Dutch composer Tom Holkenborg, aka Junkie XL, has been quietly toiling for the past decade in Hollywood, contributing bits and pieces to films like Catwoman, The Dark Knight Rises and Inception. But in the past three years he’s really broken out, partnering with his friend Hans Zimmer on Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and creating powerful original scores like Mad Max: Fury Road. Last year he scored the surprise hit Deadpool and he’s now working on both Justice League and The Dark Tower. For a story in this week’s issue of Variety, I visited Tom’s studio and quizzed him about his past and future in films.
Tag Archives: Junkie XL
Interviewing Tom Holkenborg on “Black Mass”
My latest SoundWorks Collection interview is with Dutch composer Tom Holkenborg (formerly known as producer-performer Junkie XL). His latest film is Black Mass, which stars Johnny Depp as Boston crime lord James “Whitey” Bulger. It’s very different from his Mad Max: Fury Road score in that it prominently features solo cello (played by Steve Erdody), a large string orchestra, piano and even pipe organ. Up next for him: a collaboration with Hans Zimmer on Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice for next year.
Amos Newman and WME’s music division
For Variety‘s latest Music for Screens issue, I was asked to profile Amos Newman and take an inside look at one of the industry’s newer composer-representation agencies (his clients include Hans Zimmer, Trent Reznor and Junkie XL). A fascinating day inside the WME offices.