It’s one of the most iconic bands to come out of the 1970’s and 80’s. The Talking Heads pioneered new wave music, with hits songs like Burning Down The House.
The band’s history is being celebrated with the remixing, and re-release of its eight albums on Dolby Atmos.
"This was a chance really to sort of go back, and do actually far more than just putting it on, because you are listening to every track," said Talking Heads band member Jerry Harrison. "I think what I kept coming out of it is like...God...we were good!"
Harrison was on hand at an event in Westlake Village celebrating the 45th anniversary of the band’s first album, Talking Heads 77. The longtime Talking Heads keyboardist, and guitarist talked about how the band came up with its cutting edge sound,
"Every member of the band had a level of sophistication about art, and about culture," said Harrison. "When I joined the band, I felt that one of the things I did was sometimes create connections between different parts of the song as a trio it was difficult for them to do."
Some of the remastered tracks were debuted in the company L-Acoustics Creations immersive sound space in Westlake Village. L-Acoustics developed a surround sound system now being used at the places like the Hollywood Bowl. Harrison talks about remixing some of the band’s original songs.
"Like something like a hidden jem that a new process reveals," said Harrison.
Harrison said it feels amazing to have popular songs like Wild, Wild Life still being played by radio stations, and being listened to by fans.
"It's wonderful....it's remarkable, and it's wonderful."
The enduring popularity of the band’s music more than 20 years after it last performed as a group led to the project to remix, and re-release the albums. The band's classic music videos are also being remastered in high definition, and a new Talking Heads YouTube channel has been created.
Jason Jones is the A&R Director for Rhino Records. He says they are bringing the band into the modern age with new social media accounts.
"We're using this as not just an opportunity to create immersive mixes, but it's also the online debut of the band's first ever official website, said Jones. "There's a Talking Heads 77 merchandise collection, and social media is official for the very first time."
Some of the band members are still performing. In fact, Jerry Harrison will be at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on September 29th.
