My Ears Through the Years with Rupert Reynolds-MacLean

Hello and welcome back to My Ears Through the Years! Did you miss us? Us too, but now we’re back by popular demand with series two. A second batch of wonderful ears belonging to wonderful people in our industry, taking us through the tracks they’ve grown up to, partied down to, and everything in between. 

Kicking off our brilliant new series is managing director of Biscuit Filmworks… Rupert Reynolds-MacLean! Rupert has a wealth of experience from over a decade’s experience in in commercial production, branded content, and strategy. Projects to which Rupert has contributed have earned accolades from Cannes Lions, Kinsale, The Webby’s, British Arrows, D&AD, and a BAFTA. But what’s this Tarantino fan singing at karaoke? Let’s find out…  

Q> Hi Rupert! Tell us, what’s your first memory of music?

Rupert> My parents were really young when they had me, so I grew up in student flats in Wellington, New Zealand. It meant there was always incredible music playing at home. My dad was really into Flying Nun bands, the whole Dunedin sound, punk, art rock and some grunge. My mum was more into what I remember being a lot of Prince and Bruce Springsteen. Of course movie soundtracks were always a big thing and I keep going back to thinking about the music in Stand By Me and Labyrinth as those most iconic music driven films from my childhood.

Q> The first music you bought for yourself?

Rupert> I’m pretty sure it was Michael Jackson ‘BAD ‘on cassette. The first CD I bought with my paper run money was Nirvana ‘Nevermind’.

Q> Your first gig?

Rupert> There are two here… my first concert and the first concert I actually wanted to go to.

The first was after winning two tickets from the now defunct RTR Countdown magazine in New Zealand to go to New Kids On The Block in Auckland, but because it was 1992 and I was only 10 I had to write back to the magazine and say I couldn’t get there from Wellington. They helpfully sent petrol vouchers so my dad’s flatmate drove me the 650KM journey to get to the concert.

The second was also in Auckland and in 1995 my dad took me to see REM (on the Monster tour) with Grant Lee Buffalo and Crowded House supporting them. I think I still have the T Shirt somewhere. Although I don’t think I’ll ever fit it again.

Q> The first song that comes into your head at any opportunity?

Rupert> Recently it’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey. Probably from a combination dipping back in to the The Sopranos (what a last episode) and Teddy Swims featuring in my Instagram feed.

Q> Your first slow dance?

Rupert> It was either ‘That’s the Way Love Goes’ by Janet Jackson or pretty much anything by UB40 (why were they so huge in New Zealand?).

Q> The first song you felt you couldn’t escape from?

Rupert> Almost definitely Ace of Base. Definitely bad.

Q> A song you grew up with?

Rupert> ‘O Superman’ by Laurie Anderson was something that seemed to be on a lot.

My uncle bought me a copy of Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders when I was 11 or 12 and that changed my life for the better.

Q> Your walk-out music?

Rupert> I have been listening to ‘Dorothy’ by Polo & Pan a lot lately, although it would need to be quite a long walk.

Q> Your dancefloor anthem?

Rupert> Recently it has been ‘Supernature’ by Cerrone.

Q> Your go-to karaoke song?

Rupert> ‘Born to be Wild’ - Steppenwolf.

Q> Your musical guilty pleasure?

Rupert> ‘Always on Time’ by Ja Rule & Ashanti came on at home this morning. BANGER.

Q> How has your musical taste evolved?

Rupert> When I was a teenager, I only listened to Hip Hop, Punk and Drum and Bass (cliché skater I know). A lot more opened up after that.

Q> Your unpopular musical opinion? 

Rupert> There are too many to list. 

Q> An underrated artist?

Rupert> Saâda Bonaire, they made an album in the early '80s and were from Bremen. It is incredible. Some if it was produced by Dennis Bovell and was recorded in Kraftwerks studio. Definitely worth hunting out. I wish they had made more.

Q> Your desert island disc?

Rupert> So many options… It needs to be something that isn’t annoying after too many listens. I think ‘Ghost of Tom Joad’ by Bruce Springsteen or GZA’s ‘Liquid Swords’. Both are masterpieces.

Q> Best sync moment?

Rupert> I’m biased on this, but Enya’s ‘Only Time’ on Andreas Nilsson’s ‘Volvo Epic Split’ stopped me in my tracks.

Q> Music that made an ad campaign?

Rupert> ‘Hocus Pocus’ by Focus was the icing on the cake for Nike ‘Write The Future’.

Q>  Best theme song?

Rupert> So many great options. ‘Blue Velvet’ by Bobby Vinton is incredible and so memorable.

Q> Favourite film soundtrack or score?

Rupert> It’s hard to go past Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction are probably tied.

Q> Track you’d most like to sync?

Rupert> I have tried a couple of times with ‘Territory’ by Sepultura but for some reason multinational chocolate companies seem averse to it.