Colter Wall Featured Prominently in New “Deadwood: The Movie” Trailer
If you weren’t already frothing with anticipation for the return of HBO’s Western Series Deadwood in movie form, they’ve figured out how to suck you in even further by activating your country music bone. In the new, official trailer for Deadwood: The Movie, the unmistakable voice of Canadian songwriter and Western tale spinner Colter Wall comes wafting underneath the scenes of drama, deceit, and murder that the Deadwood franchise is famous for. The lonesome plucks from an acoustic guitar followed by the ominous foot falls and hand claps of Colter Wall’s “Sleeping on the Blacktop” make it just about the perfect song to set the mood for the Deadwood relaunch.
“Got this news today while tagging a couple new calves,” Colter Wall said. “‘Deadwood’ was and still is my favourite show/series I’ve ever watched. The writing was always so brilliant, as was the acting. I couldn’t be happier about having one of my tunes in the trailer for the upcoming movie! Thanks HBO. This day just keeps getting better!”
The producers of Deadwood aren’t being entirely original with the pick though. “Sleeping on the Blacktop” was also selected for the soundtrack and trailer for the 2016 modern Western film Hell or High Water, which went on to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The same distinction was awarded to the 2017 dark comedy Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri that also included “Sleeping on the Blacktop” in the official movie trailer.
Colter Wall is the hot hand when looking to set the mood for your film, and it can only help the young man’s name recognition. Just like many independent country and Western artists, Colter Wall doesn’t enjoy the benefit of mainstream radio play or industry awards, and must find alternative avenues to get his music to audiences. From the exposure “Sleeping on the Blacktop” has received already, the song has racked up nearly 15 million streams on Spotify alone, and over 5 million combined views on YouTube. “Sleeping on the Blacktop” comes from Colter Wall’s 2015 debut EP Imaginary Appalachia. Originally from Saskatchewan, Colter has engaged audiences with his one-of-a-kind-voice, and primitive style of folk and Western songwriting.
13 years after the Emmy-winning series ceased production, HBO Films decided to bring the Deadwood franchise back to life, including reuniting most of the original cast to reprise the story 10 years after the moment the series left off. Deadwood: The Movie re-emerges around the declaration of Statehood for South Dakota, and finds the characters reigniting old rivalries while forging new alliances, and trying to navigate the march of modernity, all while employing the salty language the series is known for.
Deadwood ran for three seasons and 36 episodes, and received a whopping 28 Emmy nominations, winning 8 over its run. The discontinuation of the series came as a shock to fans, and it’s considered one of the greatest television franchises ended too early. Original creator David Milch is once again on board, and wrote the movie. It is being directed by Daniel Minahan, know for working on the HBO series Game of Thrones. Production started in late October 2018 in California, and the film received a $4.2 million California Film & TV state tax credit.
Colter Wall is not the only person of interest to roots and Americana fans who participated in the production. Jason Isbell was sighted on the set of the movie back in November of 2018, and is expected to make either a cameo or extra appearance in the film.
Deadwood: The Movie is set to premier on HBO May 31st, 2019.
Michael Feastpuppy
April 25, 2019 @ 6:50 pm
I use it as a guidebook on how to curse proper.
Jayme
April 25, 2019 @ 6:53 pm
It’s so easy to sit up here, jealous as all hell of the amazing music being released south of the Canadian border. Colter Wall (amongst others) redeems us. Glad to see him establishing a bigger and bigger foothold.
Spencer
April 25, 2019 @ 9:33 pm
Don’t forget about The Dead South! Those Canucks can really play.
Bill from Wisconsin
April 25, 2019 @ 7:29 pm
Can’t wait, except now I have to go watch the whole series all over again. Cocksucka!
Brian
April 26, 2019 @ 6:14 am
I was thinking the same thing. I have forgotten so many little details about the show that I am going to have to go back in order to fully enjoy the movie.
Roger
April 25, 2019 @ 7:43 pm
I am so hard for this!!
D Ray White
April 25, 2019 @ 7:49 pm
Swingen! Wu! Heng Dai!
Phil Oxford
April 25, 2019 @ 8:43 pm
Welcome the fuck back
Britt
April 25, 2019 @ 9:52 pm
I discovered Colter from Hell or High Water, so glad to hear that future fans will be getting introduced to him with this trailer and film.
Gina
April 26, 2019 @ 5:35 am
I can’t wait for this. Cocksuckas.
Benjamin
April 26, 2019 @ 7:15 am
I’ve had a question for you Trigger about Colter Wall and since we’re talking about him again, now is as good as time as any to ask I reckon.
After listening to Wall’s 1st release, Imaginary Appalachia, I was instantly hooked. I honesty think from song 1 to song 7 that album is flawless. Then his self-titled album came out and I liked it… probably like a 7/10 for me. Then his latest album came out and I was even less impressed… it’s not bad, but more like a 6/10 for me…
So my question is, haven’t you noticed a considerable difference in Colter Wall’s music since Cobb got on board to produce? Colter’s voice is always incredible, but sonically I feel like his first release was the best sounding and most interesting. I know that an artist has to have a vision and stay true to themselves, but I feel like “Sleeping on the Blacktop” is by far one of the greatest songs in the modern era, and that whole album has that kind of feel. Like “Livin’ on the Sand” And “The Devil Wears a Suit & Tie” those were all incredible country songs that could also very well see commercial appeal without compromising credibility at all (moreso Sleeping on the Blacktop, but you get my point)
I understand not wanting to just rehash and do the same song over and over again, but what started out (to me at least) as a strong, strong country effort with great production (like Caroline, simple but beautiful) has turned into more of a stripped down folksy sound. Not that folksy is a bad thing, I love folk music, but I just wonder if Colter Wall is changing his direction from Imaginary Appalachia or if it has more to do with Cobb producing?
I’ve got a love/hate relationship with Cobb… sometimes I think he’s really good, like with Isbell or O.C.M.S. But other times I feel like his production is completely uninspired like with Stapleton or Lambert…
I’d be interested to get your thoughts on this!
Trigger
April 26, 2019 @ 7:57 am
As I’ve said in all of my Colter Wall reviews, he has an astounding voice, but the production and writing approach that he brings to his music is very niche and has a low ceiling. I don’t mean that as a knock on Colter at all, but he’s not one of these guys who’s going to blow up like Sturgill Simpson because what he does is an acquired taste. I agree the production of his first EP was more imaginative a textured, and that’s why these movies keep gravitating to his old songs as opposed to the new material. I appreciate that Colter is mostly worried about preserving the roots of Western and folk music and not trying to get too far outside of himself. But there is a way to present his music where it feels more fresh and relevant to broaden his audience in my opinion.
Jason
April 28, 2019 @ 1:19 pm
I like all three of his albums but his newest is actually my favorite. It definitely has a simpler production to it but that’s what I love about it. Makes you feel like your sitting around a fire on the plains with him
Also thanks for doing those Spotify playlists you make. I share your top 25 one with everyone I can. Only wish it could be longer because I listen to it so often haha
Benny Lee
April 26, 2019 @ 7:19 am
His voice is so perfect for this stuff.
Robert K
April 26, 2019 @ 11:11 am
Didn’t watch Deadwood, but this might make me do it. I watched Hell or High Water on a whim and was pleased to hear Colter on that soundtrack.
Whiskey_Pete
April 26, 2019 @ 12:04 pm
Very excited for the return of Deadwood. Great TV series. I’m glad they picked Colter Wall over that cocksucker Jason Isbell (joke).
Colters Wall’s voice and sound is perfect for this western.