Scores of possibilities

For many of my Red Rope Theatre commissions, (specifically their run of Gothic Horror productions) I could lean on my love of Mozart but also that of more contemporaty composers like James Bernard - who famously scored many of the classic Hammer Horror films.

Collaboration has also been an enormously important and enjoyable part of my growth as an artist. Not only has it helped develop and inform the decisions I make as a composer and a performer, but has also put me in good stead for working seamlessly with clients as a producer.

I have always had eclectic tastes in music; everything from classical music to hip-hop, so when it comes to songwriting and composition I've enjoyed the freedom of being able to draw on the broad and colourful palet available to me via the various, disparate musical styles I've absorbed.

Being able to access these elements is crucial when tasked (whether by choice or commission) with any new project. And more, the ability to blend genres is a fabulous tool when attempting to create something new.

All types of scoring and songwriting projects come with their own disciplines, but whether it's film score, TV/library music, theatre score, podcast music or singer/songwriter styles, a writer's approach needs to be fluid - even within the type of work itself.

For their run of dark folk tales (for which I've had the great pleasure of collaborating with Alba Torriset - subsequently forming Crooked Worlds) we look more to various Europen folk styles and instruments for inspiration.

For example: while there will be certain expectations and linears when it comes to scoring film; one director's approach may well be worlds apart from the next.

Additionally, given the exponential speed at which media technology is evolving there will always be new ways to approach every project.

I was also glad to collaborate with Alba for much of the score for an as-yet-unreleased folk-horror film from Bardulf Creative called 'Catflap'.

I also recorded, edited and sourced both sound and music for this film. It's still in the production stages at the moment so I can't say too much about it right now but as soon as I can, I will!

Another example of my collaborative work is an album I wrote with fellow musician Stu McLoughlin.

It's an album built from music which came to me in dreams. Read about it in my blog 'What dreams may come'.

Listen HERE to some of my works which have been featured on TV across the globe.

Oh, and for anyone who needs to hear it - I don't, nor will I ever use AI to write my music!