On this episode of Geektown Talks To…, Dave Elliott sits down in person with composer Fil Eisler for an eighth interview, five years after their last conversation.
Fil has created the music for a huge range of film and television projects, including Revenge, Empire, UnREAL, Thunder Force and The Desperate Hour. His latest work includes Netflix’s Outer Banks, CBS dramas Fire Country and Sheriff Country, and the fantasy film Momo.
During the interview, Fil discusses bringing Outer Banks to an end after five seasons, how its music grew alongside the Pogues, and the unusual instrument behind one of the show’s most recognisable themes. He also talks about expanding the world of Fire Country through Sheriff Country, giving the spin-off its own more acoustic identity and encouraging UK viewers to “spot the dulcimer”.
The conversation also explores Fil’s deeply personal connection to Momo and the creation of its end-title song, “Time Is All We Have”, with Sam Ryder. That leads to stories from a songwriting retreat near Glastonbury, rediscovering his songwriting muscles and discovering that Sam apparently possesses an inexhaustible supply of energy.
Elsewhere, Fil takes us around his Los Angeles studio and its collection of guitars, vintage synths, homemade instruments and things which make strange noises when attached to large pieces of metal. There is also a detour into his years touring with Robbie Williams, why he only managed around five minutes of Netflix’s Robbie documentary.
Finally, Fil shares his candid thoughts on AI-generated music, why the creative process matters more than simply producing an end result, and the importance of keeping music, film and art connected to actual human beings.
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