LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ CineMedia Promotions) AMC's new drama, "Low Winter Sun," which is co-produced by Endemol Studios and AMC Studios, premieres on AMC Sunday, August 11 at 10:00pm ET/PT, will feature original music by composer Tyler Bates (Watchmen, TV's Californication, God of War Ascension video game) and a performance by American R&B legend, Bettye LaVette. The series, set in Detroit, features the new song "Hustlin' In The Motor City," co-written by Bates, Nan Vernon, series creator Chris Mundy, and
Detroit soul legend Bettye LaVette who performs the song for the main title sequence.
For "Low Winter Sun" Bates matched the gritty themes with a gritty sonic palette to heighten the tension of the story. Bates wrote a large volume of music during production - essentially creating a music library that the show's editors have worked with from the beginning of post-production. This approach has been Bates' modus operandi in effort to shape the feel and pacing of the series with its distinctive sound.
"Tyler is a creative force in the music industry and the perfect choice to provide the gritty, edgy score that 'Low Winter Sun' needed," said Chris Mundy. "I loved working with him on the main title theme and think he did a fantastic job on the whole series, echoing each character's struggle musically."
"With
Detroit currently in a crisis state bordering an apocalypse, the show calls for a sound that blurs the lines between music and the hollow din of the scarcely populated Motor City," commented Bates.
To perform on the title track, Bates assembled an all-star team including Justin Meldal-Johnsen on bass (Beck/NIN, producer Paramore, M83, Neon Trees),
Roger Manning on keyboards (Beck, Jellyfish), and Scott Seiver on drums (Pete Yorn). For the vocals - he turned to
Detroit native and renowned R&B singer Bettye LaVette.
"When I first discussed the possibility of writing the title track for the show, Chris
Mundy said that in an ideal world Bettye LaVette would be singing a song in a
Detroit club for the opening credits. One thing led to the next and Chris asked me to write the title track. I thought it would be fitting if Chris wrote the lyrics for the song, given his deep affection and concern for the city. One week later we were in the studio with Bettye LaVette cutting 'Hustlin' In The Motor City.'"
"I am so thrilled to have been asked to sing this song representing my home town. It's been very hard to watch my city die before my eyes and I am so pleased that this show is set here. Perhaps it will help us to get back on our feet and on our way. Being on this television set was the most exciting thing that has happened to me since learning how to tap dance with Cab Calloway," said LaVette.
"Low Winter Sun" is a co-production between Endemol Studios and AMC Studios. Chris
Mundy ("Criminal Minds," "Cold Case") serves as writer, executive producer and showrunner on the project which stars Mark Strong (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy, Zero Dark Thirty), Lennie
James ("The Walking Dead," "Jericho," Snatch),
James Ransone ("
The Wire"),
Ruben Santiago-Hudson (American Gangster, "Castle"), Sprague Grayden (Paranormal Activity, "Prime Suspect"),
Athena Karkanis ("
Supernatural"), Billy Lush ("Generation Kill") and
David Costabile ("Breaking Bad").
Set in Detroit, "Low Winter Sun" is a contemporary story of murder, deception, revenge and corruption in a world where the line between cops and criminals is blurred. This gritty, edgy and provocative crime drama begins with an act of retribution -- the murder of a dirty cop by two fellow
Detroit detectives, Frank Agnew (Strong) and Joe Geddes (James). Seemingly the perfect crime, in reality the murder activates forces that will forever alter Agnew's life, and pull him into the heart of the
Detroit underworld. The series is based on the 2006 award-winning British two-part mini-series of the same name written by
Simon Donald and produced by Tiger Aspect Productions (an Endemol Company). In addition to Mundy, Jeremy Gold, Head of Creative Affairs for Endemol Studios, oversees the project with Greg Brenman, head of drama for Tiger Aspect. The project is represented by CAA.
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ABOUT TYLER BATES
Los Angeles born composer Tyler Bates' profound ability to create new worlds of atmospheric soundscapes fused with traditional orchestra led to groundbreaking scores for Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead and 300 films. Transcending pop culture, 300 sold nearly 400,000 albums, making it one of the most popular score albums of the 21st century.
Bates' authentic approach drew the attention of
James Gunn, which led to scores for Gunn's horror-comedy Slither, and his comically tragic superhero classic, Super. Notable filmmakers continue to seek Tyler's talent, including Joe Johnston,
William Friedkin, and rock icon director Rob Zombie, with whom he collaborated on several films including two Halloween films, The Devil's Rejects, Zombie's slapstick cartoon The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, as well as string arrangements on his album Hellbilly Deluxe2: Noble Jackal.
Successful titles such as Army of Two: 40th Day, Transformers: War for Cybertron, and the 2013 smash, God of War Ascension, has established Tyler Bates as one of today's top composers for video games in addition to his film and television work. The authenticity of his music attracted the attention of Atlanta bred DJ, Le Castle Vania. An instant connection was made when the two artists met, resulting in collaborations on Le Castle Vania's forthcoming release on Mousetrap/EMI records, founded by world renown electronic artist, Deadmau5e.
Influenced by years of touring as a musician/guitarist/producer, Bates has created a specific musical sound which attracted the ear of Californication creator Tom Kapinos, and has led to seven seasons of one of Showtime's most revered series. Steeped in sex, drugs and rock & roll, Tyler's collaborations on the show extended to rock legends Marilyn Manson, Steve Jones, Tommy Lee, and rock & roll comic satirist, Tim Minchin. His upcoming film projects include The Sacrament, which will premiere at the Venice Film Festival and then at Toronto Film Festival later this year.
ABOUT BETTYE LaVETTE
Two time Grammy nominee Bettye LaVette is no mere singer. Bettye is an interpreter of the highest order. Whether the song originated as country, rock, pop, or blues, when she gets through with it, it is pure R&B. She gets inside a song and shapes and twists it to convey all of the emotion that can be wrought from the lyric.
She was born Betty Jo Haskin on January 29,1946, in Muskegon, Michigan. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Bettye did not get her start in the church, but was weaned on the C&W and R&B records of the time that were playing on the juke box in her parent's living room.
In 1962, at 16, she became Bettye LaVette. Her first single was "My Man—He's a Loving Man" on Atlantic Records. The record charted #7 R&B and put her on her first national tour, with Ben E. King, Clyde McPhatter, and other Atlantic stars of the time.
She worked alongside Charles "Honi" Coles, and Cab Calloway in the Toni Award winning Broadway musical, "Bubbling Brown Sugar" in the role of Sweet Georgia Brown
Her CD, A Woman Like Me won the W.C. Handy Award in 2004 for "Comeback Blues Album of the Year". She was given a prestigous Pioneer Award by The Rhythm & Blues Foundation.
In 2005, she signed with ANTI- Records and released the critically acclaimed CD, I've Got MY Own Hell To Raise, consisting of songs that were written by women. 2007 brought her together with alt-rock group
Drive-By Truckers for the Grammy nominated CD, The Scene of The Crime.
She has received the Blues
Music Award for ‚Best Contemporary Female Blues Singer‚. She performed a critically acclaimed version of "Love Reign O'er Me" at The Kennedy Center Honors in a tribute to The Who. A critical favorite, she performed "
A Change Is Gonna Come" with Jon
Bon Jovi for President elect Barack Obama on HBO's telecast of the kick-off Inaugural Celebratory concert, We Are One.
Her CD, Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook garnered a second Grammy nomination.
In 2012 she released both a new album, Thankful N' Thoughtful, and her autobiography, A Woman Like Me, written with
David Ritz, which is currently in development as a motion picture in partnership woth with John Wells' company and Alicia Keys' company.
