Sturgill Simpson to Perform the Theme Song to New HBO Series “Vinyl”
On February 14th, HBO will debut a new, 10-episode series called Vinyl. The series is set in New York in the 1970’s and follows a record executive named Richie Finestra (played by Bobby Cannavale) as he tries to save his ailing music label. With executive producers Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger and Terence Winter, a six-figure music budget for each episode, and the track record of HBO for launching world-class and critically-acclaimed television franchises, the anticipation for the Vinyl series is already very high.
Each episode of the new series is said to include as many as 30 songs, and each song is said to be painstakingly recorded or vetted to make sure it fits not just the vibe, but the recording techniques and instrumentation of the 70’s era the television show is set in. The music supervisors for the show are Randall Poster and Meghan Currier, with the all-star executive producers weighing in heavily on the music selections as well.
To bring the music of Vinyl to life, the production team has partnered with Atlantic Records and sister label Warner Bros., and each episode will coincide with a soundtrack release. Though the series won’t only feature music from these labels, the Atlantic/Warner catalog will be the focus.
The theme song for the series will be performed by recent Atlantic Records signee Sturgill Simpson. His song “Sugar Daddy” will spearhead the musical series and soundtrack.
“It had to serve a larger purpose than something that was just episodic,” says the series’ music supervisor Randall Poster, who said they cast a wide net to find the perfect song for the theme. “It’s not that it serves as a narrative. Sturgill just captured this spirit of rock and roll. It feels classic and contemporary.”
One of the ideas around Vinyl is to use the show to create a curated musical experience that will coincide with the release of the soundtracks. “We’re on the verge of punk rock, we’re on the verge of disco, we’re getting the first hint of what will be rap, but you can’t jump the gun. CBGB isn’t open get[sic]. How do you set the stage for this revolutionary moment?” says Randall Poster about setting the show in a specific musical period.
Along with Bobby Cannavale, Vinyl also stars Olivia Wilde, Juno Temple, Ray Romano, Andrew “Dice” Clay and and Mick Jagger’s son, James.
Vinyl: Music From the HBO Original Series – Volume 1 will be released on February 12th, and will include the first new song from Sturgill Simpson since the release of his 2014 album Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.
Track List:
1. Ty Taylor – The World Is Yours
2. David Johansen – Personality Crisis
3. Kaleo – No Good
4. Sturgill Simpson – Sugar Daddy (Theme from Vinyl)
5. Ruth Brown – Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean
6. Otis Redding – Mr. Pitiful
7. Dee Dee Warwick – Suspicious Minds
8. Mott the Hoople – All The Way From Memphis
9. David Johansen – Stranded In The Jungle
10. Chris Kenner – I Like It Like That
11. Ty Taylor – Cha Cha Twist
12. The Jimmy Castor Bunch – It’s Just Begun
13. Soda Machine – Want Ads
14. The Meters – Hand Clapping Song
15. Soda Machine Slippin’ Into Darkness
16. Edgar Winter – Frankenstein
17. Nasty Bits – Rotten Apple
18. Foghat – I Just Want To Make Love To You
Mule
January 15, 2016 @ 6:50 pm
I’ve been looking forward to this and now it just got even more amazing!
Michael
January 15, 2016 @ 7:21 pm
Damn it. I just read the other day that Sturgill was irrelevant.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
January 15, 2016 @ 8:18 pm
I think in the greater Country Music sense his star has burned out. Stapleton moved in to occupy Sturgill’s niche in the genre, and while I think his creative output will continue to amaze, I think his commercial viability is waning.
The same thing happened to Jamey Johnson. He waited too long, other people came in and filled his space in the genre, and if and when he releases new music, people won’t pay attention in large numbers.
DT25
January 15, 2016 @ 11:09 pm
He probably has lost appeal with all the people who have short attention spans, which includes most of America. For real fans he won’t. I’ve been eagerly waiting for his next album since Metamodern, and while I’ve discovered new artists that I like since then (including Stapleton), it doesn’t change my interest in his future music.
Briley81
January 18, 2016 @ 2:45 am
Mark my Words. Stapleton is amazing. But a pawn, making way for the ones that have been killing themselves on the road for years waiting for the right time. It is now. Just as VINYL wraps well be VERY close to Sturgills New album dropping. Stapleton Buzz will have slowed down. Sturg will be fine. You can’t compare him to Jamey Johnson. We as fans are just impatient. But No-one in the industry has forgotten about him or see him as irrelevant trust that. They are either in awe or TERRIFIED He has been on tour for two years straight. Adding instruments dialing in on his vision. That is NOT what Jamey Johnson has been doing.
Jack Williams
January 18, 2016 @ 9:09 am
He has been on tour for two years straight.
Exactly. He has not been resting on his laurels. He has toured like hell on MMSICM. I saw him three times after the release of MMSICM in a period of 13 months, starting in August 2014. All shows sold out. The venue for the August show has a capacity 500 people. In February 2015, the venue capacity was 1200 people. In September 2015, the venue capacity was 1250, but he played two shows there. So, 2500 tickets sold. And the intensity and sheer happiness of those crowds was something else.
If his new album comes out in the summer, that will be roughly 2 years after MMSICM, which is a reasonable amount of time and about the same as the period between Isbell’s Southeastern and SMTF. Also, I think Sturgill is playing a little bit different game than Chris Stapleton. For example, he’s not on a Music Row label.
Stringbuzz
January 18, 2016 @ 8:06 am
Sturgill star has burnt out?
Do you ever get out, go to shows, or talk with people?
Sturgill just concluded a whirlwind of a tour. He played some of the best festivals and places.
Damn, he was just in GQ.
I even hear him on the Juke Box now..
I think he is fine.
You have nothing good to say.
Briley81
January 18, 2016 @ 9:44 am
Sturgill has Arguably one of the best hand picked promo/management/production teams assembled right now. They know exactly what they are doing. Watch what unfolds the next 6 months. He is poised VERY WELL. I mean He still has 2 albums out in the last 3 years. And when metamodern came out he almost RE started touring HTM He was one of 2 artist in 2014 to have 2 albums in the too 50 on itunes.
Nadia Lockheart
January 16, 2016 @ 1:17 am
I think it is way too premature to state that his influence in the country music community is on the wane.
The reception to his third album will be a key indicator. Sturgill is clearly bored of sticking to a particular sound and can’t stay put in the same place for too long, so we may very well see him seek new pastures. But if the quality is maintained (which I’m confident it will), I predict not all but many of his fans will give him the benefit of the doubt and continue to follow him out of respect for maintaining an air of authenticity. And sometimes, that’s enough.
“Metamodern Sounds in Country Music” could very well turn out to be an early career peak for him, but I just can’t picture him falling into oblivion at the snap of a finger. And even commercially, it isn’t a tall order hoping to top “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music”. It was an impressive steady seller, but I think he has a sure shot at topping 160,000 units for his forthcoming release by the end of its chart run.
He’ll remain influential either way.
ElectricOutcast
January 15, 2016 @ 7:54 pm
Ray Romano on an HBO show? Guess somebody wants to get an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Too bad I don’t actually have HBO right now otherwise I’d watch this thing.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
January 15, 2016 @ 8:24 pm
Oh gosh I remember hearing The Jimmy Castor Bunch when I was in college. Cave Man was the grooviest.
It sounds like there won’t be much Country Music represented, so at the least this will be a good chance to place some bets concerning the direction of Sturgill’s music.
hoptowntiger94
January 15, 2016 @ 9:22 pm
Two thoughts:
1. I thought about what the theme song for True Blood, “Bad Things,” did for Jace Everett.
2. I’m hoping this show is Boadwalk Empire-like (a former Winter and Scorsese project). They did a great job with the music on that show mixing old music from the 20’s and 30’s with new artists, like Regina Spektor, covers and originals.
Lil Dale
January 16, 2016 @ 2:48 am
grate minds thank a like http://dailycaller.com/2016/01/13/this-huge-country-star-just-revealed-the-republican-shes-supporting-for-president/
scottinnj
January 16, 2016 @ 5:02 pm
HBO’s recent show “The Leftovers” theme song was sung by Iris DeMent, so not like the 1st time they have gone for roots/American/whatever. Nice for her but not like it totally lifted her career. HBO has done a good job on theme songs – someone above mentioned “Bad Things”…..”Woke Up This Morning” from The Sopranos is another great one (not country but a great song as well as the great scene along NJ this Jersey Boy liked)
Trigger
January 16, 2016 @ 5:29 pm
I think the difference here is that “Vinyl” is purposefully looking to make music a major quotient to the series, and facilitate the sales of songs and the promotion of artists through soundtrack releases. It could be a big boost for all the music featured, but we’ll have to see. ABC’s “Nashville” has tried a similar thing, and the results have been decent, but certainly haven’t launched any new careers.
Niceverything
January 23, 2016 @ 4:14 pm
Oh my jeans are soooo tight right now; I can’t breathe. Sturgills new R&B album will surely blow all of our socks off. I mean come on he and Dave (Cobb) obviously know what’s up. I hope all you fake ass fans hate it. Powerful Sturgill Simpson
JtheViking
February 5, 2016 @ 3:45 pm
If only I could listen to this song right now… I guess life ain’t fair and the world is mean.