Music in "I Am Gen Z"
The original score for I Am Gen Z was composed and recorded by Kim Halliday. It is available on Bandcamp. The brief for the score was to follow the dystopian arc of the film with a series of interludes that become more chaotic as the film progresses. Given Kim’s music has been described as “comforting and disturbing in equal measure” this seemed to be a match made in heaven.
A further challenge that arose during editing (during lockdown as well) was that permission to use the music in the social media posts featured in the film was difficult to license, so Kim replaced those tracks with new music. Alongside Kim’s original compositions, I Am Gen Z features a range of music from young upcoming artists.
As part of the Raindance Film Festival we ran a special music event in London the evening before our UK premiere, showcasing the talent of some of the artists on the soundtrack. The performers on the night were Lottie Hartnack, MIRI, Sherika Sherrard and Try Me.
Lottie Hartnack
Lottie, a twenty-one-year-old singer-songwriter from Devon, has established an impressive online presence from the four corners of her student bedroom in Leeds. Her viewers often compare her lyric-focused ballads to the likes of Ed Sheeran, and her voice to Lily Allen’s. Lottie has three pieces in the film, including her song “Count” which has 1.4 million views on TIkTok.
MIRI
MIRI is an artist, musician, songwriter, and community activist. Recognised for her distinctive soulful vocal tone and classic British songwriting, her distinctive brand of soulful pop has been heard on various BBC radio shows along with countless independent and community stations.
MIRI’s song “Somebody Save Me” underscores a strand in the film about Gen Z’s response to mental health issues marked by a rise in anxiety, depression and self harm fuelled by social media.
SHERIKA SHERARD
Through songwriting Sherika vows to encourage the conversations that make us vulnerable. From charming one liners to heart-felt confessions, Sherika uncovers our complex journeys through a celebration of acceptance and continuously warms the hearts of her listeners. I Am Gen Z includes 3 of Sherika’s songs – “Sending Kisses”, “Please Don’t Hate” and “Give Me A Job”.
Try Me
Hector Boogieman and Bendy Wendy are Try Me, a Bristol-based duo who, in their own words, are ‘on a mission to make people boogie and forget their woes’. As a band with a jig in their step, their songs “All Nighty” and “Good Time Goggles” are featured in I Am Gen Z, bringing some of their infectious and flamboyant Disco Punk to the film.