Cillian Murphy and Fontaines D.C.’s Grian Chatten on Crafting ‘Puppet’ for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man

Unveiling the creative spark behind ‘Puppet’ from Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man soundtrack, as Cillian Murphy and Grian Chatten dive into the magic of making music for this iconic series.

When Music Meets Peaky Blinders: An Unlikely but Perfect Match

If you’re anything like me, the Peaky Blinders series isn’t just a show—it’s a mood, a vibe, a dive into a gritty, beautifully dark world that stays with you long after the screen goes black. So, when I heard about the upcoming film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, I was already buzzing. But what really turns the dial up to eleven? The soundtrack crafted specifically for it, including a standout track called ‘Puppet’, by none other than Grian Chatten of Fontaines D.C..

Grian Chatten with Cillian Murphy sharing the creative process behind ‘Puppet’

This film is a spin-off from the hit Netflix series, slated to hit select cinemas on March 6, before streaming on Netflix from March 20. Cillian Murphy reprises his iconic role as Tommy Shelby, bringing that sharp intensity fans adore.

From Intimate Gigs to Big Screens: The Journey of ‘Puppet’

Earlier this year, the soundtrack was announced, revealing five fresh tracks created exclusively for the film. Alongside Grian Chatten’s haunting single ‘Puppet,’ we’ll hear contributions from Amy Taylor of Amyl & The Sniffers, and other members of Fontaines D.C. The whole soundtrack drops on March 6, a perfect companion to the film’s cinematic release.

The first single out, ‘Puppet,’ offers an eerie and delicate vibe that feels tailor-made for the dark streets of Birmingham. It’s fascinating to hear from Chatten himself about how the song came to be. In a clip shared on the official Peaky Blinders social channels, Chatten sits down with Cillian Murphy to discuss their collaboration.

Murphy reminisced about attending Fontaines D.C.’s intimate launch show for their 2024 album Romance, recalling that their sound felt like it was made for Peaky Blinders. This led him and the film’s director Tom Harper to reach out to the band about creating original music for The Immortal Man. Quite the fanboy moment, if you ask me!

“It’s been a show all of us have been watching for a long time. We wanted to kind of do something that sounded inherently Peaky. It’s a songwriter’s dream, really.” — Grian Chatten

Delicate Lyrics and a Knife’s Edge Sound: The Making of ‘Puppet’

Grian Chatten shines a light on the precision that went into the song’s lyrics and vocal delivery. He explains that ‘Puppet’ was perhaps the most delicate track, with vocals sitting very close in the mix. He describes how even a minor misstep, like the wrong letter at the end of a word, could throw off the entire tension and mood.

“There’s a precariousness, I think, in the verses in the music. It’s kind of on a knife’s edge, that’s where the tension comes from.” — Grian Chatten

This tension and fragility perfectly mirror the precarious lives of the Shelby family, caught between power and peril. Listening to ‘Puppet,’ you can feel that subtle unease woven into every note, making it a genuinely immersive experience.

Why Fontaines D.C. Feels Like the Perfect Soundtrack for Peaky Blinders

Cillian Murphy recently expressed his admiration for Fontaines D.C.’s music on BBC Radio 1. He shared how certain types of music just fit Peaky Blinders — music with an outlaw edge, a dangerous vibe, and something raw and authentic. Fontaines D.C.’s sound checked all those boxes, making them a natural fit for this project.

“The Fontaines music seems to work, it has that outlaw quality, that dangerous quality …. they’re incredible songs, so it just clicked for us.” — Cillian Murphy

I couldn’t agree more. There’s an undeniable synergy between the brooding world of Tommy Shelby and the melancholic yet rebellious spirit of Fontaines D.C. It’s that very energy that transforms the soundtrack from mere background noise into an essential character in the story.

More Than Just One Song: The Star-Studded Immortal Man Soundtrack

The soundtrack rolls out a rich palette beyond Fontaines D.C. Nick Cave lends his voice to a new take on ‘Right Hand Man,’ while there are also two transformative Massive Attack covers performed by Grian Chatten and the Irish-Cornish outfit Girl In The Year Above. Plus, Chatten collaborates with doom-folk legends Lankum on their haunting track ‘Hunting The Wren.’

This variety perfectly complements the film’s intense narrative set in Birmingham, 1940, amidst the chaos of WWII.

The Story Continues: What’s Next for Tommy Shelby?

The Peaky Blinders TV series closed with Tommy Shelby riding off into the sunset after discovering his terminal brain tumor was a false diagnosis by one of his many enemies. The film dives back into his world, with the official synopsis teasing a darker reckoning:

“Birmingham, 1940. Amidst the chaos of WWII, Tommy Shelby is driven back from a self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet. With the future of the family and the country at stake, Tommy must face his own demons, and choose whether to confront his legacy, or burn it to the ground. By order of the Peaky Blinders…”

It sounds like the stakes have never been higher, and with a soundtrack as compelling as this, the whole experience promises to be unforgettable.

FAQ

• What is the song ‘Puppet’ and who created it?
  ‘Puppet’ is an original song by Grian Chatten of Fontaines D.C., written specifically for the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man film soundtrack.
• When will the Peaky Blinders movie and soundtrack be released?
  The film will appear in select cinemas on March 6, with Netflix streaming from March 20. The soundtrack also drops on March 6.
• Who else is featured on the soundtrack?
  Apart from Fontaines D.C., the soundtrack includes contributions from Amy Taylor, Nick Cave, Massive Attack covers by Grian Chatten and Girl In The Year Above, and a collaboration with Lankum.
• How did Fontaines D.C. get involved with Peaky Blinders?
  Cillian Murphy and director Tom Harper approached the band after Murphy felt their music perfectly suited the show’s mood.
• What themes does the song ‘Puppet’ explore?
  ‘Puppet’ carries a precarious and tense atmosphere, reflecting the delicate balance of power, danger, and emotion in the Peaky Blinders universe.

If you’re a fan of the gritty charm of Peaky Blinders and the haunting melodies of Fontaines D.C., why not bring a piece of that magic into your space? Shop your favorite album cover poster and celebrate the music that brings this world to life at Architeg Prints.