May 19, 2025 |
Aside from the clothes, the first thing you remember from a legendary fashion show is its soundtrack. Inside 10 Magazine Issue 74, we spotlight 10 musicians and sound engineers who are adept in masterminding catwalk scores that have gone on to become certified fashion moments in their own right. Next up, Cyrus Goberville.
Goberville might have only produced his first catwalk score show last year, but he knows how to make quite the entrance. Soundtracking Seán McGirr’s sophomore McQueen show, he collaged menacing drum and bass with witchy house beats, closing out with The Fall’s cover of Lost in Music.
Cyrus wears jacket by CARHARTT WIP, hoodie by SUPREME, shoes by NIKE
What does music bring to a fashion show?
Music first brings pace and emotion to a show, [then] emphasises dramaturgy to embody and gives life to the concept envisioned by the designer.
What’s your approach to creating a fashion show soundtrack?
I like to either decide to follow the energy of the whole concept with the music or play against it. I love the balance you can create in only 12 minutes by switching to the perfect track – fitting smoothly at every level with the clothes and the concept – to the less intuitive one that sounds far from what you would expect but makes so much sense when you give it a bit more attention. Blending contradictory emotions is something I truly love with music.
How do you work with a designer?
Working with Seán McGirr on the Alexander McQueen show has been very organic as he’s got a genuine passion for music – we’ve been exchanging Spotify and YouTube links on WhatsApp. Plus we debate through voice notes and attend music shows together in London.
Which track or artists have you used the most?
McQueen SS25 was my first ever runway soundtrack so I can’t tell you about my favourite secret weapons yet!
What makes the perfect finale track?
Something nobody would forget, obviously, but it needs to be done with a certain attitude: being both humble and bold at the same time. I was very happy using The Fall’s cover of Sister Sledge’s Lost in Music for the finale of this show because it bridged two unexpected worlds in the history of music: a post-punk band from Manchester covering a cult disco track.
What musical fashion show moments stand out for you?
McQueen’s shows from the ’90s had pretty insane soundtracks! I’m also dying to listen to [Finnish electro duo] Pan Sonic’s compositions for Rei Kawakubo in the late ’90s. Recently, I really enjoyed the music selected by Clara Deshayes [aka Clara 3000] for the Prada shows.
What music genres define you?
Absolutely none. But if I had to choose one for this winter I would say lovers rock: romantic reggae is the best for the cold season.
What’s one fashion show you wish you’d created the soundtrack for?
I guess some of the Margiela ones!
Which designer has the best musical taste?
If you could only save three records from your collection, which would you choose?
I’m in Japan while answering this interview so I would pick any Maki Asakawa record, [she was] an iconic Japanese jazz and blues singer. Then maybe any of Theo Parrish’s Ugly Edits [series] and Klein’s Harmattan [2021].
Taken from 10 Magazine Issue 74 – MUSIC, TALENT, CREATIVE – on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
THE MUSIC MAKERS
Creative Editor GARTH ALLDAY SPENCER
Text PAUL TONER
Portrait FRANCESC PLANES
