News November 23, 2015

Mushroom to release ’Molly’ film soundtrack

Former Editor

Mushroom Group via its Liberation Music will release the soundtrack to forthcoming miniseries Molly, about Australian music icon Ian ’Molly’Meldrum.

Set for a November 27 release, Do Yourself A Favour features songs by key figures in Molly’s career, including Skyhooks, Sherbet and John Paul Young, as well as some of the international chart-toppers he interviewed in his years writing forGo Set magazine, and as the host of CountdownandHey Hey it’s Saturday, including Blondie, Duran Duran and Billy Idol.

Over three discs and 60 tracks, Do Yourself A Favour also features contributions from personal friends Elton John (Kiss The Bride and Your Song), Lynne Randell (Ciao Baby) and Kylie (Locomotion).

Mushroom’s Michael Gudinski, who executive produced the two-part miniseries said: “I’m proud that Mushroom Pictures has now turned Molly’s life into a mini-series. Of course, it hasn’t been a stretch turning his life into a drama.

“All jokes aside, Molly is worthy of all the accolades and attention. No one has done more for Australian music.”

Set to air next year on Channel Seven, the TV drama is based on Jeff Jenkins’ biography of the music industry legend,The Never, Um … Ever Ending Story.

Funding for the series was injected by Screen Australia, the entertainment funding body who is investing over $12 million in 11 projects this year.

Molly is directed by Kevin Carlin (Blue Heelers,The Wedge,BoyTown) from a script written by local playwrights Matt Cameron and Liz Doran. It stars The Secret Life of Usstar Samuel Johnsonas Meldrum along with Tom O’Sullivan, TJ Power, Aaron Glenane, Rebecca Breeds and Krew Boylan, who played Schapelle Corby in Nine’s telemovie.

“It’s a surreal experience watching your life on screen,” Molly said.“For me, it only really makes sense when I listen to the music, the songs that are on this soundtrack.”

Molly is produced and distributed by Mushroom’s in-house film and TV company, Mushroom Pictures, which is in charge of the series’ domestic and international sales. The arm launched in ‘93 and played a hand in award-winning films like Chopper, Wolf Creek and Cedar Boys, along with documentaries like the AACTA award winningHead First (Series 1&2) and Such is Life: The Troubled Times of Ben Cousins.

2015 alone has seen Mushroom Pictures further explore feature documentary films. On Tuesday and Wednesday this week Mushroom will screen its doco on Elliot Smith, Heaven Adores You, and currently in post production in Adelaide is Boys In The Trees, Nicholas Verso’s debut featurefilm about two estranged childhood friends who reunite on Halloween.

Mushroom Pictures was formed in partnership with Morrissey Managementfounder Mark Morrissey, an industry leader in talent management and television production. The company’s production team is: John Molloy (Head of Production), Bethany Jones (Head of Business Affairs/ Producer), Marie Maroun (Development and Production Executive), and Development Coordinator’s Gemma Crofts, Robbie Miles and Olivia Calver. Melbourne-based Denise D’Sylva is Marketing Manager.

View the tracklisting forDo Yourself A Favour below:

DISC ONE