On June 10 at Largo at the Coronet, a very special musical event was held for Dexter. The concert featured composer Daniel Licht with special guest Rolfe Kent and an introduction from Dexter himself — Michael C. Hall.
Hall told The Hollywood Reporter that he believes that the music plays a key role in the show. “I feel like it’s a fundamental part, as much as any character,” Hall said. “The aural landscape that is created, that Dan creates, that Rolfe creates with his main title music — it really sets the tone for us. It is as a fundamental part of the show as aesthetics.”
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The event was small and casual, full of audience members that were enthralled in the music.
The show featured abstract instruments such as a glockenspiel, theremin, knives, duct tape, wine glasses, saws, and scissors. More traditional instruments such as flutes, violins, guitars, cellos, mandolins, drums and violas were also used.
Licht is known for using unique instruments in his music. “I used a human femur which was an ancient Aztec instrument as a percussion instrument,” Licht told THR. He has also recorded with sacrificial drums.
Licht and his musicians played some of the more well known tracks from Dexter such as “Escalate,” “Truth/Birthday,” “Ice Truck” and what’s known as Licht’s Jaws: “Blood Theme.” New tracks such as “Long Way Home,” written about Lila from the second season, were featured as well.
The concert also premiered a song from the new Silent Hill: Book of Memories with Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and David Poe on vocals. The track, “Now We’re Free,” is an eerie addition to the video game accompanied by emotional vocals. The video game is set to come out this Halloween.
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Film composer Kent made his appearance performing the opening theme, as well as “Remar” from the movie Reign Over Me.
The end of the concert received a standing ovation.
It will be interesting to see what music the new season of Dexter brings. Licht said that in each season, there’s a new villain or love interest who brings a new series of sounds and a whole new language and themes. Licht uses different instruments for different people, but there’s always a basic musical core sound to the series. When asked about the music in the upcoming season, Licht said, “I don’t know, I don’t actually work on the show. I see it when they cut it. I don’t like to read the scripts so I am going to be surprised [by] what is going to happen. But I will try and make it exciting.”
Dexter fans will just have to wait to see what new music Licht brings to the seventh season, debuting on Sunday, Sept. 30.
Below is a set list of the performance. All pieces are from Dexter unless noted otherwise.
1. Escalate
2. Truth/Birthday
3. Wink/Perfect
4. New Legs
5. Epilogue
6. Changed/Wedding
7. Open
8. Now We’re Free (from “Silent Hill” video game, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn lead vocals)
9. Blood Theme
10. Dexter Main Title (Rolfe Kent)
11. Remar (from “Reign Over Me”, Rolfe Kent)
12. Long Way Home (David Poe lead vocals)
13. Alone/Grieving
14. The End/Need Time
15. Mond’s Party (from “Brave New World”)
16. Deb Cries/I Shot You
17. Ice Truck
18. Hides
Show produced by J.C. Chamboredon of Milan Records and Ray Costa of Costa Communications
