Composer Danny Elfman opens up about his 40-year creative bond with Tim Burton, his favorite spooky-season scores, and why he’s thrilled to return to Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony on August 19th.
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Q: What can you tell us about your friendship with Tim Burton? How did you meet him?
Danny: We met on Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. For me it was a bit out of the blue. In fact I initially thought they might be looking for a song as my band at that time (Oingo Boingo) had been doing a number of songs for films, so I was kind of shocked. Now after 40 years of working together I’d have to say he’s like a family member.
Q: We know you have quite the expansive catalog of collaborations with Tim Burton. Do you have a favorite composition / score / film?
Danny: I try not to have favorite “children” from my “brood”. But if I had to choose I’d need to qualify what parameters qualified as favorites? Some were the most challenging. Some were rewarding in terms of reaching or breaking new boundaries in my writing. If I were to say which were the most simply the most “fun”, I’d have to say a tie between Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice, and Mars Attacks.
Q: What inspires you in your creative process
Danny: Ha! I wish i knew!! I’ve always got my antenna out there searching for signals from the void. But the best, most reliable way to get inspiration is simply though work. If i have no compelling ideas, I have to begin writing and writing and in that laborious process something will eventually find its way though.
Q: What has been the most fun project you’ve worked on in the last 5 years
Danny: Hard to say again…. maybe tied between Luc Besson’s soon to be released “Dracula; A Love Tale” and” Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice”
Q: Have you ever performed at Red Rocks or with The Colorado Symphony?
Danny: Yes to both but not at the same time. I’ve played Red Rocks with Oingo Boingo in the 90’s and I have had several concerts with Chris Dragon and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. But this is the first time performing with the wonderful orchestra at this wonderful venue. I’m very excited about it.
Q: Your work is very in tune with all things “spooky szn” – how do you typically celebrate Halloween?
Danny: Well when my kids were small I took them trick’ or ’treating. But between 17 years with the band Bingo Boingo back in the day, and the many concerts of The Nightmare Before Christmas and Music from the films of Tim Burton I’ve spend an inordinate amount of Halloweens performing on stage as all of those projects tend to want to fall on that coveted night.
Q: When you come through Denver, are there any favorite must-see spots / activities on your bucket list?
Danny: Well for sure checking to see if there’s a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre is high on my list!
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