Behind the Music of Trustworthy
The soundtrack for Trustworthy has been integral to the overall message of the story since its inception. Dana Richie, the film’s director, wanted the music to be rooted in soul to match the faces and images of Americana the documentary captured across our country’s sprawling vistas and bustling cityscapes. Dana and I had collaborated before Trustworthy, so we were excited about teaming up again to create an emotion-driven soundscape.
We started with “This Land Is Your Land” by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and “Colors” by Black Pumas as inspiration. After a quick decision on the direction of the music, we both wanted to seek out indie as well as up-and-coming artists who had stories of their own to tell through song. We quickly honed in on the stirring personal stories of both Danielle Ponder, who sings “Some of Us Are Brave” about courage and bravery, and Shea Diamond, who sings “I Am America,” which evokes the spirit of freedom. Both paint stories of America and spotlight its diversity, obstacles and hardships. We added Grammy award-winning artist Shelby Lynne and Israeli artist Maya Isacowitz to the soundtrack with their songs “Soul Changing” and “All Of The Miles.” We also included “Walk a Mile In My Shoes,” made famous by Elvis and covered by Big Daddy Wilson. We wanted to emphasize the challenges that come with a long, arduous journey while reinforcing the film’s recurring themes of empathy.
As we moved deeper into the music selection process, it was clear that the lyrics were becoming part of the film’s fabric, another character. One example is "Freedom Road.” Freedom road is paved with mercy. Freedom road is paved with love. Those lyrics perfectly matched the spirit of our film’s message. And of course our final song, “Rise Up,” calls people to action. We’ll rise up in spite of the ache, we’ll rise up and we’ll do it a thousand times again. That song was non-negotiable for Dana, but I was able to find an incredible cover of “Rise Up” from Stella, and the results are just beautiful. We felt it was the perfect way to end the film. Our hope is that we will all rise up to start the conversation of coming together, to find some common ground, and in the process, enjoy some great music.
— Scott Velasquez, Music Supervisor, Frisson Sync
“From the beginning, the soundtrack of Trustworthy was meant to evoke the spirit of America. The lyrics tell a story and the music sets the mood, painting a distinct melodic picture within each scene as we journeyed across America. My goal as the film’s director was to work with Scott to make the Trustworthy soundtrack a soulful, expressive and integral part of the narrative. Through our music, we hope you feel like you’re right there with us on that bus, traveling the open roads of America, singing along in an undivided chorus to the sounds of Trustworthy. ”
“The music was an important part of this project since the beginning, a place where all walks of life find common ground. I am grateful for all the effort and passion that went into adding these very special voices to Trustworthy.”
"This Land Is Your Land"
Written by Woody Guthrie
Performed by Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings
Published By Tro – Ludlow Music, Inc./Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc.
Courtesy of Daptone Records
“Serious Stuff”
Written by Bobby Tahouri
Courtesy of Extreme Music
"Scarborough Fair”
Written by Steven Trip, Laura Pergolizzi
Courtesy of Extreme Music
"The Battle To Overcome”
Written by Kevin John Smuts
Courtesy of APM Music
"Through The Rain”
Written by Carles Piles
Courtesy of APM Music
"I Am Fire”
Written by Daniel Burrows, Daniel William David Mallender,
Thomas Richard Hill, Simon James Oldhams
Courtesy of APM Music
"Time Speeds Up”
Written by Alice Guerlot
Courtesy of APM Music
"Cut & Run”
Written by Daniel Burrows, Daniel William David Mallender,
Thomas Richard Hill, Dominic Christopher Patrick Martin
Courtesy of APM Music
“Serious Decision”
Written by Yannick Kalfayan, Klooz
Courtesy of APM Music
“All The Pretty Little Horses”
Written by Steven Trip, Laura Pergolizzi
Courtesy of Extreme Music
"Moving Memories"
Written by Bruno Le Roux, Mederic Bourgue
Courtesy of APM Music
"Renewal”
Written by Victoria Kimberley Dewavrin, Oliver Maccalman
Courtesy of APM Music
"Whispers of the Soul"
Written by Philippe Briand, Gabriel Saban, Anne-Sophie Versnaeyen
Courtesy of APM Music
"Wade in the Water”
Written by Daniel Law Heath, Adrein
Courtesy of APM Music
"Some of Us are Brave”
Performed by Danielle Ponder
Written by Danielle Ponder, Ed Quinn, Gianluca Buccellati
Published by Danielle Ponder Music, Hipgnosis Songs Group,
Licensed Courtesy of Future Classic
"Running Out of Time”
Written by Skip Armstrong, Saul Okayman
Courtesy of APM Music
“Microtech”
Written by Robin Leclair
Courtesy of APM Music
"It’s Taking Too Long”
Written by Beau Blaise, Elizabeth Casely, Alex Nova
Courtesy of Extreme Music
“Dark Politics”
Written by Jatinder Chopra, Thomas Ceiriog Pritchard
Courtesy of APM Music
"Gears of Time”
Written by Kenneth Edward Belcher
Courtesy of APM Music
"The Truth Is A Liar”
Written by Tony Stafford Jr., Michael Smith, Nineoneone
Courtesy of Extreme Music
“Warrior's World”
Written by Itay Steinberg, Harel Tsemah, Ben Goldstein
Courtesy of APM Music
"Wayfaring Stranger”
Written by Shelby Lynne Moorer, George Doering, Steven Lindsey
Courtesy of Extreme Music
“Self Belief”
Written by Peter John Nickalls
Courtesy of APM Music
“Memories of Yesterday”
Written by Cody M Johnson, Nathan Bart Rich, Marshall Harold McDaniel
Courtesy of APM Music
"Anodize"
Written by Robin Leclair
Courtesy of APM Music
"The Truth"
Performed by Orgone, Kelly Finnigan
Written By Kelly Finnigan, Samual Halterman, Daniel Scott Hastie, Sergio Rios
Courtesy of Secret Group
“Ivory Towers”
Written by Rupert Vyvyan Pope
Courtesy of Extreme Music
"Neutral Moments”
Written by Robert Edwards (Prs) 50% Matthew Sanchez (Prs) 50%
Courtesy of APM Music
"Walk A Mile In My Shoes"
Performed by Big Daddy Wilson
Written by Adam Wilson Blount
Courtesy of Ruf Records Gmbh
“Ominous Tides”
Written by Kenneth Edward Belcher
Courtesy of APM Music
"Keep The Faith Strong”
Written by Daniel Farrant, Paul Rawson
Courtesy of Extreme Music
"The Devils Work”
Written by Clarence Chestnut, Jeremy Garrett, Andy Hall, Travis Book,
Chris Pandolfini, Andy Falco
Courtesy of Extreme Music
"Freedom Road"
Written by Amber Hunter
Performed by Amber Hunter
Courtesy of CD Baby
"Tragic and Fateful”
Written by Joana Miles
Courtesy of APM Music
“Colors”
Performed by Black Pumas
Written by Eric S. Burton
Published by Soul Sapphires Songs (BMI), Admin by Me Gusta Music
Courtesy of Ato Records
"Keep On Pushin’”
Written by Huxley Ware, Tiguan Jones, Peter Fraser
Courtesy of Extreme Music
"Give Me Freedom"
Written by I. Frere, R. Vilme, R. Oczeus, G. Charleus & M. Joseph
Performed by Vile & Tru
Courtesy of Smash Coast Music
By Arrangement With Capp Records Inc. & Gravelpit Music
"I Sing America"
Performed by Martha High
Written by Claudio Giusti, Luca Sapio, and Larry Guaraldi
Courtesy of Blind Faith Records by Arrangement with Marmoset
"Gonna Get Through This"
Written by Rudy Sandapa
Performed by Rudy
Licensed Courtesy of Midnight Choir Pty Ltd
"On Top of the World"
Written by Stuart Hart, Raul Del Moral
Performed by Josh Lay
Courtesy of Mutiny Recordings
"Rise Up"
Performed by Stella
Written by Cassandra Monique Batie, Jennifer Erin Decilveo
Published by Bmg Gold Songs
Courtesy of CD Baby
"I Am America"
Written by Eren Cannata, Shea Diamond and Justin Tranter
Performed by Shea Diamond
Published by Justin's School For Girls (BMI), Marquise Cut Publishing (BMI), Shea Diamond Pub Designee (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) and Eren Cannata BMI Pub Designee (BMI)