The chilling atmosphere of True Detective: Night Country isn’t just about its dark setting and intriguing characters – the music plays an equally important role. Composer Vince Pope and Emmy-winning Music Supervisor Susan Jacobs take you on a journey through their unique collaboration for this latest chapter in the iconic series.
Following in the footsteps of legend T Bone Burnett, Pope emphasized a low-key score that makes the cold and isolation of Alaska almost tangible. With special instruments like the Fujara – a Slovakian flute with a mysterious, resonant sound – and the raw voice of Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq, the music balances tension, mysticism and the powerful female energy that drives the story.
In this panel, you’ll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look: How did Pope find his voice within the True Detective legacy? What were the biggest challenges and creative breakthroughs? How do Pope and Jacobs work with the director to capture the perfect atmosphere? Dive into the creative process and discover why this soundtrack is so much more than background music.
Vince Pope
Composer, Beetroot Ltd, UKVince Pope is an award-winning film composer and recording artist. He scored the fourth series of True Detective: Night Country (HBO), starring Jodie Foster, which was nominated for a Royal Television Society award. Other recent credits include Mr Bates vs. The Post Office (ITV), Wolfe (Sky), Riches (ITV/Prime Video), Black Mirror (Netflix/Channel 4), the Aisling Bea and Sharon Horgan comedy drama This Way Up, and Screw (Channel 4).
He scored the multi-award winning Wallander starring Kenneth Branagh and his music for Misfits (Clerkenwell Films for C4) earned him a BAFTA nomination and an RTS Award for Best Original Score. As a recording artist, Vince has released 3 albums and 3 Eps.
Susan Jacobs
Music Supervisor, SueperVision, US/UKIn 2017, Jacobs won the first Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Music Supervision for her work on the HBO drama series Big Little Lies. Her notable projects include American Hustle, Promising Young Woman, Little Miss Sunshine and Silver Linings Playbook. Sue’s extensive portfolio is a testament to her dedication, hard work and creative vision.