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Always Music in the Air: The Sound of Twin Peaks
A first-time-ever exploration of the 290 songs from the entirety of
Twin Peaks,
sure to
e
ntice fans of the David Lynch-Mark Frost's cult classic that revolutionized TV, with brand-new interviews with Frost and several of the key composers and musicians involved.
"Where we're from, the birds sing a pretty song and there's always music in the air." When author Scott Ryan (Fire Walk With Your Laura Disappeared, The Last Days of Letterman) heard those words on the television series Twin Peaks in 1990, he wanted to live there as well. Problem was, most of the music that played in Twin Peaks were not released. Only one soundtrack came out from the series, and one from the film. It wasn't until 2011 that director David Lynch and composer Angelo Badalamenti opened the archives and released every track on MP3. These tracks were never officially released and do not stream anywhere today.
Ryan interviews band members who performed the songs and music editors and directors from the series and draws from archived interviews with the late Badalamenti and singer Julee Cruise. This book explores all the music that was in the air, from Cruise's 1989 release Floating into the Night through all the Twin Peaks soundtracks, the 2011 online releases called the Twin Peaks Archives, and the releases from Twin Peaks: The Return in 2017.
Ryan conducts brand new-Interviews with Dean Hurley (composer for The Return, curator of the Twin Peaks Archive), Tim Hunter (director), Lori Eschler (music editor), David Slusser (composer, music editor), Kevin Laffey (A&R for Julee Cruise), Duwayne Dunham (editor, director), Kinny Landrum, (keyboards) and Al Regni (saxophone). Also included are excerpts from Ryan's 2018 interview with Cruise. Foreword by Brad Dukes ( An Oral History of Twin Peaks).
"Where we're from, the birds sing a pretty song and there's always music in the air." When author Scott Ryan (Fire Walk With Your Laura Disappeared, The Last Days of Letterman) heard those words on the television series Twin Peaks in 1990, he wanted to live there as well. Problem was, most of the music that played in Twin Peaks were not released. Only one soundtrack came out from the series, and one from the film. It wasn't until 2011 that director David Lynch and composer Angelo Badalamenti opened the archives and released every track on MP3. These tracks were never officially released and do not stream anywhere today.
Ryan interviews band members who performed the songs and music editors and directors from the series and draws from archived interviews with the late Badalamenti and singer Julee Cruise. This book explores all the music that was in the air, from Cruise's 1989 release Floating into the Night through all the Twin Peaks soundtracks, the 2011 online releases called the Twin Peaks Archives, and the releases from Twin Peaks: The Return in 2017.
Ryan conducts brand new-Interviews with Dean Hurley (composer for The Return, curator of the Twin Peaks Archive), Tim Hunter (director), Lori Eschler (music editor), David Slusser (composer, music editor), Kevin Laffey (A&R for Julee Cruise), Duwayne Dunham (editor, director), Kinny Landrum, (keyboards) and Al Regni (saxophone). Also included are excerpts from Ryan's 2018 interview with Cruise. Foreword by Brad Dukes ( An Oral History of Twin Peaks).
Audible Audio
Published March 6, 2025
About the author
Scott Ryan
36 books141 followersScott Ryan’s is the author of Twin Peaks: Through the Red Curtain, Always Music in the Air: The Sounds of Twin Peaks, Moonlighting: An Oral History, The Last Days of Letterman, Scott Luck Stories, thirtysomething at thirty, The Last Decade of Cinema, Lost Highway: the Fist of Love, But Couldn't I Do That?, and has essays in The Women of Amy Sherman-Palladino, and The Companions of Doctor Who.
He is the co founder and president of Fayetteville Mafia Press and Tucker DS Press
ScottRyanProductions.com
TuckerDSPress.com
Follow @scottluckstory and on Facebook for more information or e-mail superted455@gmail.com for promotional materials.
He is the co founder and president of Fayetteville Mafia Press and Tucker DS Press
ScottRyanProductions.com
TuckerDSPress.com
Follow @scottluckstory and on Facebook for more information or e-mail superted455@gmail.com for promotional materials.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 30, 2025
Scott Ryan is the perfect caretaker of all things David Lynch—Twin Peaks in particular—and this book proves it. The meticulous time he devotes to researching and reflecting on all 290 pieces of music is astounding. I’ve read many of Scott’s other works, but the love, care, and detail he pours into this one truly floored me.
Though I’m nowhere near as well-versed in the Twin Peaks archive cues—and, like Scott, tend to gravitate toward the FWWM cues—he never writes with even a hint of condescension toward fans who aren’t as deep in the lore. His voice is generous, welcoming, and always rooted in genuine admiration for the material.
This book is clearly a labor of love. Like me, Scott worries about who will remember these times, these songs, these films once our generation fades. There are so many gems hidden in the archive, and I listened to every cue as I read. The world of Twin Peaks is magical, and the more I try to learn, the more I realize how much mystery remains. Scott makes this world easier to navigate without ever diminishing its suspense, beauty, horror, or nostalgia. Like an onion, each layer you peel back only reveals more wonder.
While David Lynch rightly gets much of the credit, this book also highlights just how many people it takes to create a series—especially one as beloved as Twin Peaks. Even the musicians, editors, and writers behind the music alone were part of a vast, intricate undertaking.
I cried twice while reading. Once near the end, when Scott speaks from the heart about his desire to preserve all this gorgeous noise. And again at the close of the special thanks section, where he advocates for kindness and invites readers to reach out. I did exactly that when I received an ARC of his book on 1990s films. Since then, I’ve felt more connected to this wonderful Twin Peaks community, even participating in workshops with fans from around the world.
Don’t be intimidated by the level of detail in this book. Whether you’re new to Twin Peaks or gearing up for another rewatch, just dive in. Our noble steward will guide you.
I can’t wait to read Scott’s newest Twin Peaks book, and I look forward to continuing to support—and be a part of—the Twin Peaks community.
Though I’m nowhere near as well-versed in the Twin Peaks archive cues—and, like Scott, tend to gravitate toward the FWWM cues—he never writes with even a hint of condescension toward fans who aren’t as deep in the lore. His voice is generous, welcoming, and always rooted in genuine admiration for the material.
This book is clearly a labor of love. Like me, Scott worries about who will remember these times, these songs, these films once our generation fades. There are so many gems hidden in the archive, and I listened to every cue as I read. The world of Twin Peaks is magical, and the more I try to learn, the more I realize how much mystery remains. Scott makes this world easier to navigate without ever diminishing its suspense, beauty, horror, or nostalgia. Like an onion, each layer you peel back only reveals more wonder.
While David Lynch rightly gets much of the credit, this book also highlights just how many people it takes to create a series—especially one as beloved as Twin Peaks. Even the musicians, editors, and writers behind the music alone were part of a vast, intricate undertaking.
I cried twice while reading. Once near the end, when Scott speaks from the heart about his desire to preserve all this gorgeous noise. And again at the close of the special thanks section, where he advocates for kindness and invites readers to reach out. I did exactly that when I received an ARC of his book on 1990s films. Since then, I’ve felt more connected to this wonderful Twin Peaks community, even participating in workshops with fans from around the world.
Don’t be intimidated by the level of detail in this book. Whether you’re new to Twin Peaks or gearing up for another rewatch, just dive in. Our noble steward will guide you.
I can’t wait to read Scott’s newest Twin Peaks book, and I look forward to continuing to support—and be a part of—the Twin Peaks community.
July 5, 2025
If you don't listen to the audiobook version of this read by Scott, you're only cheating yourself.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews