Pixar’s newest film, Elemental, is releasing in theaters across the United States this summer, on June 16, 2023. A few weeks ago, Elemental director Peter Sohn and producer Denise Ream sat down in a long-lead press conference to discuss their new film coming out of PIXAR, talk a bit about the making of the film, the music, soundtrack, and songs, and some other behind-the-scenes details. Check out this interview with filmmakers Peter Sohn and Denise Ream as they discuss Pixar’s Elemental music, soundtrack & songs and other fun facts.
If you enjoyed Pixar’s Elemental music, sountrack & songs, check out these other articles: PIXAR’s Elemental Easter Eggs.
Pixar’s Elemental Music, Soundtrack & Songs
Composer Thomas Newman isn’t a stranger to working on Disney and PIXAR films, having composed the score for some of the biggest films to come out of Disney Studios, including Finding Nemo, Wall-E, Finding Dory, and the vastly underrated Saving Mr. Banks. It comes as no surprise that he was signed on to work on the music for the upcoming film Elemental. During the recent long-lead press day with director Peter Sohn and producer Denise Ream, both talked about the work Newman has done on the project: “Thomas Newman, I think, has done just a spectacular job. We’re just beyond happy with it.” Ream goes on to say, “I think that he really was thoughtful in how he kind of layered in the feel that we wanted to have, kind of from the old country without being specific to a culture. He used a variety of instruments, some of which we’d never heard of.”
It was director Peter Sohn’s first time working with Newman and his style of creating masterpieces. Sohn shares how Newman’s style is different from what he is used to. “The orchestral pieces that you hear are not the whole track; that’s just a little piece of it. He’s recorded all these other pieces separately, and then he begins to form them, finding this vibe.” Sohn goes on to say that Newman was very thoughtful and emotional during the process and knew the film very well. “He really loved the movie, which was so appreciated. At the same time, we would have discussions about just the feel, just the vibe.“
An all-new song, “Steal the Show,” from Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” is now available across all streaming platforms. Multi-Platinum chart-topping singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Lauv worked with composer Thomas Newman—who’s behind scores for Pixar films “Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E” and “Finding Dory”—and songwriter Michael Matosic on the film’s original single that can be heard in part during the film and in full during the end credits.
In the film, “Steal the Show” helps bring to life an extraordinary journey through Element City where quick-witted Fire woman Ember and go-with-the-flow Water guy Wade realize that maybe they’re not so different after all. “This was one of my favorite songs ever to write because the process was really different,” said Lauv of the creative process. “I sat down with Thomas Newman and he gave me a couple of sounds that he was working with and I asked, ‘Can I have a couple of minutes in a room, pull up a piano and turn on the microphone?’ I had melodies, chords and a couple of key lyrics totally freestyled after watching the scene. It was a very in-the-moment thing. It was really cool to go back and forth with Thomas and build the whole soundscape and then I combined it with very classic Lauv sounds.”