Australian Film Scores and Needle Drops – LIVE! (Movie Squad Podcast #519)

It’s a Christmas miracle: a bonus Movie Squad episode! Earlier this month, Tristan Fidler and Simon Miraudo were invited to be part of Accent, the Music and Sound in Australian Cinema Conference held at the University of Western Australia. As a Boxing Day surprise (especially for those who were disappointed by their Xmas haul), we’re gifting you the live recording of their session, titled Australian Film Scores and Needle Drops. From the propulsive synth of Gallipoli to the twinkling strings of Somersault; the manipulated didgeridoo in The Last Wave to the droning loops of Snowtown: Australia’s most iconic film scores and needle drops are a demonstration of contrast and dissonance. (Movie about a killer boar? Better pull out the Fairlight CMI. Dark comedy set on the fictional ‘jewel of the north coast’, Porpoise Spit? Let’s licence all the ABBA songs.) In this live podcast recording, RTRFM’s resident film critics Tristan Fidler and Simon Miraudo, aka Movie Squad, celebrate Australian movie music that clashes like a Muriel Heslop ensemble, and discuss the contemporary musicians who’ve tried their hand composing for locally-made features. No cultural cringe allowed! Featuring special guests… Dan Golding – writer, composer, broadcaster, academic, host of the Art of the Score podcast and the Screen Sounds program on ABC Classic radio, and Professor and Chair of Media and Communication at Swinburne University of Technology. Grace Brooks – writer, academic and teacher; co-convener of the Accent conference. Drew Krapljanov – musician, broadcaster, member of Didion’s Bible, host of Drivetime on RTRFM (Mondays) and the Midnight Special Podcast. Howie Ng – writer, broadcaster, editor – Senior Film & TV editor for the website Isolated Nation, host of the Midnight Special Podcast. And a special introduction by co-convener Laurent Shervington. Movie Squad returns to Breakfast with Pam on Friday 16 January 2026! Movie Squad is sponsored by Luna Palace Cinemas, WA’s premiere independent cinemas, bringing the best film content and cinematic events to Perth.