Blank Check with Griffin & David O Brother, Where Art Thou? with Emily St. James
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Aug 31, 2025 Emily St. James, a writer on 'Yellowjackets' and author of 'Woodwork,' dives into the quirks of 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?'. She highlights the film's soundtrack, which overshadowed its cinematic strengths, and discusses George Clooney's unique career trajectory. The conversation meanders from absurdities in gourmet dining to exploring profound themes of race in music. Additionally, they touch on the evolution of filmmaking techniques and how nostalgic television shows shaped pop culture today, making this chat a delightful mix of humor and insight.
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Youth Catalyzed Roots Revival
- The O Brother soundtrack tapped 20-somethings into bluegrass and old-time music, making roots music mainstream again.
- Its popularity felt independent from the film and sparked concerts and documentaries.
Soundtrack's Extraordinary Sales
- The soundtrack sold roughly 6 million copies in its first 18 months and reached octuple platinum later.
- By October 2019 it had sold about 8.1 million copies in the U.S., a rare soundtrack phenomenon.
Traditional Songs Boosted The Album
- Much of the album's material is traditional and not copyrighted, aiding its production and profitability.
- T-Bone Burnett curated and produced performances that felt authentic and earned mainstream success.
