Where ‘The Daily’ Gets Its Music

Overview

This episode takes listeners behind the scenes of The Daily, focusing on the music that shapes the podcast's unique sound. Dan Powell and Marion Lozano, the in-house composers, share insights into their creative process, the elements that define The Daily sound, and how they collaborate with producers to enhance storytelling through music.

Notable Quotes

- The DNA of all Daily music comes from one place, which is the theme song. It feels like breaking news. It feels like current events. It feels like the now that is happening. – Dan Powell, on the essence of The Daily sound.

- I like to think of music in podcasts as a highlighter... to keep it interesting, but not distracting at the same time. – Marion Lozano, on the role of music in storytelling.

- Everything I learned about podcast music, I learned from club music. And I'm only half kidding. – Dan Powell, on the parallels between podcast and dance music.

🎵 The DNA of The Daily Sound

- Dan Powell explains that the theme song, composed by Wonderly, serves as the foundation for all Daily music. It embodies momentum, propulsiveness, and a sense of current events.

- The instrumentation—strings, electric bass, and electric piano—creates a sound that feels urgent and relevant.

- Tracks like Looking for Answers by Marion Lozano and The Unmaking by Dan Powell are examples of the Daily-esque sound, characterized by minimalism, reflective tones, and a focus on complementing the narrative without overshadowing it.

🎧 The Art of Subtlety in Podcast Music

- Both composers emphasize the importance of creating music that enhances the story without distracting from it.

- Marion Lozano describes podcast music as a highlighter, helping to draw listeners back into the narrative during explanatory moments.

- Dan Powell highlights the balance between repetition and variation, ensuring the music remains engaging but not intrusive.

🎹 Experimentation and Breaking the Mold

- While much of their work adheres to The Daily sound, both composers enjoy experimenting with different genres.

- Dan Powell shared how his interest in dance and techno music influenced tracks like 45 Hydra, which was unexpectedly used in an episode about the WeWork founder.

- Marion Lozano discussed creating a '90s hip-hop-inspired track, Bed-Stuy, which, though originally intended for an unaired episode, reflects her love for hip-hop and R&B.

🎼 Collaboration and Trust in the Creative Process

- The composers and producers work in tandem, with producers selecting tracks from a library of music created by the composers.

- Michael Simon Johnson noted the mutual trust between the teams, as producers interpret and use the music in ways that may differ from the composers' original vision.

- Both Powell and Lozano appreciate the creative freedom they have to explore different sounds, even when they deviate from the typical Daily style.

🎶 The Functional Role of Podcast Music

- The composers view their work as a tool to support storytelling, rather than as standalone pieces.

- Dan Powell compared podcast music to dance music, noting that both require a balance of repetition and subtle variation to maintain engagement without becoming distracting.

- The ultimate goal is to create music that feels like a natural extension of the narrative, enhancing the listener's experience without drawing attention away from the story.