Epic Soundtracks

Epic Soundtracks, the stage name of Kevin Paul Godfrey, released six albums before he passed away in 1997 of unknown causes. Formerly a member of Swell Maps (with his brother, Nikki), Godfrey spent his short life creating raw, eclectic music inspired by T Rex and Can.

Rise Above (1993), the album I have recently been introduced to and fallen for, features appearances by Kim Gordon and J Mascis, and is a sort of pure pop album featuring Godfrey and his piano prominently. Wisps of Nick Cave, Big Star and a mopier John Lennon flit throughout, and the somewhat sad atmosphere across the songs keep them tightly bound together a a cohesive whole. I highly recommend checking it out. I’ve become a fan really quickly, and the next album I’m going to indulge in is Change My Life (1996), which is apparently Godfrey’s attempt to spread his wings into a more traditionally rock’n'roll-like arena.

Fans of John Cale, Nilsson, and early David Bowie will either already know and love Epic Soundtracks or be eager to check it out. As a side note, the movie The Pacific and Eddy features the music of epic soundtracks, and features Nikki Sudden (Godfrey’s brother and former Swell Maps bandmate) as the character “Silhouette”.

Epic Soundtracks “Ruthless”
Epic Soundtracks “She Sleeps Alone Love Fucks You Up”
The Pacific and Eddy Trailer

I love this record A LOT! ‘Sleeping Star’ is its closest cousin, sound-wise (if I can find my copy, I’ll send it to you).

I’ll have to check this out. It sounds like something I’d love. Incidentally, not to be shallow, but MAN does Kevin Paul Godfrey look a heck of a lot like Lindsey Buckingham. Weird.

All his records are hauntingly beautiful, you can’t go wrong with any one of them. I’m very happy to see other people still enjoying his work.