The use of music on FOX drama The O.C. gained much acclaim. Show creator Josh Schwartz wanted music to be a "character on the show" and the experienced Alexandra Patsavas took the role of music supervisor. The show's orchestral music was composed by Christopher Tyng. The series is credited with showcasing many artists, and helping to elevate them in the music business. Many acts made guest appearances on the show, and others premiered their new singles in episodes. Six official soundtrack albums were released, and these were compilations of predominantly indie music.
History
Alexandra Patsavas, who had previously worked on shows including Roswell and Carnivàle, was appointed as music supervisor on The O.C.. Patsavas worked alongside creator Josh Schwartz, in selecting the music to be used. In an interview with IGN, Schwartz said that he had "always intended that music be a character on the show" and music was selected in two ways: either it was written into the script or it was selected to suit a scene. Patsavas stated that Schwartz scripted a lot of the music, with some songs being selected before she saw the episode script. For example, for an episode Schwartz had scripted a cover of "Champagne Supernova", got permission from Oasis and collaborated with band Matt Pond PA to write a cover of it for the show. On another occasion Schwartz went to Phantom Planet and asked for a mellow version of California. The reason "California" became the theme to show was because "Josh Schwartz loved the way it worked in a scene in the pilot." At other times they watch the episodes' editors cut and pitch song ideas for specific scenes. Each week Patsavas created a compilation from the new releases sent into the producers, and at times they were being "sent around 400 or 500 CD's a week". Fox and The O.C. made indie rock a "main focus of the series" and also its marketing plan. Christopher Tyng, who composed the theme for Futurama, composed the show's orchestral music which included the ending theme. Shawn Rogers, Sub Pop's creative director of film and TV licensing, said that the show's choice of music was to "support bands and the style of music that they've been following" adding that artists were willing because "it pays well in comparison to what most indie bands make touring". However, Jimmy Tamborello, producer for The Postal Service, commented that it was just because "we're cheaper". Although exact figures are not known, Les Watkins, a music lawyer from Los Angeles, estimated that "a song by an emerging artist could fetch up to $20,000 or $30,000" and this is jointly split between record label and the songwriter/publisher. He stated that "once lawyers, managers, and the rest of the entourage get their piece, the artist may only see a fraction of the payout."
Artist performances
The Bait Shop The Bait Shop is introduced in the second season as a new night club and concert venue on the pier. It was an undeniable reference to Beverly Hills, 90210's "Peach Pit". New character Alex works there and Schwartz described her as "our 'Nat', if you will." Schwartz described the venue:
Basically the Bait Shop is a little bit modeled after clubs like The Troubadour in Los Angeles or CBGB in New York, meaning it's kind of got more of a down, kind of older feel. It's on the pier and the idea was that maybe, once upon a time, it was an actual bait shop and now it's been converted into this rock club. I think it's really cool. It's got a lot of texture to it. It's got a lot of grit to it. It's been a great set for us and it's a great place for the kids to hang out. Because it's pier-adjacent, we get to go out there and shoot out by the water at night, too. I think it's just going to be a real iconic set for the show."
The actual filming location was the northeast corner of Redondo Beach pier.
Guest appearances Rooney were the first act to perform on the show when the adolescents go to a concert as part of the episode "The Third Wheel". For the first-season finale, singer Jem performed a cover of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed". For the second season, a club called the Bait Shop was introduced, and early on in the season the bands The Walkmen, The Killers, and Modest Mouse all featured on the show playing at the club. Although not strictly playing himself, actor Peter Gallagher (as Sandy Cohen) had previously sung on Broadway and in the episode "The Power of Love" he serenades his wife Kirsten by singing a cover of Solomon Burke's "Don't Give Up on Me" at The Bait Shop. Other artists to perform at the club that season were The Thrills, Rachael Yamagata, and Death Cab for Cutie. In the episode "The Return of the Nana", Seth and Ryan visit Miami, and end up at a spring break style party where rapper T.I. guest stars as himself. For the third season, The Subways, Tom Vek, and Cobra Verde all made guest appearances performing in The Bait Shop.
Premieres In addition to having guest artists perform on the show, it also premiered many new music tracks: The Beastie Boys single "Ch-Check It Out" debuted on the show in the episode "The Strip" that aired April 28, 2004. During the second season, U2 debuted their song "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" at the end of an episode on December 2, 2004. Gwen Stefani debuted her single "Cool" in an episode on December 9, 2004. In promoting his new album, Guero, Beck debuted five tracks from the album on March 10, 2005, with that week's installment being dubbed a "Beckisode" by the media. Another music premiere was Coldplay's song "Fix You", which debuted on May 12, 2005, in the final scene of the episode in which characters find out Caleb had a fatal heart attack. Imogen Heap, a former member of Frou Frou, had her new single debut on the show on May 19, 2005 – "Hide and Seek" featured twice in the episode "The Dearly Beloved". The single "Turn on Me" from band The Shins was first played in "The French Connection" on January 11, 2007.
Reception
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