Soundtrack Of My Life: David Dastmalchian

The first song I remember hearing

Kermit The Frog – ‘Rainbow Connection’

“Music is so important to me. It has been since I was a kid watching The Muppet Movie. Seeing Kermit The Frog sitting in the pond and singing ‘Rainbow Connection’ really shaped me. I was super scared of the world but I could also feel something beautiful out there, calling to the dreamer in me. ‘Rainbow Connection’ made me feel like there was a place I belonged. It’s a beautiful, mystical and magical song that continues to be so meaningful and powerful. When I got married, it was the song that played at the beginning of the ceremony.”

The first album I ever bought

‘Sounds Of Terror’

“It was a Halloween compilation album that had a picture of Dracula on the cover, with blood dripping down his face. I was in Kindergarten at the time, and begged my father to buy it for me. One side was Halloween bubblegum pop songs such as ‘The Monster Mash’, ‘The Purple People Eater’ and ‘Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On The Bed Post Overnight)’ which I loved.

“The other side was these utterly terrifying sound effects from horror films. It was exactly what the album title promised but it scared me to the point I was actually shivering with fear. My Mum, who was very religious and didn’t really like Halloween, was pissed and made my dad take it back to the store. I was crushed. Now, I own 60 vintage Halloween records and play them for my kids.”

The first gig I went to

Tool, Kansas City Memorial Hall, 1994

“When I was very little, my parents took me to see Amy Grant, who makes Christian rock. Being in an arena and seeing a musician play live was pretty fantastic but the first show that I chose to go to was Tool when I was in high school. They have always been one of my favourite bands and they were supported by The Flaming Lips and Failure; all three of those bands have been profoundly impactful on me. The experience of hearing such different approaches to rock was breathtaking.”

The song that reminds me of home

Gonzo – ‘I’m Going To Go Back There Someday’

“Another one from The Muppet Movie. It just takes me right back to being in my attic bedroom as a kid in Kansas.”

The song I wish I’d written

Fastball – ‘The Way’

“I love that song. There’s also ‘Sex And Candy’ by Marcy Playground or ‘Got You (Where I Want You) by The Flys. I’d love to be able to tell people I’d written any of those songs.”

You clearly love music – did you ever want to be in a band?

“I was in a few bands as a teenager. One of them was called Atrium, which featured a very talented bass player, guitarist and keyboardists. I was the singer and I wasn’t very talented, but I could hold a note and enjoyed performing onstage. We covered Radiohead’s ‘Creep’, Styx’’ ‘Come Sail Away’, ‘American Woman’ by The Guess Who and a lot of Rush – basically songs that would bring the house down at parties. Then when I got to college, some of my friends started pursuing the serious life of a professional musician and I came to the sobering realisation that I should be an appreciator instead of a creator.”

The song I can’t get out of my head

Nine Inch Nails ­– ‘Only’

“It’s perfect for whatever mood I’m in. If I get up feeling anxious or aggressive, if I’m working out or I’m on my way somewhere, it’s the song that plays in my head. As soon as I hear it, it’s stuck there. The fact I’ve just said the title means it’s going to be in my head for the next couple of days. Nine Inch Nails are one of those bands that changed my life.”

You’re friends with Trent Reznor, have you ever spoken about working together?

“He’s an incredible human being who’s made me feel really welcomed and supported. He’s somebody I look up to and admire and as an artist, he’s really pushed himself to explore the lengths of his talents. To be friends with him is a gift and I want to be very protective of that. It would be really intimidating to bring up the idea of any kind of collab.”

The song I can no longer listen to

Failure – ‘Stuck On You’

“I can’t really go into it, but that’s definitely one song I can’t listen to. There’s also a particular song by Neutral Milk Hotel that if I heard it playing in a public place, I’d have to go and stick my head in a sink somewhere.”

The song that makes me cry

Elton John – ‘Your Song’

“My kids have great taste in music, which I’m really proud about. My daughter is seven and has really fallen for the power of Taylor Swift’s songwriting. She’s a hardcore Swiftie but right now, she’s on a real Elton John tear.  As I was walking past her room the other day, I caught her singing along to ‘Your Song’ and I got a little choked up. So that made me cry, but in a really beautiful way.”

The song that makes me want to dance

Of Montreal – ‘Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games’

“‘Let’s have bizarre celebrations’. That song just makes me want to dance every fucking time I hear it. It’s such a jam.”

The song I do at karaoke

Styx – ‘Come Sail Away’

“I really love karaoke and I’ve got a whole list on my phone. Let me get it up so I don’t leave off any favourites… So there’s Styx’ ‘Come Sail Away’, ‘Part Of Your World’ from The Little Mermaid, ‘Hold Me Now’ by The Thompson Twins and ‘The Promise’ by When In Rome.”

The song I want played at my funeral

Pink Floyd – ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’

“Well, I’d like it to go from ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ right into ‘Wish You Were Here’. So two Pink Floyd tracks seamlessly flowing together. When I listen to the lyrics of those songs, the movie of my life plays in my head. But they’re also really long, beautiful songs and I’d want everybody to just sit there and really be in that moment.”

David Dastmalchian is in ‘Murderbot’, available to watch now on Apple TV+, and ‘The Life Of Chuck’, in UK cinemas August 22

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