He set up a group of theremins that would change in pitch and volume based on how the rats moved. Dan Deacon has announced a new album, the original soundtrack for the Theo Anthony-directed Rat Film. The record arrives on October 13 via Domino Soundtracks. In composing the score, Deacon experimented with its rodent subjects. “I thought it would be interesting to set up a group of theremins to be controlled by rats moving around an enclosure (the volumes and pitches would always be fluctuating based on where/how the rats moved),” he explained in a statement. “Using the data and patterns collected from the rat Theremin performance, as well as impulse data from recordings of rat brain activity, I began to compose the bulk of the score.” His process is also captured in a new “making of” video, which can be viewed below, along with the film’s trailer. Rat Film is an essay-film that looks at the rat infestation in Baltimore (hometown to both Deacon and Anthony) to explore the city’s issues with race and class. After premiering at several international festivals, Rat Film opens in New York City, Los Angeles, and Baltimore on September 15. Find more information on the screenings here. Previously, Deacon has composed for the New York City ballet, alongside Sigur R?s at the L.A. Philharmonic, and many others. His most recent album, Gliss Riffer, arrived in 2015.
