Lady Usher
- Lady Usher: Suite from the Original Soundtrack
Official film soundtrack available!
You can also enjoy a medley of some of the themes from the film’s score above.
The film
The classic Poe story “Fall of the House of Usher” reimagined as a modern-day psychological thriller, Lady Usher has already racked up a lineup of awards including Best Horror Film (MidWest WeirdFest), Best Suspense/Thriller (International Horror Hotel Film Festival), and Best Thriller/Horror Feature (CARE Awards).
The film is available for streaming on many major platforms including Amazon Prime, YouTube, and DirectTV.
The score
To reflect the 19th century roots of the source material, as well as the intimate character-driven feel of the film, I scored the bulk of the film with string quartet. Live strings are wonderfully expressive, and in the context of a suspense film can create some hair-raising effects through bowing technique alone. Acoustic guitar and harp were added to the mix for moments of mystery or tenderness.
The soundtrack album also include the macabre folk ballad Home, based on the score’s main theme. I was delighted to work with singer-songwriter Rachel Lynch, who provided vocals, and whose song Wrecked closes the film.
The music won Best Original Score at NYCA Film Fest.
Album credits
Score composed and produced by Michael Gordon Shapiro
Violins: Daniel Adams, Steven Huber, Cosima Luther
Violas: Laurann Woods, Brandon Encinas
Cello, musician contracting: Simone Vitucci
Guitar (score): Tom Strahle
Vocals and guitars on “Home”: Rachel Lynch
Conductor: Jennifer Lin
Strings recorded at Clear Lake Recording Studios
Engineer: Eric Milos
“Wrecked” music, lyrics, and performance by Rachel Lynch & the Daydrinkers
Special thanks to George Adams, Dan Hegarty
