There are no greater Melbourne experts in the music of Ennio Morricone and the spaghetti west than The Counterfeit.
The Counterfeit and Freya Josephine Hollick are bringing their aptly titled stage show The Music of Ennio Morricone & the Spaghetti West to Brunswick Ballroom for two incredible performances next month.
We spoke to Harley Stewart (electric guitarist and posse music director) about Ennio Morricone’s legacy, their album, 14 Killer Bullets From The Spaghetti West (Vol.2), which is due for release this Friday, and their upcoming Brunswick performances at 2pm and 8pm on December 2. To buy the album or tickets, head here.
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What is it – from both an emotive and a technical perspective – about Ennio Morricone’s music that’s proven so timeless?
From an emotive perspective, Morricone’s Western melodies are as timeless as the great plains. Their brilliance echoes through the decades drawing in cult followers from all corners of the globe. When great melodies are combined with such unique and edgy instrumentation, it’s no surprise they have become such a memorable and distinctive landmark not only in the Western genre, but also in the greater history of composition for film.
It’s hard to think of another composer that would’ve taken the risk of putting a fuzzed out electric guitar melody in front of a romantic string section or whacking a blacksmith’s anvil over a heavenly choir. Fortune certainly favours the brave!
What do you think he would make of the performance?
I like to think that he’d dig seeing his work performed by younger people from another world. In particular, I think he’d enjoy experiencing a reimagining of his music that goes beyond the standard orchestral context. I’m sure he’d never have seen his music played like this before and most certainly not by people like us!
We take pride in preserving the essence of these compositions but at the same time, we think it’s important to create our own interpretations and to do something new that resonates with our style as musicians.
What are some of the most surprising and interesting things you’ve learned from immersing yourself in this music?
The most surprising thing I’ve learned on this journey is that Clint Eastwood absolutely hated smoking, which is very unfortunate given the fact that he’s got a stogie in his gob for basically an entire trilogy of movies!
One of the other most surprising things was discovering how vast the Spaghetti Western genre sprawls and how much of a scene it was between the mid 60s to the mid 70s. Morricone is the one who takes the lion’s share of the credit but there were so many overshadowed composers like Francesco De Masi & Bruno Nicolai – who I’m sure Morricone was influenced by in one way or another. These composers (amongst others) were totally badass and each played such an important hand in pioneering the sound of the Wild West. But the fact remains, the movies Morricone worked on were generally the best and there’s a lot to be said for that!
Freya is obviously an incredible musician, what’s it like working with her and what does she bring to the performance?
They say the Wild West is no place for a woman, well Freya Hollick is here to prove them naysayers wrong. For a genre whose title tracks are generally sung by male, Italian tenors and baritones, Freya absolutely dominates. Her soaring vibrato is enough to make any cold blooded cowboy weep like a baby.
It says there’s a romantic backdrop to what we assumed would be a Wild West atmosphere. Can you outline a little more about what people can expect?
This show is a multimedia experience that takes you on a journey across the new frontier of the American West. The big screen will be in action playing accompanying footage throughout the set which brings a layer of nostalgia to the show like no other. We have the infamous John Mcall playing his solo barrelhouse piano during intermission, and Australia’s flamenco kings, the Tedesco brothers, opening the show with their latest incarnation of Spanish guitar and dance.
Is there anything else you would like people to know?
While Morricone is the most famous western composer to date, it is important to know that while the show is centred around the Dollars Trilogy, The Counterfeit’s show also explores and celebrates the work of many other Italian composers from the era. Tremolo baked Fenders, mariachi trumpet, chromatic harmonicas and tubular bells showcase alongside lonesome whistling, romantic string sections and the unmistakable pluck of the Fender Bass VI. This is the sound of the Spaghetti West and it is not only the creation of Morricone, but also that of his compadres.
For tickets, head here.
