Kildare author launches new book
The event takes place at the Naas Library & Cultural Centre on Thursday next
Local author Wayne Byrne will celebrate the release of his new book, The Evolution of American Film Music, 1960s – 1990s: The Inside Story of Shifting Soundscapes, with a launch event at Naas Library & Cultural Centre on Thursday June 4 at 7pm.
The book was co-authored by American musician Amanda Kramer (of 80s new wave legends The Psychedelic Furs).
The pair previously released the acclaimed Hired Guns: Portraits of Women in Alternative Music, before deciding to document the history of film music within a period of Cinema that they share great affection for.
Wayne said: “We both love films from the New Hollywood era and the American Independent movement of the 80s and 90s. I grew up devouring those films, and Amanda was around when these scenes were new and developing. So, we would take about it a lot and then I suggested to Amanda that we put it on the page.”
A publishing deal soon followed, and the pair began interviewing a wide variety of film composers, rock musicians, and industry executives to get the first-hand experiences of those who were involved in shaping film music across the three decades that they discussed.
“We spoke to some esteemed people, such as Mark Isham, Terence Blanchard, David Mansfield, Richard Butler, Mark Mothersbaugh, and many others whose I’ve been listening to and enjoying for forty years. And being that Amanda works with these people, or knows them, it was easy for us to gather a great lineup for the purposes of research and insights for the book.”
Film Ireland journalist Paul Farren will be in attendance to take part in a Q&A with Wayne, in which the pair will discuss the making of the book, as well as offering an insight into the professional literary world.
Wayne, who started his writing career with Leinster Leader many years ago, has published nine books in the relatively short timespan of eight years; this new book will mark his third release in the last twelve months, coming hot on the heels of Roy H. Wagner: A Cinematographer’s Life Beyond the Shadows (McFarland) and You Can’t Kill the Boogeyman: The Ongoing Halloween Saga (Bloomsbury).
Refreshments will be served and a selection of Wayne’s books will be available to purchase on the night.
For more information on the event, call Naas Library & Cultural Centre on 045 980975 or email [email protected]