Bustle Mixtape
The film & TV composer reflects on his inspirations, culture, andGame of Thrones.
Maybe that’s actually what made me go into film music.
Every meal, we had the radio on.
But Djawadi almost chose a very different professional path.
My dad was a doctor, and I was supposed to become a doctor, he says.
Ultimately, Djawadi decided to follow his passion and enrolled at Berklee College of Music.
It’s 10 years that I’ve been working in this world.
And withHouse of the Dragons popularity, hes poised to spend even more time in Westeros.
Sonically, it’s very close to the original sound.
The cello is still the primary instrument in general.
And I’ve introduced some new instruments.
There are some ethnic bamboo flutes that I’m using.
There are some woodwinds here and there for texture.
Can you walk us through the choice to use the sameGame of Thronestheme forHouse of the Dragon?
And the same is the case in [House of the Dragon].
So thats why we felt like, Why not?
But then I have written so many new themes and motifs.
It’s kind of cool to have that option.
Obviously, were using the Dragon Theme here and there because that’s another theme for the Targaryens.
Do you have a favorite theme from right now ofHouse of the Dragon?
I’ve always struggled with finding a favorite.
There are several themes that surround [Rhaenyra].
Whenever it comes to those, I get really excited.
And then there are two other themes that, depending on the setting, get used for her.
How does scoring a game differ from scoring a film or show?
So you’re asked to write two minutes of tension or two minutes of action and capture the mood.
From 2017 to 2019, you conducted theGame of ThronesLive Concert Experience.
Did you enjoy touring?
Would you consider a concert series forHouse of the Dragon?
I absolutely loved it.
It was always a dream of mine to go on tour.
Before I got into the film business, I played in bands and I performed.
I love that it’s such a different thing than being in a studio and writing.
Being in front of an audience is very special.
We did a European tour.
We did the U.S. tour.
I never imagined that it would have been on that scale.
We had a different orchestra in almost every city.
So meeting all these musicians and working with them and rehearsing, it was a blast.
Doing it withHouse of the Dragon?
I guess it’s a little bit too early to tell.
You know, were one season in.
But never say never.
OnSquid Game& Being A 80s Kid
What score do you wish you had written?
I got inspired by Elmer Bernstein’sMagnificent Seven[soundtrack].
Thats when I discovered the whole world of film music that really inspired me.
And then, of course, John WilliamsStar Wars.
What are your favorite TV shows right now?
Squid Gamewas something I went crazy for.
I was hooked every night, I had to watch it.
But other than that, I’m way behind.
What was the first album you bought?
I don’t know the name, but it was a compilation album of 80s pop songs.
All the music right now is based on the 80s.
On Synesthesia & Writing Music With His Kids
Youre from Germany and of Iranian descent.
Does your heritage impact your compositions at all?
Oh, big time.
When I write music, I never really think about it.
You just do it [laughs].
I’ve always struggled with explaining my process.
I was heavily surrounded by classical music, Western music, and pop music.
Then I got into rock music, but my dad also listened to Middle Eastern music.
I don’t speak the language, but the instrumental violin music really influenced me.
In Middle Eastern music, a lot of the rhythms are in 3/4 and 6/8.
It’s not the 4/4 rhythm thats common in Western music.
I’ve noticed when I write my music that a lot of it is in those meters.
The main title forGame of Thronesis in 6/8, and theWestworldmain title is in 12/8.
So there’s a lot of those subdivision rhythms that naturally come out of me.
What colors do you see in theHouse of the Dragonopening title score?
It doesn’t work like that exactly.
It’s very tricky to explain.
I didn’t think about this before.
And I said, Well, this is this color, and this triggers that.
I didn’t even know there was a term for that, actually.
I associate colors with notes or keys.
ForHouse of the Dragon, there’s a lot of red and yellow and orange.
C, for me, is red.
So that tends to guide me to red a lot.
But it’s not as simple as just a single note, obviously.
Maybe that’s why I ended up with film music because I write to visuals a lot.
So having all these colors is a big inspiration for me.
Whats your most unexpected source of inspiration when writing music?
It changes quite a bit.
Right now, its my kids.
They’re so into music.
We bounce musical ideas back and forth all day long.
I might have to co-credit them at some point.
When they come into my studio, well start tinkering.
I do this thing with my son where we sit at the piano together and write music.
How old are they?
Theyre twins a boy and a girl.
Theyre going to be 9 in November.
Thats such a great age because their imaginations are boundless.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
Top Image Credits: Matt Martin, HBO
