Podcast Title: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart
Episode: Mali Obomsawin’s Music for Oscar-nominated ‘Sugarcane’
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Host Network: WNYC

I. Introduction to the Episode and "Sugarcane"

In this compelling episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart, the spotlight shines on "Sugarcane," an Oscar-nominated documentary that delves into the harrowing experiences of Indigenous Canadians within residential schools. These institutions, predominantly operated by the Catholic Church, sought to eradicate Indigenous languages and cultural practices under the guise of resolving the "Indian problem." The documentary gained significant attention following the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential school sites between 2021 and 2022. The New York Times lauded "Sugarcane" as a "must-see film," praising it for being "immersive and incredibly beautiful shot, like poetry," with a score composed by Molly Obomswin (00:38).

II. Guest Introduction: Molly Obomswin

Alison Stewart introduces Molly Obomswin, a Wabanaki musician renowned for her contributions to both music and film scoring. Molly recently released two collaborative albums: "Symbiont" with folk musician Jake Blunt and "Greatest Hits" with her bandmate Magdalena Abrego, performing as Dear Lady. Joining Molly in the studio is Alison Burek, a Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist, rounding out a trio of talented artists eager to discuss their work (01:28).

III. Molly's Musical Background and Recent Projects

Molly provides insight into her recent musical endeavors, highlighting her collaborative spirit and dedication to exploring diverse musical landscapes. Her work with Magdalena Abrego in Dear Lady and her collaboration with Alison Burek underscore her versatility and commitment to creating meaningful music. These projects set the stage for her involvement in scoring "Sugarcane" and demonstrate her ability to blend traditional and contemporary sounds seamlessly (01:28).

IV. Scoring "Sugarcane": Opportunities and Approach

The conversation shifts to how Molly was approached to score "Sugarcane." She explains that the opportunity arose from her debut album, "Sweet Tooth," which featured Alison Burek on the bass clarinet in alto. After releasing the album in late 2022 and receiving positive press, Molly was contacted by Julianne Noisecat, a writer she admired for her poetic journalism focused on Indigenous issues. Julianne sought a composer whose work embodied the tension between the Catholic Church and Indigenous ancestors, as well as a roots background aligned with country music and the rodeo culture prevalent in the plains setting of the film (09:04).

Quote:
"Your album is really living in this space of sort of the tension between the Catholic Church and our ancestors. And you also have a roots background. Like, you're the perfect person to score." – Molly Obomswin on receiving the scoring opportunity (09:04).

V. Creative Process and Collaboration

Molly delves into her creative process, emphasizing the importance of understanding the film's narrative and characters intimately. She spent extensive time with a six-hour rough cut of "Sugarcane," allowing her to immerse herself in the interwoven stories of the protagonists. This deep engagement informed her approach to providing emotional and contextual support through music without overwhelming the film's inherent complexity.

She describes her dual strategy: creating a sprawling musical landscape that complements the film's expansive themes while also developing specific character themes to honor the individuals portrayed. This approach ensures that the music enhances rather than competes with the storytelling.

Quote:
"I understood my role as providing the context in which a story is going to be told, providing the emotional context and the sort of visceral visual and I mean, obviously aural manifestation of the content, which is like, so heavy but also so expansive, so complex." – Molly Obomswin on her role in scoring the film (10:21).

Molly also discusses the collaborative nature of her work with Magdalena Abrego and Alison Burek. She refers to them as her "everything band," highlighting their adaptability and creativity in bringing her musical visions to life. Magdalena shares an anecdote about Molly's unique instructions, such as experimenting with different phrase lengths and imagining having two horn players in the guitar, showcasing Molly's innovative directing style (12:07).

Quote:
"Molly was having me and Magdalena experiment with different phrase lengths. And she kept telling Magdalena to play as if she had two horn players in her guitar." – Magdalena Abrego on Molly's directing style (12:07).

VI. Musical Performances Featured in the Episode

Throughout the episode, listeners are treated to live performances by Molly and her bandmates. Molly introduces a new tune titled "Odeyamon" (01:57) and later performs "Vatican," a piece inspired by the musical world of "Sugarcane." These performances not only showcase Molly's talent but also provide a deeper understanding of her compositional style and how it intertwines with the film's themes.

VII. Conclusion and Upcoming Performances

As the episode concludes, Alison Stewart highlights Molly's upcoming performance at Lincoln Center, emphasizing her active presence in the contemporary music scene. Molly and her collaborators express their gratitude for the opportunity to share their work, reinforcing the episode's theme of community and cultural engagement (19:27).

Quote:
"We're going to hear a tune called Vatican, which is inspired by the world that we built musically in Sugar Cane." – Molly Obomswin introducing her performance (14:01).

This episode of All Of It offers a profound exploration of how music can serve as a powerful tool for storytelling and cultural expression. Through Molly Obomswin's insights and performances, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate relationship between music and narrative in addressing historical and cultural issues.