Chris Lowe Pat Reveals How Playing in Pet Shop Boys Primed Him for Score Work

Chris Lowe Pat Reveals How Playing in Pet Shop Boys Primed Him for Score Work

Chris Lowe, one half of the iconic British electronic duo Pet Shop Boys, has opened up about how his experiences within the world of pop music have been crucial in shaping his approach to scoring for film and television. Lowe, known for his groundbreaking work alongside Neil Tennant in Pet Shop Boys, has not only crafted some of the most memorable and influential pop music of the past few decades but has also ventured into the world of film scoring. In a recent interview, Lowe revealed that his time as a musician in Pet Shop Boys has equipped him with a unique skill set that has helped him transition from the world of pop into the art of film composition.

### The Evolution from Pop Star to Film Composer

Pet Shop Boys, formed in 1981, have been at the forefront of electronic pop music, pioneering a sound that blends catchy melodies with sophisticated production. While much of their fame has come from their chart-topping singles like “West End Girls,” “It’s a Sin,” and “Go West,” the duo’s ability to weave complex arrangements with emotional depth set them apart from typical pop music. This is exactly what has made Lowe’s transition into film scoring so seamless. His work as a member of Pet Shop Boys wasn’t just about creating songs; it was about creating atmospheres, building narratives, and evoking emotions—all key elements of film composition.

Lowe explained that the process of working in pop music, especially for a group as experimental as Pet Shop Boys, was highly collaborative and often involved creating sonic landscapes that mirrored a story or theme. Whether it was through the cinematic nature of their music videos or the thematic depth of their lyrics, Pet Shop Boys’ music often felt larger than life. This experience has helped Lowe develop a particular set of skills for scoring films, where creating an atmosphere and supporting a visual narrative is just as important as the music itself.

### How Pet Shop Boys’ Music Prepares for Scoring

Lowe’s background in creating music with a clear emotional arc and atmospheric texture has been essential when scoring for films. He admits that his time in the studio with Tennant, crafting the sounds of Pet Shop Boys, taught him the importance of understanding the emotional weight of a scene and how music can either enhance or undermine it. Much like scoring a movie, creating a pop song with a specific vibe requires an understanding of the story you’re telling, whether that’s through the lyrics or the music itself.

He also credits Pet Shop Boys’ frequent collaborations with filmmakers and visual artists as another reason why his transition to scoring came so naturally. The duo’s music videos often featured intricate, cinematic narratives, working with directors like Derek Jarman and Pedro Almodóvar, which deepened Lowe’s understanding of how music interacts with visuals. Lowe recalls being heavily involved in the conceptualization of the duo’s music videos, which, in turn, made him more attuned to the nuances of how visuals and sound work together to tell a compelling story.

This experience has translated well into his film scoring work. He describes his approach to film music as “like creating a musical landscape,” where each note and arrangement serves the emotional core of the story. Whether working on a documentary or a full-length feature, Lowe uses the same principles that guided him through Pet Shop Boys’ complex and often highly conceptual albums.

### Working with Directors and the Process of Film Scoring

While Pet Shop Boys’ music has always had an underlying narrative, working on film scores has allowed Lowe to experiment with different forms of storytelling through music. He discusses how collaboration is a vital component of film scoring. “Just like with Neil Tennant, working with a director on a film score is about understanding their vision and creating something that enhances the narrative without overshadowing it,” he says.

One of Lowe’s first ventures into film scoring came with his work on the soundtrack for the 2019 film *The Book of Vision*, a visually stunning, psychological drama directed by Carlo S. Hintermann. Lowe notes that his experience in electronic music—where sound often plays a dual role of both melody and atmosphere—was invaluable in helping him build the haunting and ethereal soundtrack for the film. The mood-driven, minimalist electronic score mirrored the film’s complex and abstract themes, showcasing Lowe’s ability to create music that complements not only the visual aesthetics but also the deeper, emotional undertones of the story.

Lowe’s ability to merge his background in electronic music with a more classical approach to film scoring was another key aspect of his success in this field. He acknowledges that film scoring demands a different kind of discipline and patience, but his foundation in experimental music has allowed him to blend genres and sounds in a way that keeps the score fresh, inventive, and emotionally resonant.

### Looking Ahead: More Film Scoring Projects on the Horizon

As Lowe continues to explore the world of film and television scoring, he has expressed excitement about upcoming projects. He reveals that his creative journey is far from over, and he hopes to continue working in film while also developing new material with Pet Shop Boys. “There’s a lot to explore within this medium,” Lowe says, “and I’m only just scratching the surface of what I can do with film music.”

For Lowe, working in film and TV is not so much a departure from Pet Shop Boys but rather an extension of the skills and creativity that have defined his entire career. His ability to create emotive, layered soundscapes that drive the narrative forward has allowed him to make a seamless transition from pop music to the world of film scoring. As both a composer and a producer, Chris Lowe’s work continues to break new ground, and his evolution from pop star to film scorer has demonstrated the depth and versatility of his artistic vision.

### Conclusion

Chris Lowe’s path from the world of iconic 80s pop to the emotionally-charged world of film scoring has been an organic and highly fruitful one. His experiences with Pet Shop Boys, especially the band’s deep engagement with visual storytelling, have laid the foundation for a successful second chapter in his career. As he continues to develop his work as a film composer, it is clear that Lowe’s rich background in music production and atmospheric sound design will continue to make him a standout figure in both the music and film industries.