"L" stands for LOVE IT!: The First "L-Word" Soundtrack Release Rocks! by Annette Warner

The L-word has become as controversial a show as it has become a TV icon for Lesbians all over the world. But the one thing that's not controversial in any language is the music. Some wonderful choices were included on the first soundtrack "the L word". GoGirlsMusic asked just a few questions of Ilene Chaiken, one of the 3 Executive Producers for the Soundtrack and Leisha Hailey, star of the series "the L word", and we got some answers that confirmed their personal adoration of the project and a promise of even more Indie-Music inclusion support to come with subsequent soundtrack releases.

GoGirls to Ilene Chaiken: Congratulations on a great release! Tell us a bit about the production team for "the L word" Soundtrack.

Ilene Chaiken: Everyone from the editors to the cast contribute music to the show. Natasha Duprey is the music supervisor for the L word and she gathers all different types of music for the editors to work with. The directors and the producers then watch the scenes and we decide what music stays. The final list of songs used on the show was then passed on to Tommy Boy, who released the soundtrack. Rosie Lopez (Soundtrack Producer) worked with us to select the best songs from the most memorable scenes and the clearance process began. She was responsible for putting the final album together, clearing the rights, adding the lyrics, etc… We were very happy with the first season's soundtrack. Expect more great music for season 2. We are already in discussions about next year's soundtrack --- we plan to have some original and/or exclusive music on the soundtrack.

GoGirls to Leisha Hailey: You co-wrote the opening song "Genius" with your duo group The Murmers and have also played in a rock group "Gush", it's a bit unclear to me now what is still currently on your list of many pursuits regarding music, but it is clear your musical background is just one of your multitude of creative outlets. You have been quoted as saying "The L Word is one of the top five things I'm most proud of in my life. I feel so honored to be a part of this movement," What are the other 4 things you are proud of?

Leisha Hailey: I am obviously proud of both bands I was in and their accomplishments. I have been pursuing my music career for over 12 years and it is always changing. I am currently working on a project in Texas where I will be opening a live music venue as well as a small record company. I also want to start another band soon.

GoGirls to Ilene Chaiken: Do either of you have a favorite track?

Ilene Chaiken: - I love Lucinda Williams. This is just a personal favorite!

Leisha Hailey: For sure it would be the song "In Spite of All the Damage" by the Be Good Tanya's. I love that song. Also I've always been a huge fan of Lucinda Williams.

GoGirls to Ilene Chaiken: I can't help but be sitting right in the front of the show again while listening to the CD and other than matching some sense between scene and music, one of the goals with any soundtrack is to obviously be able to associate the music with a certain show to an extent. Can you elaborate a bit on what the process is like for choosing "the L word" soundtrack tunes? Does the show employ 'scouts' for track hunting? And do you accept submissions by those artists interested in fishing for their chance to be on the show?

Ilene Chaiken: We compiled all of the songs used in the show and tried to find a group of songs that best ID'd with the season. Some of our faves that didn't make the album because their labels or managers would not approve the use were Indigo Girls, Damien Rice, and Leonard Cohen. There were other songs that Showtime used for advertising but if the songs were not used in the show, they were not considered for the soundtrack. Both Natasha Duprey and Rosie Lopez are actively looking for music for next season.

GoGirls to Ilene Chaiken: Is it a goal of "the L word" to actively support Indie musicians.

Ilene Chaiken: YES, we'll have more of that next season!

GoGirls: Ilene and Leisha thanks so much for your time and we are looking forward to other releases!

To our readers: This is definitely a soundtrack you'll want to treasure and add to your collection of winner productions!

Soundtrack Album Produced by: Rosie Lopez
Executive Soundtrack Producers: Ilene Chaiken, Natasha Duprey, Rosie Lopez
Manufactured and Distributed by: Tommy Boy Entertainment, LLC 32 West 18 Street, Penthouse, New York, NY 10011

Soundtrack includes:

Genius - The Murmurs
Right In Time - Lucinda Williams
Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love) - Ella Fitzgerald
Sol Ja Camba - Fantcha
The Weakness In Me - Joan Armatrading
Everybody's Somebody's Fool - Connie Frances
Drivin' You - Shelley Campbell
In Spite Of All The Damage - The Be Good Tanya's
Hallelujah - Rufus Wainright
Alright - Kinnie Starr
Blue Sky - Jason Collett
The Pleasure Song - Marianne Faithfull
In The Sun - Joseph Arthur
Frances & Her Friends - Frances Faye