SUNSET BABY: Music Spotlight (feat. Sound Designer Larry Fowler, Jr.)
Hello, Azuka friends and family —
When I read the script for Sunset Baby, the first thing that stood out to me was a dedication in Dominique Morisseau’s playwright’s note. She lists her inspirations for the play and names one inspiration as “most important” — Tupac Shakur.
“He would’ve been in his forties now,” Morisseau writes, “were he not a victim of gun violence in 1996. I was always deeply moved by his thoughtful yet contradictory music. One minute he’d be an intelligent orator breaking down the poverty-mentality of a lost generation, and the next he’d be the contributor to a violent generational abyss. How can my generation be so brilliant and so self-destructive at the same time?”
The paragraph stood out to me because I knew that music played an important role in the script — particularly Nina Simone, after whom the central character is named — but I didn’t know how deeply.
That’s why I knew I needed to talk to our Sound Designer Larry D. Fowler, Jr. about bringing that to life.
Larry D. Fowler, Jr.
There are specific music cues written into this script. Does that make design easier, or does it add more pressure that the playwright already has a vision of the music that you’re tasked with interpreting?
“With this particular piece it is easier to design I would say. The music is so specific to the storyline that it scores the play; it's the theme music to the main character, Nina. The pressure was not in interpretation of the scripted music, but in how to artistically use the music to match the direction and follow the arc of the story. It became a nice ballet of direction, light, and sound.”
How did you expand on that musical vocabulary of Morisseau’s world in the design process? What other music — besides what’s in the script — were you listening to during the process that connected you with the show, and how does it connect?
“Expanding on the vocabulary took many turns. Even after the dance I still feel like there is another sonic version of the show to be created. I did however manufacture some textures in the key of the Nina songs that became the under current for our other characters and situations. These other textures helped us fuse the text of the script with the text of the songs in a way that felt organic. Music that was helping me along the way were by artist like Camille Yarbrough, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common, Biggie, Tupac, Dead Prez, Nas, Jay-Z, Nina Simone Remixes, music of the Black Liberation Movement, and much much more. It all connects to the idea and ultimate goal of getting free, finding truth, finding peace and experiencing love within.”
Do you have a favorite piece of music you got to listen to in the process or work into the show?
“Yes. Nina Simone: ‘Love Me or Leave Me’ was my favorite to listen to in the show. As far as work into the show, there are a couple of nuggets sprinkled throughout that I don't want to give away so here's an assignment. Check the playlist out, see the show (you might have to see it a few times ;) ), and see if you can pick them out.”
Larry was kind enough to provide this playlist of musical inspiration for Sunset Baby.
I’ve also previously asked Victoria Aaliyah Goins and Eric Carter (who play Nina and Damon in the show) and director Amina Robinson about their favorite pieces of music from Nina Simone and Tupac Shakur. Revisit their interviews (linked to their names above) and see their responses collected below.
Amina Robinson
“I love Nina Simone's version of ‘Pirate Jenny’ from Threepenny Opera!”
Victoria Goins
“These are the type of artists where I can't choose just one song, but here are my top two.
Nina Simone: ‘Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood’ and ‘Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter’
Nina helps me to drop into the contradicting duality of Nina. Nina Simone radiates with power, however, there is a vulnerability that sometimes gets revealed in her music. Its the same for Nina the character. The tough exterior serves as a defense mechanism for her pain and the mask is only lifted when she wants it to be.
2Pac Shakur: ‘Dear Mama’ and ‘California Love’”
Eric Carter
“I am a fan of Tupac Shakur. He was one of our soldiers who had political conscience in the masses. My favorite song is called ‘Against All Odds.’ Damon is exactly what Tupac was talking about. Rebel against the totem pole social structure that keeps the social junk at the bottom.”
The show’s rich musical vocabulary and context is one of my favorite parts of it; like Larry said — be sure to pay attention and see what you can pick out when you see the show, which runs until the 24th. Speaking of — have you made your Pay What You Decide reservations?
If you’ve seen the show already — do you have a favorite piece of music from it? Or a favorite from any of the artists above? Leave a comment below! And thanks for checking in.