The Daily Where ‘The Daily’ Gets Its Music
63 snips
Oct 25, 2025 
Join Dan Powell, the Creative Technical Manager at The New York Times, and Marion Lozano, a Senior Sound Designer and Composer, as they share insights into the musical backbone of the show. They discuss the essence of 'Daily' music, highlighting its energetic strings and modern feel. Hear about the clever use of minimal instrumentation, like piano and marimba, designed to complement the dialogue without overshadowing it. They even delve into the parallels between podcast scoring and club music, revealing how they craft tracks that resonate with listeners.
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Theme Song Defines The Sound
- The Daily's music DNA stems from its theme by Wonderly and shapes all other cues.
- It emphasizes momentum, strings, electric bass, and a present-tense news feel.
Track From An Unused Episode Became A Staple
- Marion wrote "Looking for Answers" for an unaired episode and it became heavily used immediately.
- Its minimal strings, marimba, and piano fit The Daily's neutral, classic sound.
Enders Create Reflective Space
- Ender cues are sparse and reflective to let listeners digest the episode before headlines.
- They use plucky strings, electric bass, and light drones to support closing exchanges.