“ASHES INTO THE SEA (FEAT. KING ISIS)” COMPOSED BY NATE HELLER 

FEATURES RIOT GRRRL INSPIRED INDEPENDENT ARTISTS + A SCORE BY GRAMMY-NOMINATED COMPOSER NATE HELLER

AVAILABLE ON SHOWTIME & HULU + AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL FOR PURCHASE OR, RENTAL AND ON COLLECTOR’S EDITION DVD + BLU-RAY

Sophie Jones: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be released on April 1 via Gardener Recordings. The acclaimed film, Directed, co-written and produced by Jessie Barr, portrays sixteen-year-old Sophie Jones as she navigates high school after tragically losing her mother. The first half of the soundtrack comprises various tracks from female-fronted, riot grrrl-inspired, independent artists from the past decade including Mutt, Valley Hush, and Merō, – plus a few surprises like a dance/electronic track from James Meyers – while the second half focuses on the film’s original score from GRAMMY®-nominated composer Nate Heller (‘A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood’, ‘Diary Of A Teenage Girl’).

“Music is a vital part of the cinematic experience that feels particularly resonant for coming-of-age films,” shared Barr. “When I thought about the music for ‘Sophie Jones’, I felt it needed to feature female fronted bands that payed homage to the riot grrrl movement, with unbridled energy, radical feminist lyrics and fiery performances but it also had to sound handmade, raw and accessible like the music came from a bunch of girls raging in a basement next door. I wanted to feel the rage and the limitations we bump against when trying to express that rage, which creates a useful tension sonically and cinematically.

When I worked with Nate to create the sounds of Sophie’s inner world through his score, we talked about incorporating chimes and whistle tones and leaning into the score being almost like sound design. We knew we needed sounds that were ethereal, and whimsical but not saccharine or prescriptive. Nate is a genius and what he created is so much more than I ever dreamed possible.”

“Grief is not a thunderstorm but a wave that laps persistently at the shore,” Heller shared. “Our score culminates with ‘Ashes Into the Sea’, a lyrical piece that sees Sophie’s understanding of her loss crystallizing onscreen. I tapped King Isis to record the vocal performance because I knew they would be able to bring the nuance and depth that the performance required.”

What’s your story as a writer/director?

I’m a filmmaker and Sundance Fellow originally from Maryland, now based in Los Angeles. I’m a writer, director, actor, and producer with a background in independent film and theater.

What do you want the Sophie Jones soundtrack to communicate?

I hope people listen to the soundtrack for “Sophie Jones” and feel accompanied in some way. Soundtracks are a vital part of the cinematic experience that feel particularly resonant for coming-of-age films. When I was 10 I bought the soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet and listened to “Kissing you” while I cried in my bathtub. When I was 13 I listened to Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides soundtrack while I lay on my bedroom floor rolling around in my mom’s slip. So yes, I hope people listen to the soundtrack for “Sophie Jones” and feel accompanied through whatever they are experiencing in their life.

Who is someone in the industry that you look up to more than others today?

There are so many but some are Nicole Holofcener, Cheryl Dunye, Céline Sciamma, Mia Hansen-Løve, Kelly Reichardt, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Jane Campion and on and on.

What’s the film that made you realize you wanted to be a writer/director?

This is gonna sound gauche but a film I made when I was 7 years old. I recreated Greek myths with my barbie dolls and filmed them with my dad’s camcorder. I didn’t realize it then but looking back on it now, it seems fairly obvious!

What inspired the soundtrack?

Desire, angst, grief and healing 

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

I never personally received the following advice but I act like I did so I feel that qualifies:

“Tell stories filled with facts. Make people touch and taste and KNOW.” – Octavia Butler

“Just take it bird by bird.” – Anne Lamott

“Take time for yourself.” – My therapist

Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene? 

Honestly? TikTok. I’m obsessed.