Grey's Anatomy, in its three seasons on the air, has become known for its excellent selection in music.  Both Grey's Anatomy soundtracks have become hits, and every episode brings new and exciting bands into national consciousness.  Last night's episode of Grey's Anatomy was no exception.

8MM is a band formed by the husband and wife team of Sean and Juliette Beavan.  Their unique sound has led their songs to feature appearances twice on the CW show One Tree Hill.  Last night, their song "Liar" was the featured song on Grey's Anatomy, immediately exposing 8MM to 25 million prospective new fans.  Sean is best known for his work as a producer for Nine Inch Nails and Mariilyn Manson.  Juliette fronts 8MM with her ethereal and unforgettable singing voice.  The two were gracious enough to sit down for an interview with us at BuddyTV yesterday.


How did 8mm come to be?

Sean: It's the same old tale of boy meets girl, they fall in love, get married and then 7 years into their relationship he finds out she has a beautiful and inspiring voice and they find they are the perfect writing partners. I know that seems impossible but it happened to us.


Sean, how did you go from the music genres of Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson to the more mellow sound that 8mm has?

I remember listening to the radio and picking out production ideas and being able to tell who produced this record or who mixed that from when I was a young boy. I became a musician very early on and just had a profound love for the emotional content of any genre of music. I loved Sinatra and Nat King Cole as much as I loved Pink Floyd or Slayer. I loved the aggression and cathartic release (and cool sounds and innovative spirit) of NIN and Manson, but at the same time I was a huge fan of The Blue Nile and Stina Nordenstam. With 8mm I think I mostly refer back to my father's Antonio Carlos Jobim records. I loved the dark swing and cooly reflective and somber lyrics of songs like "Quiet Night of Quiet Stars". The songs were achingly romantic and doomed tales of love and sorrow and it seemed as if the sorrow was the most fulfilling. I hope you get what I mean. I wanted to try to capture that with 8mm and I found my muse in Juliette's voice and her stories.


Do you both write the lyrics?

Sean: Juliette writes the Lion's share and I mostly act as her editor, commenting and adding a line or two if she's stuck on something. Every once and a while I throw my hat in the ring.


Where do those lyrical inspirations come from?

Juliette: Voyeurism, mostly. I've always been a people watcher so there are thousands of people wandering loose in my head whose stories I'd made up because something about my encounter with them struck me. But generally, they wander aimlessly until Sean plays something on the guitar or piano then someone steps forward and says, "Wait! That's me! That's my story!". In other words, it's synergy. Something in Sean's little black heart pours out into whatever instrument is in his hands and focuses these rambling tales floating in my head. It's an amazing feeling. However, when Sean writes the stories, like in "Forever and Ever, Amen" and "Outlaw Song" (the hidden track on our record), it's fairly easy to tell its him because, well, as one of our friends so aptly put it, "Sean's got a thing about God"...well, he was raised Catholic. I think that makes it his birthright.



Juliette, had you been passionate about singing before meeting Sean?

No. I've always been passionate about story telling and entertaining...I am New Orleanian, after all. Singing was a happy accident that has consequently turned into my favorite medium for the stories I like to tell.


What genres or specific artists most influence your sound?

Sean: Antonio Carlos Jobim and Frank Sinatra, The Velvet Underground, David Lynch, Radiohead, Sigur Ros and fellow trip hop artists Tricky, Portishead, and Massive Attack. There is a good helping of PJ Harvey, Aimee Mann, Michael Penn, and the Beatles as well. We like very emotional music and we have no problem drawing from a multitude of influences. The idea of Narcocorridos were an inspiration lyrically on this album though we didn't do anything that lifted the style specifically we were just inspired by the idea of singing about specific crimes which is where Juliette went with it.


How did you guys get your song to be featured on Greys Anatomy?

We work with the very motivated and supportive licensing representative, Bank Robber Music. We're not precisely sure how Lyle (BRM) works, but we're fairly certain voodoo is involved.


Do you feel that your music has the power to enhance a show like Grey's Anatomy?

Juliette: Music is a fantastic tool for enhancing or coloring a scene's emotional landscape. Great actors get their point across with subtly and skill and music seems to aide in the journey that an audience takes with an actor. Sound appeals to us on such a deep level, primal even, that it instantly transports us into the character's heart and mind. It solidifies the suspension of disbelief...we know this person now, we're emotionally involved. So, the answer is yes, our music can enhance a scene. After all, we are setting about the business ofinfiltrating your heart.


What is it like working with your significant other all of the time?

Perfect. Really, but then again we're freakishly happy together.


What is next for the band?

Same as always; world domination.


8MM Official Site
8MM: Songs to Love and Die By