Nicholas Britell

From a young age, Nicholas Britell harbored a deep affection for Star Wars. During the development phase of the Andor series, executive producer Tony Gilroy determined that the show demanded a fresh musical identity to effectively convey its atmosphere. In the spring of 2020, Britell and Gilroy began confidential discussions well in advance of filming. Subsequently, Gilroy enlisted Britell to craft the musical score for Andor. Gilroy, along with Lucasfilm Ltd. president Kathleen Kennedy, granted Britell complete artistic license to conceive a novel and distinctive sonic environment for the series. In August, 2020, long before the formal scoring process, Britell and Gilroy embarked on a ten-month collaborative effort to prepare the music intended for use on set. Their process involved extensive "brainstorming, experimenting," and prioritizing key sequences. This extended timeframe enabled them to cultivate a shared understanding of the dedication and focus required to score all twelve episodes of Season 1. The workload ultimately exceeded their initial expectations. Britell felt privileged to compose the music for the show and cherished his collaboration with Gilroy. His aim was to construct a "musical landscape that feels woven into the fabric of this story," ensuring that viewers could fully immerse themselves in the show's emotional narrative.

Britell and Gilroy's initial focus was on the music featured on-screen and specific moments that Gilroy wanted to define early on. Maarva Andor's funeral, especially its musical component, was the first element Gilroy addressed. He insisted that the music be performed by actors on set using actual instruments, rather than by professional musicians, and that it be recorded on the Ferrix set. Recognizing the scene's significance, he and Britell collaborated to create a seven-minute composition two years before filming commenced. Britell ensured that the piece reflected the essence of the people of Ferrix and embodied a tradition that resonated with them. He understood that the sound needed to evoke a sense of folk tradition and possess the emotional weight to unite the community.

Drawing inspiration from composer John Williams, Britell composed all of the score and source music. Britell also crafted the music for the Morlana club. The pair conceptualized the sound of the Time Grappler and the sound of beskar steel being struck by hammers. A percussion piece served as the alarm signal in the third episode, and Britell and Gilroy collaboratively determined its sound and feel on set. Britell faced the challenge of musically portraying Cassian Andor's evolution from a mysterious figure to someone who gradually discovers his place in the universe. Britell's main theme was intended to represent the entire series. He envisioned the theme as a gradual revelation, unfolding and emerging over time. Each episode featured a distinct variation with unique orchestration, presenting a fresh interpretation of Britell's composition. A rhythmic pulse accompanied the theme, growing stronger with each iteration. Upon first hearing Britell's theme for the series, Gilroy immediately contacted Kathleen Kennedy to share the news that they had found their theme.

In May, 2021, Britell began composing the scene-specific scores from his base in New York. Concurrently, orchestrator Matt Dunkley regularly conducted an 80-piece orchestra at AIR studios in London, while percussion recordings took place at Mark Knopfler's British Grove studio. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Britell was unable to attend the London recording sessions. The final soundtrack incorporated orchestra, synthesizers, sampled sounds, strings, brass, and advanced production techniques, culminating in over seven hours of music for Season One. Britell commenced recording in the fall of 2021. Creating musical solutions for specific scenes inspired Britell to develop themes that represented the relationships between different characters.

To complement the dark and gritty ambiance of Morlana, Britell introduced an edgy, textural rumbling sound. He incorporated various metal sounds throughout the Ferrix scenes to reflect the planet's culture of masonry and metallurgy. Britell and Gilroy collaborated on some of these sounds, utilizing the pipes located in Gilroy's basement. To enhance the Kenari recordings, Britell added rustling leaves, allowing the audience to perceive the forest within the music. He successfully evoked a sense of wistfulness, loss, and memory. Britell also crafted distinct musical signatures for Bix Caleen, B2EMO, and Mon Mothma. Gilroy would visit Britell's studio three or four times a week, spending four to six hours collaborating with him. Recording concluded at the end of July, 2022. Britell and Gilroy completed the mixing of the twelfth episode on August 3. Britell described Andor as the most demanding project he had ever undertaken. He also expressed his gratitude for the amazing experience of working within the Star Wars universe. In September, Britell was present at the Andor launch event in Hollywood, California. As of September 26, Britell had begun his work on Season 2.

• Andor: A Disney+ Day Special Look
• Diego Luna and the Cast and Crew of Andor on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
• How Composer Nicholas Britell Created New Sounds for Andor on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Tony Gilroy Breaks Down Andor Season 1 on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Andor Analyzed: 7 Highlights from Episode 12, "Rix Road" on StarWars.com (backup link)
• This Week! in Star Wars The Bad Batch Trailer, Nicholas Britell Talks Andor Music, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
• " Launchpad " — Star Wars Insider 217
• Star Wars Celebration LIVE! 2023 - DAY 1 on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
• Lucasfilm and Star Wars Receive a Combined 23 Emmy Nominations on StarWars.com (backup link)

• Nicholas Britell on Wikipedia