Dan Deacon announces Rat Film (Original Soundtrack)

Dan Deacon announces Rat Film (Original Soundtrack)

Domino Soundtracks is proud to present its inaugural release, an original soundtrack recording from Dan Deacon of the provocative essay-film Rat Film, to be released on October 13, 2017.

Much as Theo Anthony’s film uses rat infestation in Baltimore, the city both he and Deacon call home, as a starting point from which to probe deeply entangled issues of race and class, Deacon’s bold and beautiful score, takes the listener on an exploratory sensory trip through the city streets.

For the soundtrack, made in close collaboration with director Theo Anthony as he built and refined the film’s edit, Deacon drew inspiration from recent scores such as Mica Levi’s Under the Skin and Mark Korven’s The Witch, as well as Philip Glass’ raw early work North Star. To accompany the announcement, watch the “Making of the Score” feature that highlights music from the soundtrack and features Deacon discussing how his use of rats contributed to the making of the score below.    

Rat Film marks Deacon’s first full record devoted to modern composition. In between his four ecstatic electronic-pop albums, Deacon has frequently flexed the 21st-century classical muscles he first developed studying at SUNY Purchase’s Conservatory of Music. He’s provided soundtracks for film and stage giants ranging from Francis Ford Coppola’s Twixt to New York City Ballet’s presentation of Justin Peck’s “The Times Are Racing.” Deacon’s array of compositional commissions includes pieces with Kronos Quartet at Lincoln Center, Sigur Rós at the L.A. Philharmonic, and So Percussion at the Barbican Centre. 

Rat Film offers the first recorded document of this parallel career—and both as a self-contained album and a companion piece to an equally potent film, it astounds.

After premiering at Locarno Film Festival and SXSW Film Festival among other key international festivals, Rat Film will be released theatrically ‪on September 15th in New York (The Film Society of Lincoln Center) , Baltimore ( the Parkway) and Chicago (Facets) with a Los Angeles and national release to follow.  Rat Film will also be available on digital platforms ‪on Oct 3, 2017. Watch the official trailer for Rat Film here.  Find all screenings here.   

On Domino Soundtracks: 

From Alex Turner's indelible soundtrack for Richard Ayode's Submarine, to Dev Hynes's work with Gia Copolla on Palo Alto and most recently Julia Holter's debut score work for major Hollywood production Bleed For This, Domino artists have increasingly found their compositions making their way to the big screen. Domino Soundtracks is a new imprint to provide a specific home to, and increased exposure for, work that can often be over-looked once the end credits have rolled. The series begins with Dan Deacon's awe-inspiring soundtrack to fellow Baltimore based artist Theo Anthony’s critically acclaimed debut documentary feature Rat Film.

Rat Film (Original Soundtrack) is available to pre-order on CD, limited edition “rat hair” colored vinyl, and limited edition pink colored cassette now through Domino. The release will also be available on digital platforms on October 13, 2017. 

1. Redlining

2. Horn Phase

3. Pelican

4. OCME

5. Harold

6. Reed Clouds

7. Seagull

8. Calhoun

9. Rat Poison

10. Video Game

11. Harold’s Lament

12. Map Overlays