Tecovas Captures What the American West Represents with Striking Campaign

Global creative audio network Squeak E. Clean Studios has shared its latest work on behalf of client Tecovas.

‘True West’, directed by Scott Ballew, is the newest commercial from the Austin-based boot and western wear brand. The film gets to the core of what the American West represents, with its striking cinematography, visceral sound design, music, and voice-over from the legendary Texas singer, songwriter, and visual artist, Terry Allen. It evokes feelings much like the spoken word vignettes of his 1975 debut album “Juarez” while train sounds, thunderclaps and galloping horses seamlessly interweave with the music.

Coming off his recent work with Spike Jonze, Squeak E. Clean’s Sr. sound designer and mixer, Chris Nungary, was tapped to lead sound design and final mix. ECD Rob Barbato handled music editorial and additional music production, while head of audio post production, Angelina Phengphong, oversaw the project.

Squeak E Clean Studios ECD Rob Barbato noted, “Working closely with Scott, you can really see how much he cares about how audio interacts with his films. It’s not an afterthought! Also he’s not afraid to help you move a 220 pound Hammond M3 Organ into the studio to get that authentic sound on the track. Being able to work in the room with him at our Austin studio, and remotely in L.A, and Chicago studios, really helped the work flow and with having the right person on it for each aspect of the spot. Chris (Nungary) and Surachi (Sutthisasanakul) killed it, and it was a real pleasure to work with Ryan Sambol’s original song (Ryan also appears in the film). Ryan and I go back a long time—our bands toured together around 2008. It feels like a real full circle moment.”