Simon Boswell
Encyclopedia
Simon Boswell is a BAFTA nominated British
film score
composer
, conductor
, producer
and musician
, with more than 90 credits to his name. He is known for combining mainly electronic elements with orchestral.
, Boswell studied English Literature at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Playing the guitar since the age of 12, he was an accomplished guitarist and was signed by Transatlantic Records in 1975 whilst still at college. This led to the release of his first solo album, "The Mind Parasites", a collection of contemporary acoustic songs and instrumentals.
He formed the band "Advertising" in 1977, at the beginning of punk rock era. Labelled 'Power Pop', the band was more of an homage to the pop art style of Andy Warhol
and the Velvet Underground. They toured extensively with Blondie
.
After the split of "Advertising", Boswell became a record producer both in the UK and Italy. He produced Italian mega star Renato Zero's album, which became the biggest selling Italian album of all time. Boswell’s record productions from the 1980s have influenced many contemporary musicians – notably the sample of the band 23 Skidoo's "Coup" which became The Chemical Brothers
' "Block Rockin' Beats". After producing two albums for the London band Live Wire he joined the band.
Some Directors that Boswell has worked with include Danny Boyle, Michael Hoffman, Dario Argento, Clive Barker and Alejandro Jodorowsky. Genres of his work in film include Italian exploitation ("Phenomena", "Stage Fright"), contemporary thrillers ("Shallow Grave", "Hackers"), horror flicks ("Lord Of Illusions", "Hardware"), romances and character studies ("Jack and Sarah", "This Year's Love", "Born Romantic"), dramas ("In My Father's Den", "The War Zone", "My Zinc Bed"), fantasies ("Santa Sagre", "Photographing Fairies", "Tin Man") and literary classics ("A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Cousin Bette").
He has also collaborated with many high profile artists on his projects, such as Elton John
, Dolly Parton
and Marianne Faithful.
Established as a live performer as well as working in recording studio, he is accomplished with electronic
and rock
genres, combining these with epic orchestral scores.
Boswell has also worked on two projects with the Vatican. "Santo Subito" was his first project, which was a film collaboration setting the speeches and the singing of Pope John Paul II to Boswell's music and visuals.
Boswell more recently composed for and produced the album "Alma Mater", featuring Pope Benedict XVI. The works on the album combine Gregorian chant along with Western art contemporary music and Middle-Eastern influences, and the album was launched officially at a concert in Westminster Cathedral in November 2009, featuring the Chamber Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome and singer Yasemin Sannino.
, Orbital
, The Sex Pistols and Echo And The Bunnymen. In 1982 he produced and arranged the album "Via Tagliamento 1965-1970" for the popular Italian singer and songwriter Renato Zero
.
In Autumn 2006, his album "Close Your Eyes" was released independently via his own Flick Records after 12 years of work.
Quote: "I cut up my previous scores into bits and re-assembled them as new songs mixing full orchestra with musicians from Blur
and The Kills
and spoken word parts for some of the actors and directors I have worked with along the way – including Ewan McGregor, Ray Winstone, Goran Visnij, Dario Argento and Alejandro Jodorowsky."
2006
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
2003
1999
1998
1994
1987
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
film score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, with more than 90 credits to his name. He is known for combining mainly electronic elements with orchestral.
Biography
An alumnus of the independent Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' SchoolHaberdashers' Aske's Boys' School
The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School is a British independent school for boys aged 4–19. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and of the Haileybury Group....
, Boswell studied English Literature at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Playing the guitar since the age of 12, he was an accomplished guitarist and was signed by Transatlantic Records in 1975 whilst still at college. This led to the release of his first solo album, "The Mind Parasites", a collection of contemporary acoustic songs and instrumentals.
He formed the band "Advertising" in 1977, at the beginning of punk rock era. Labelled 'Power Pop', the band was more of an homage to the pop art style of Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
and the Velvet Underground. They toured extensively with Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
.
After the split of "Advertising", Boswell became a record producer both in the UK and Italy. He produced Italian mega star Renato Zero's album, which became the biggest selling Italian album of all time. Boswell’s record productions from the 1980s have influenced many contemporary musicians – notably the sample of the band 23 Skidoo's "Coup" which became The Chemical Brothers
The Chemical Brothers
The Chemical Brothers are a British electronic music duo comprising Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons. Originating in Manchester in 1991, along with The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, The Crystal Method, and fellow acts, they were pioneers at bringing the big beat genre to the forefront of pop culture.- Background...
' "Block Rockin' Beats". After producing two albums for the London band Live Wire he joined the band.
Film
Boswell's film career started in 1985, and since then he has countless awards from around the world and has been nominated twice for a BAFTA award.Some Directors that Boswell has worked with include Danny Boyle, Michael Hoffman, Dario Argento, Clive Barker and Alejandro Jodorowsky. Genres of his work in film include Italian exploitation ("Phenomena", "Stage Fright"), contemporary thrillers ("Shallow Grave", "Hackers"), horror flicks ("Lord Of Illusions", "Hardware"), romances and character studies ("Jack and Sarah", "This Year's Love", "Born Romantic"), dramas ("In My Father's Den", "The War Zone", "My Zinc Bed"), fantasies ("Santa Sagre", "Photographing Fairies", "Tin Man") and literary classics ("A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Cousin Bette").
He has also collaborated with many high profile artists on his projects, such as Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
and Marianne Faithful.
Established as a live performer as well as working in recording studio, he is accomplished with electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
genres, combining these with epic orchestral scores.
Boswell has also worked on two projects with the Vatican. "Santo Subito" was his first project, which was a film collaboration setting the speeches and the singing of Pope John Paul II to Boswell's music and visuals.
Boswell more recently composed for and produced the album "Alma Mater", featuring Pope Benedict XVI. The works on the album combine Gregorian chant along with Western art contemporary music and Middle-Eastern influences, and the album was launched officially at a concert in Westminster Cathedral in November 2009, featuring the Chamber Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome and singer Yasemin Sannino.
TV
Boswell has composed for BAFTA nominated TV series The Lakes, and collaborated with film-maker Brian Hill and poet Simon Armitage on "Pornography: The Musical" and "Songbirds".Music
Boswell has worked with musicians from bands such as BlurBlur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
, Orbital
Orbital (band)
Orbital are a British electronic dance music duo from Sevenoaks, England consisting of brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll. Their career initially ran from 1989 until 2004, but in 2009 they announced that they would be reforming and headlining The Big Chill, in addition to a number of other live shows...
, The Sex Pistols and Echo And The Bunnymen. In 1982 he produced and arranged the album "Via Tagliamento 1965-1970" for the popular Italian singer and songwriter Renato Zero
Renato Zero
Renato Zero is the stage name of Renato Fiacchini , an Italian singer-songwriter and showman whose career spans a full 6 decades, from the 1960s to the 2010s....
.
In Autumn 2006, his album "Close Your Eyes" was released independently via his own Flick Records after 12 years of work.
Quote: "I cut up my previous scores into bits and re-assembled them as new songs mixing full orchestra with musicians from Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
and The Kills
The Kills
The Kills is a rock band formed by American singer Alison Mosshart and British guitarist Jamie Hince . Their first three albums, Keep On Your Mean Side, No Wow, and Midnight Boom, have garnered much critical praise...
and spoken word parts for some of the actors and directors I have worked with along the way – including Ewan McGregor, Ray Winstone, Goran Visnij, Dario Argento and Alejandro Jodorowsky."
Art
Boswell continues to work on his own unique art project called BLINK!, an audio-visual installation looped to last forever of portraits extracted from news footage, and individually scored with their own soundtracks. This was first exhibited at the ICA in London in 2002 on 4 simultaneous cinema-sized screens.Film credits
2008
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
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1998
1997
1995
1994
1993
1992
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
|
TV credits
2007- Tin ManTin Man (TV miniseries)Tin Man is a 2007 four and a half hour miniseries co-produced by RHI Entertainment and Sci Fi Channel original pictures that was broadcast in the United States on the Sci Fi Channel in three parts. The first part aired on December 2, and the remaining two parts airing on the following nights...
- Nearly Famous (6 episodes)
- Catwalk Dogs
2006
- Jackanory (2 episodes)
- The Magician of Samarkand
- Muddle Earth
2004
- Sea of Souls (2 episodes)
2003
- Pornography: The Musical
2002
- Widows
2001
- Mind Games
2000
- Jason and the Argonauts
1999
- Tube TalesTube TalesTube Tales is a collection of nine short films based on the true-life experiences of London Underground passengers as submitted to Time Out magazine. The stories were scripted and filmed independently of each other...
(segment "Bone")
1998
- Killer Net
Other music credits
2004- In My Father's Den - Music Recordist
2003
- Octane - Soundtrack Producer
1999
- Women Talking Dirty - Music Arranger
- The Debtors - Conductor
1998
- Cousin Bette - Music Arranger and Producer
1994
- Second Best - Music Arranger
- Burn:Cycle - Soundtrack Producer
1987
- Fino alla morte (TV) - Music Arranger