North Carolina folk singer Jake Xerxes Fussell and Chicago-based guitarist James Elkington have collaborated on the soundtrack for Rebuilding, a new film directed by Max Walker-Silverman. The duo’s first original score arrives November 14 via Fat Possum, coinciding with the film’s New York theatrical release. Hear two selections—”Contemplating the Moon” and “Glow in the Dark”—below.
“I could hear the cinema in it right away,” producer Dan Janvey said of Fussell in a press statement. “His music is rooted firmly in all the folkloric traditions I love but not at all nostalgic. And that was much like the film we were making; a story in which the past is all around but firmly of the here and now. And since so much of his music has no lyrics, Jake already understood the challenge of telling a story through instrumentation alone.”
Elkington added: “I think Max had a suspicion that we’d be able to improvise a couple of new pieces in the room, while watching the picture, which turned out to be true. Some of our favorite cues were written that way—in the room while watching the picture.” Elkington has produced Fussell’s last two albums—2022’s Good and Green Again and 2024’s When I’m Called, in 2024—and shared his own latest solo album, Pastel De Nada, earlier this year.
Rebuilding is Walker-Silverman’s first directorial effort since 2022’s A Love Song. The film follows Josh O’Connor as a cowboy whose southern Colorado ranch has burned down in a wildfire. It also stars Lily LaToree, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis, and Amy Madigan.
Rebuilding:
01 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Prelude”
02 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Mountain Time”
03 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “A Cowboy Without Cows”
04 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Glow in the Dark”
05 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “The Magic Boots”
06 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Riding to the Ranch”
07 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Callie Rose”
08 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Brother Theo”
09 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Daybreakers”
10 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Rebuilding”
11 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Chile Roast Waltz”
12 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Contemplating the Moon”
13 Kathy Rose / Nancy Morlan: “Don’t Steal My Heart Away”
14 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Things We Lost”
15 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “County Z”
16 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Night Library”
17 Jake Xerxes Fussell / James Elkington: “Begin Again”
