Cult Hit TV Show 'Utopia' Composer Talks Conspiracies & Making Music

As the second season of Channel 4’s riveting conspiracy thriller Utopia unfolds in front of us, John Connon of Wake The Town briefly sat down with the show’s composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer, to learn about his experience of working on such a unique project.

WTT - How are you and your cat?

CTV - Great! The Utopia2 album is coming together nicely and dangerously. 

My cat killed a bird, and when I took the poor guy from her, it resuscitated and flew away...

WTT - For people who haven’t heard your music how would you best describe it?

CTV - Just like Arcade Fire

WTT - How did your involvement with Utopia transpire?

CTV - Marc Munden got me involved with Freemasonry, which led me to the C4 illuminati, and ultimately I was turned into a sex kitten by the Shine Group.

WTT - One of the many great things about your score is how incredibly unique it is, were you briefed by the directors beforehand or given free reign?

CTV - We have a great connection with Marc (Munden), we don't talk a lot about styles as such, it just happens by itself. I go into dangerous paths and he keeps pushing me off the cliff - he's confident that I'll rebound like a basketball.

WTT - At the start of the process were you working to specific visuals or did you have to rely solely on a script?

CTV - I started even before getting the script, first ideas came just by talking to Marc. The 70's sounding track in episode 1 of season 2 was the first demo I did for Utopia 1, but didn't use it and didn't even show it to him until now, 2 years later. I felt it was too 70's back then…. somehow it came full circle now, crazy shit.

WTT - How have you found writing for the second season?

CTV - Hardest thing I've ever done, spent too much time reading about conspiracies, Monarch Project, CIA, Nazis, Satan, Freemasons, you name it – pretty unhealthy.

It's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

WTT - And finally we wanted to introduce to a piece of music we think you’ll like: Huerco S “Prinzif Rub” could you return the favour?

CTV - Thank you, I like that sound, kinda like some old Mr. Oizo but ambient... Here's a track that my father introduced me to a long time ago, Miles Davis "Sivad", changed my life.

Cristobal’s score for the entire first season can be bought from Silva Screen here.

Silva Screen have released U1 and will release U2, as well.