Gossip Girl music supervisor unpacks Princess Nokia’s performance in "Fire Walks With Z"

“Fire Walks With Z” features popular tracks like “Levitating” by Dua Lipa, “Body” by Megan Thee Stallion, and “Best Friend” by Saweetie ft. Doja Cat, but the episode also highlights up-and-coming artists like Majid Jordan, Emotional Oranges, and Jaja Bu. Lowry says it’s an opportunity to add ridiculously big songs to the show and complement them with lesser known musicians. “There is something cool about using Ariana Grande or Billie Eilish. It adds production value, it looks expensive. In episode four, during the party scenes, it helps to have recognizability with Megan Thee Stallion or Dua Lipa,” Lowry explains. For him, it’s fun to introduce new artists during subtle and understated character moments instead: “They ground emotional scenes versus hearing some familiar songs that might overtake and be more powerful.”

Lowry has worked as the music supervisor for TV shows such as The Bold Type, Love Life, Ramy, and Miracle Workers, as well as movies like Freaky, The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things, and Serenity. But for the HBO Max series, he says his biggest inspiration was Alexandra Patsavas, the music supervisor for the original Gossip Girl, who has also contributed to the legendary soundtracks of teen dramas ranging from The O.C. to Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina. “Alex was always a huge hero of mine,” he says. “Her work, and Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage’s work in the original did play a big part in me getting into this industry. In their shows, music plays its own role and is its own character.”

To prep for creating each episode’s soundtrack, Lowry says he formed playlists for each of the main characters. “Those songs might not get used in any episode, but it’s for me to frame the narrative and see what that person—whether it’s Julien, Zoya, Obi, Monet whoever—is listening to and what’s their identity. I spoke to Josh [Safran] about the larger scope of the show, and his direction helped fill out the tone.” Their conversations were useful because Lowry wanted to get the tune right for the new GG. “It needs to fit the vibe, not be better or worse than the original,” he says, citing the opening song choices in both shows as an example.

The 2008 series pilot begins with Serena Van Der Woodsen (Blake Lively) gloomily staring outside the window of the train that’s bringing her back to New York City as the folksy whistling of “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John plays in the background. In the first episode of 2021's Gossip Girl, Kate Keller (Tavi Gevinson), looks beyond her MTA train window as “All My Girls Like To Fight” by Hope Tala plays. “It’s the perfect choice. It’s not indie pop or anything but it’s darker and more seductive, so very much in tune with the show.”

Like Princess Nokia, Tala is also a rising star in the music world whose work gets an additional platform, thanks to Gossip Girl. TV and film have long been avenues to discover artists and their songs; Lowry compares it to listening to the radio to find music to love. “I think it’s why music supervisors are so dialed in with the show creators now, we get to help tell the stories through music, and it adds value and depth to the stories and characters.” Teen TV has always taken it a step further, whether it’s The O.C., One Tree Hill, or Gossip Girl, all of which are known for their memorable soundtracks. “It’s because teenage fandoms are the best, especially with stan culture now. These people love their artists from music, film, TV. It’s cool to see them respond, and with the new GG, the stories are intergenerational so our music aims to appeal to a wider demographic.”