Someone once told me, “it takes ten years to truly arrive as a media composer”. Looking back now, ten years later, I not only agree, but would also add that despite the long journey, there is nothing I would have changed about my career trajectory thus far.
I began as a runner at Amber Music when I was 18, gaining first-hand access to the seasoned expertise and knowledge of in-house composers, whilst also sitting in direct proximity with leading Music Producers. Holding this position in the formative stages of my career is something I am privileged to have had, and I picked up industry knowhow that simply cannot be gleaned from any other source. All things considered, I believe this was the best possible foundation upon which to build a basis as a media composer.
Within a year of leaving Amber Music, I had scored music for a major multi-national advertising campaign (Samsung) and an Ivor Novello nominated video game (Empire: Total War). More recently, I have written original scores for Channel 4’s dramatised documentary series True Horror, co-written the music for E4’s teen-drama Glue (written by Jack Thorne), had a commercial played at the Superbowl half-time show, written music for the US Marines recruitment campaign, telecoms companies, banks, fashion brands and everything else in between.
In the interim, I wrote for various composers. These relationships led me towards creating music for a wide variety of projects in film, games and advertising, adding to my portfolio a hugely varied and eclectic mix of music and sound design.
Working with live musicians, recording myself, or drawing on my own vast library of personal sounds, I have come to find my own style: extensive use of vocal textures, warped organic landscapes, personally crafted sound palettes with a blend of electronic elements. I like to approach briefs from new angles and my production is often commented on for being unexpected and for its evocative and emotional quality.
Previously a performing cellist and vocalist as well as a songwriter and guitarist for a gigging band, I now create original tracks, as well as internationally released remixes under the alias JKS?.
Based in London, I have undertaken projects from every continent and am equally at home recording an orchestral session in Bratislava, an up-and-coming vocalist at Abbey Road, or by myself designing new sounds in my studio.
