Zhu and Joe Trapanese Craft Propulsive Score for 'He Bled Neon'

The dark, electronic soundtrack elevates the SXSW film's tone and action.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:26pm

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When director Drew Kirsch and producer Nate Bolotin began conceptualizing the film 'He Bled Neon,' they knew they needed a score that elevated its dark tone. They turned to composer Joe Trapanese and Grammy-nominated musician Zhu to craft a dark and propulsive soundtrack that would make the action-packed revenge tale set in Las Vegas unforgettable.

Why it matters

Music is a crucial component in creating memorable cinema, and the filmmakers behind 'He Bled Neon' recognized the importance of finding the right composers to match the film's dark, neon-soaked aesthetic and high-octane thrills.

The details

Trapanese and Zhu collaborated closely with the director and producer to develop a score that would heighten the film's intensity and mood. The result is a dark, electronic soundtrack that propels the story forward with a sense of urgency and danger.

  • The film 'He Bled Neon' premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival.

The players

Drew Kirsch

The director of 'He Bled Neon'.

Nate Bolotin

The producer of 'He Bled Neon' and co-founder of XYZ Films.

Joe Trapanese

The composer who collaborated with Zhu on the score for 'He Bled Neon'.

Zhu

The Grammy-nominated musician who worked with Trapanese on the dark, propulsive score for 'He Bled Neon'.

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What they’re saying

“We had aspirations of grandeur, but we wanted to give audiences not just a film they remember, but a score and songs they remember.”

— Nate Bolotin, Co-founder of XYZ Films

The takeaway

The collaboration between Trapanese and Zhu on the score for 'He Bled Neon' demonstrates the power of music to elevate a film's tone and impact, creating a memorable cinematic experience for audiences.