By Mesfin Fekadu, Music Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --As Mick Jagger is driving around Latin America on tour with The Rolling Stones, he's seeing familiar advertisements promoting his latest project plastered around town.
This time it's not his music — but the HBO series "Vinyl," which he created and executive produced.
"I'm in Argentina and I'm driving to the gig and there are big billboards on the freeway, 'Vinyl!'" he says happily over the phone. "It's quite funny really."
The show about the music industry in the 1970s debuted this month and has already been renewed for a second season. It stars Bobby Cannavale as a troubled record executive in a music industry mixed with drugs and sex; other cast members include Ray Romano, Olivia Wilde and Jagger's son, James Jagger.
"Obviously it's fictional," Jagger says with a laugh. "It's a drama series and in a drama series you really want to bring out the characters, the narrative … having said that, of course you also want to instill in people the sense of the times and you want them to buy in that. …You have to make it believable — that's our overarching goal, whether it's actually true or not."
Jagger said filming the show — which he created with Martin Scorsese — reminded him of the 1970s when the Stones were dominating the music scene and touring around the world.
"I never worked at a recording company like that because in that time I was working at Atlantic Records with Ahmet Ertegun, and there's some of that in there, but it's a combination of a lot of things," he said. "It's a particular crazy time and place for this particular company."
In the series, which airs at 9 p.m. EST on Sundays, Jagger's 30-year-old son plays the role of Kip Stevens, the lead singer of the punk rock band Nasty Bits.
"Well, first of all, I thought he was really good so I didn't have to worry too much. I mean, if he was really, really not good, maybe I wouldn't have been the one to tell him," Jagger said. "I was really pleased with his performance."
The Jaggers worked together on the song "Rotten Apple," which Nasty Bits perform in the debut episode on "Vinyl."
"I'm happy to help him in any way when I've got time to do it," the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer said of James Jagger.
The icon added that he didn't think of recording his own music for the series — "I wouldn't say it would never happen" — but music from others for the show has been released and more will come. "Vinyl: Music from the HBO Original Series — Volume 1" was released this month and "Vinyl: Music from the HBO Original Series — Volume 1: Finale" will be released on April 15, two days before the 10-episode first season wraps. Digital EPs will be released Friday with music from the series.
Jagger, who has been busy producing TV series, films and documentaries, said he's never been interested in being a record label head like Cannavale's character in "Vinyl."
"Everyone has their little imprint, but actually owning something like that would drive me nuts. Literally nuts," he said. "We want to be an artist; you don't really want to be involved too much business."
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More