Lakeshore Records will release the Grandma – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally on August 14 and on CD August 28, 2015. The album features the film's original score by Joel P. West with songs performed by Angus and Julia Stone, and West's bands The Tree Ring and Flood Coats.
"In a lot of ways, Grandma is a road trip movie even though it just takes place in Elle's neighborhood," explained West. "Paul [Weitz, writer/director] wanted to capture that energy in the moments that Elle and Sage are connecting in the car, so we incorporated a lot of folk music elements to capture that fun, rollicking feeling of driving around with a friend."
"Since this film focuses on Elle as she reflects on her life, I started by scoring the two long scenes where she is alone," described West. "The first scene takes place at the start of the film, when she spends some time looking through old memories after breaking up with Olivia, and the second happens at the end when she takes a cab by herself later in the film. When Elle is around other people she is outspoken and abrasive, but those two moments let us see how vulnerable and lonely she is, and how she misses Violet and is realizing that her life and work are winding down."
"The other major musical tone is the introspective, nostalgic side of Elle as she looks back on her life," West continued. "We explored a lot of ideas to try and capture the complicated feelings that tend to bubble up when we're looking through old relics and reminiscing, and we landed on a blend of delicate strings, harp, and some mellow electric guitars."