Art mediums: Keyboardist/Composer/Producer
How do you describe your music? That’s a tough question! It really depends on the type of project I’m working on. With my film oriented compositions I’d say I draw from a wide range of influences. I love everything from big orchestral Hollywood scores from Bernard Hermann and John Williams to the more intimate scoring styles of Max Richter and Olafur Arnalds. I think my style shifts a lot based on what’s happening on screen, and I believe that playing to the emotional component of what’s happening in a scene is the single most important part of film scoring. That being said, I’m still pretty new to this whole film scoring thing, and I’m trying to learn and absorb as much as I can so I can grow as an artist. Outside of composing work, I play keyboards in several area bands that span a pretty wide range of genres.
Were you always interested in following a creative path? I specifically remember being about 12 years old and hearing the back half of The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” for the first time and just completely having my mind blown by the sheer scale and musicality of it all. I had loved music before that point, and had been playing piano for several years, but I think that was the moment that really inspired me to want to take music more seriously. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since!
What does your process of creating a musical piece look like? I don’t really have a set process for starting a piece of music. Sometimes I can just sit down at a piano and something comes out, but more often, I spend a lot of time tinkering with different sounds until I find something that inspires me. Either way, it’s a lot of tinkering with sounds, melodies, harmony, and rhythm.
Where do you get your creative inspiration? I really challenge myself to listen to as much new (to me) music as I possibly can. The last few years of my listening has been mainly dedicated to listening to classical music. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of discovering a new piece of music that completely moves you, and I think my inspiration comes from years of listening to and studying music. It’s not always trying to emulate the things I love, but trying to evoke that same emotional reaction in myself as I’m creating something.
Why do you love what you do? I love what I do because it’s extremely satisfying to create something that’s emotionally resonant from nothing. It’s addictive.
One thing that might surprise readers about your craft: I think people would be surprised how many film scores are made using sample libraries. A sample library is basically a software instrument that’s mapped to a keyboard and can sound like any instrument you like. A lot of the scores for TV shows and movies these days are made without ever putting a microphone next to an instrument!
Early bird or night owl? I prefer being a night owl, but I’m forced to be an early bird.
Last movie you watched or book you read: I recently re-read Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse Five.” It was one of my favorite books in high school, and it’s just as good the second time around!
Is the glass half full or half empty? I think my friends and family would tell you that I’m a glass half empty guy, but I think it’s because I have a somewhat sardonic sense of humor. In general, I try to be pretty optimistic about the state of things.
What makes you happiest: Spending time at home with my girlfriend and our dogs, and making music with my best friends.
Find more of Alex on Instagram @alexdrossart and @hangtenband, and at facebook.com/alex.drossart
