Movies are pretty cool. And movies with killer soundtracks are even better. So we thought who better to judge a movie soundtrack than the talented Sydney-based indie-pop artist SMALLS, who has just dropped his debut single ‘Tail Lights’.
Produced and mixed by Lewis Mitchell (Birds of Tokyo, JOY, The Jezabels), ‘Tail Lights’ is a sophisticated slice of sprawling indie-pop. Taking cues from luminaries The 1975, LANY and Japanese Wallpaper, the track is championed by reverb-soaked guitars, bright percussion and swaying bass alongside SMALLS endearing, soaring vocals.
To celebrate the track (which would be perfectly suited to a coming-of-age or a romantic drama film), SMALLS gives us his top five movie soundtracks.
Back to The Future Trilogy
Honestly, could you imagine a DeLorean burning up the tarmac to the sound of anyone other than Huey Lewis? Huey has a way of blending Soul, Rock and Roll and New Wave into this smooth, lazy, working class persona. The perfect fit for the story of the working class McFly family. Marty shredding through Johnny B. Goode also made me pick up the guitar for the first time, so that’s a juicy piece of trivia that you’ll probably never be asked.
Into The Wild
I don’t think anybody was expecting Eddie Vedder to make such an impact with his work in this movie. I think it’s a great reminder that movies don’t need a big music production, sometimes you just need a voice and a guitar.
Champions (The Mighty Ducks)
Queen? Marky Mark? Inspiring orchestral masterpieces? Put your hands in the center and chant quack.
American Pie 1 and 2.
I just want to wear cargo shorts, get frosted tips and… maybe not join a ska band just yet. Needless to say, I don’t think we’ll ever see another popular movie with Blink 182, Weezer and Sum 41 setting the tone.
Easy Rider
I re-watched this movie recently in an attempt to cure the COVID boredom and it was like going back in a time machine. Not to the 70s, but to the 90s and 2000s when my Dad used to sit myself and my two brothers down and watch all the big titles from his era. These days, cruising Route 66 on a Harley chopper will forever be a bucket list item for me.
Check it out ‘Tail Lights’ below.
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