If you want to file this under a mocking Stereogum-like: “Hey, Movie Stars Like Music Too!” we won’t blame you (maybe file it under: light and fluffy for Friday).
But for better or worse, this is what we do. Entertainment Weekly has an interview with “Control” actress Samantha Morton (“Morvern Callar,” “In America”) and she reveals in the piece that her taste is not unlike the enthusiasts at Pitchfork or Stereogum.
The actress said when preparing for roles she’ll listen to certain music to help her get inspired. When she starred alongside Tom Cruise in Steven Spielberg’s “Minority Report” what did she put on her Ipod? Scottish ambient duo Boards of Canada (no doubt to soothe herself from having to stand next to the Scientologist all day).
Morton said she was initially apprehensive to take on the role of Ian Curtis’ widow, Deborah in the Joy Division “Control” film. “I became really obsessed with Joy Division for a while, and just listened to them all the time, so when the film came around, I was thinking, ‘I don’t know if this is right because I have so much respect for [Ian Curtis]’.” she told the magazine. “I didn’t want to become part of his story, like, They made a film, and the film starred Sam Riley and Samantha Morton. And you’re like, Now I’m part of it. And I was really nervous and it was very important to me when I found out actually the film was based on Deborah Curtis’ book, Touching From a Distance, about their marriage. It’s not what I thought [at first]. I think it’s been handled with a huge amount of integrity and respect.”
Morton then rattles off a number of her all-time favorite albums which include gems like Tom Waits’ Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards, Nick Cave’s Abattoir Blues,
Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks, the Stone Roses titular debut, the Talking Heads, Cocteau Twins’ Garlands and Squarepusher’s Ultravisitor (EW accidentally calls Guthrie’s ethereal group “Twins”).
Some samples of her thoughts below on albums we particularily like.
The Smiths, Rank
Gosh, it’s very difficult to talk about the Smiths very articulately, because I’m pretty obsessed. I’m from North England, you know, and [Morrissey’s] voice — I feel like it’s very close to home. When you’re younger, you really feel like they relate to you, and then you might not listen to them for a bit, but then when you go back and listen to them, they just take you over again.
Spiritualized, Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
I feel their music — it puts its arms around me and makes me feel loved. It’s a little bit like a religious experience, if you’re Christian or whatever and you go to church and you feel the congregation. I think there’s something about [frontman] Jason Pearce — he’s like a classical composer to me. You listen to some of his stuff, and you’re like, oh my God, I’m crying. I’m crying.
Dirty Three: Entire catalog
When I’m writing or developing characters, it’s so atmospheric. It’s like angels making music.
Samantha Morton in the Chris Cunningham directed video for the Horrors (“Sheena Is A Parasite”)