You’ll be performing a live score to Xavier Dolan’s film Heartbeats at Oxford Art Factory on Thursday. Have you ever done anything like this before?
Yes, we did this exact performance with HME in Melbourne back in March. That was the first time we’d ever done anything like this. It was a new and challenging experience but we enjoyed it very much.
How predefined is the score, and how much room for improvisation will there be?
It is largely predefined – the dialogue is the main feature for the bulk of the film, but there are sections throughout where the music takes over. We have kept some sections more open to allow for improvisation, but mainly we work with the flow of the film.
Did inspiration come easily once you sat down to watch the film?
Yes, for sure. The existing soundtrack is very good, very strong and interesting. We borrowed some ideas from the original score that we thought were important, but mainly we reinterpreted all of the music and kept it stylistically consistent with what we do as GL.
What can audiences expect to see from the film itself?
Heartbeats is about a love triangle with a twist and the power of friendship. It’s a really nice film and Xavier Dolan is an obscenely talented writer, director and actor.
How does an event like this change the bounds of performance for you as a band?
It is a very different experience to performing as a live band. The film is the centrepiece and we are just there to support it.
GL perform a live soundtrack toHeartbeatsat Oxford Art Factory on Thursday July 14. Visit Hear My Eyes for more info and tickets.
