovery - Humans
3. Out of His Fucking Mind - Smile
Body
1. Pool Walk - The White Lotus: Season 1
2. Dinner - The White Lotus: Season 1
3. Sabotage - The White Lotus: Season 1
4. Wake Up! - The White Lotus: Season 1
5. Special Chosen Baby Child - The White Lotus: Season 1
6. Welcome to America - The White Lotus: Season 1
7. Aloha (Main Title Theme) - The White Lotus: Season 1
8. Honeymoon - The White Lotus: Season 1
9. Renaissance (Main TItle Theme) - The White Lotus: Season
10. Rinascimento - The White Lotus: Season 2
11. Devious - National Treasure
12. Pianissimo - The White Lotus: Season 2
13. Ten Second Agony - Smile
14. Laura Smile - Smile
15. Doing to Themselves - Smile
Outro
Bekki on Pills (Pt. 2) - Utopia
PART II
Intro
1. Bring Her Back - Humans
2. Parousia - The Third Day: Summer
Body
1. Ocean Call - The White Lotus: Season 1
2. Dislocated Thumbs (Pt. 2) - Utopia
3. Jessica Gets Off - Utopia
4. A God’s Name - The Third Day: Summer
5. I Remember Everything (Kids) - National Treasure
Outro
Renaissance (Main TItle Theme) [Extended Version] - The White Lotus: Season 2