Jump into Summer 2023!

By David Carbonara on June 23, 2023September 12, 2023

With “Bossa Sixteen“

Preview – Bossa Sixteen (Single) David Carbonara 0:33

Jump into Summer 2023 as it’s the first weekend. Head to the beach and take along your favorite playlist, and hopefully, it will have “Bossa Sixteen” on it! Released one year ago, it’s my answer to Pacific Coast Highway, which I composed for Mad Men many years ago and remains a fan favorite. Both tracks are perfect for beaching it this year.

So go ahead and feel the sand between your toes and the sun on your face as you bask in the warm weather. Take a dip in the ocean for me. Pack some snacks and drinks to keep you hydrated throughout the day. Oh, yes, and bring along some friends.

And of course, “Pacific Coast Highway” for the drive!

And check out the full Pacific Coast Highway video here.

Jump into Summer 2023 On Spotify…

Head to the beach and Have a great swim!

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They Them Us – Score Soundtrack coming soon!

By David Carbonara on June 17, 2023September 3, 2023

But for now it’s only on Soundcloud.

Check it out, my score to “They/Them/Us”. The soundtrack will be coming soon.

“David Carbonara’s score perfectly captures the mood and atmosphere of the film”

So check it out and head over to Soundcloud and preview it before it’s on Spotify/Apple/YouTube.

The film tells the story of Charlie and Lisa, two divorced parents in their 40’s who find themselves at a midlife crossroads. Both are single parents and they have four complicated teenagers between them: one non-binary gender kid, one who orders his weed through the mail, the outspoken one, and last but not least, the “good” child. Lisa and Charlie meet on a dating site, fall madly in love and move in together way too soon. It’s the story of how they manage the challenges of parenting some very demanding teenagers while trying to juggle their new relationship.

And Check out “They/Them/Us” trailer on Youtube

Revisiting the Later Seasons of Mad Men

By David Carbonara on June 11, 2023June 13, 2025

While organizing my files, I came across my later seasons of Mad Men music, specifically the unreleased music for Mad Men, season 6 and season 7. Memories of working on the show flooded back, from the long hours in the studio to the satisfaction of creating the perfect sound. It was a challenging but fulfilling experience during the various seasons of Mad Men.

Roger & Don with friends at a diner in season 7.

Flaws & Missteps In The Later Seasons?

But one thing that struck me as I listened through the later seasons of music was how much I love it. Sure, I heard flaws and missteps that I didn’t notice at the time. Each one a testament to my evolution as an artist. And yes, sometimes it’s a humbling experience, bringing forth a mixture of nostalgia and critique that pushes me to reflect deeply on my journey. Though I enjoy listening through the music of the later seasons, it’s fascinating to realize how my perspective has shifted over the years. The revealing layers of meaning and emotion that I might have overlooked during the creative process.

But despite these imperfections, it’s also a reminder that growth is a never-ending process. Especially in the world of music, where every note, and chord, contributes to the mix of my artistic identity. These seasons of Mad Men music comfort me in knowing that even the most seasoned musicians face similar challenges. And that by embracing these moments of self-reflection can inspire further creativity and innovation in my future works.

A Final Thought

Later Seasons of Mad Men, this one from season 7.

It’s interesting to revisit the music from those seasons I worked on so many years ago and see how it still resonates with me: the themes that I had forgotten, and how I tried to move it forward in time by adding electric piano, electric bass, etc., but was held back and told that the earlier music worked best. Ugh! I’ll post one here, but check out my YouTube channel for more. There’s music from both Mad Men season 6 and season 7.

Selects from Mad Men unreleased music from seasons 6 and 7.

Joan Holloway, Office Manager

Don and the woman of Rome

How about That

“He’s On Nineteen / Come In Monday”

Mad Men Valentine’s Day 1962

By David Carbonara on February 14, 2023September 12, 2023

Mad Men’s Second Season Premier

Mad Men Valentine’s Day – Don takes Betty to the Savoy Hotel. While there, they run into Juanita (Jennifer Siebel Newsome on Mad Men) an old roommate of Betty’s from her modeling days, accompanied by an older business executive. Don points out to Betty that Juanita is clearly now working as a call girl.

We all remember Betty’s entrance!

“Song of India” which I recorded for this scene in Season 2 premier had to do two things for it to work. The first was it was to be used as playback for the on camera actors at the hotel. It was decided on a trio, Violin, Harp & piano. The second task was to become gigantic in orchestration to underscore Betty descending the hotel staircase to meet Don for their special Valentine’s date, as a result we can’t for get her entrance.

Here’s her entrance:

“Song of India” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, recorded and produced for Mad Men by David Carbonara

Later that night, Mad Men Valentine’s Day turns into Nightime

In the Drapers’ hotel room, a more confident Betty shows Don a sexy merry widow she has bought. The boldness throws Don, and when they try to have sex, he is impotent. The evening ends with Betty and Don watching the Jackie Kennedy TV special, A Tour of the White House with Mrs. John F. Kennedy. Also watching the special is Joan Holloway and her new doctor-boyfriend, and Salvatore Romano, who is newly married. Pete sits alone watching cartoons, eating the chocolates he purchased for his wife.

The season premier ends with Don reading the Frank O’Hara poem Meditations in an Emergency. “Now I am quietly waiting for the catastrophe of my personality to become beautiful again.” The underscore is a call back to season 1, specifically “The Carousel“.