Meet Matthew James: Film & TV Music Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew James and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve been a musician/writer/composer for my entire life, I finally made the leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles in 2017. A long year later (100 hour weeks), I started my own studio , 16 Cent Studios in Burbank, CA. Rewind to 2015. Like most working musicians, I held a day job. The namesake for my studio was directly taken from working as transcript advisor at a college that provided me with a hearty 16 cent raise on what would be my final review before they ultimately laid thousands of us off. It was in that moment I knew I had to make a change and take my passion. In my short time here, I’ve had the fortune of working as a composer/assistant on some major TV shows (Black Lightning, Being Mary Jane) and Films (Arkansas, The Djinn, Useless Humans). Everyday is a blessing when you get to do what you love for a living, given that I’ve been everything from a fry cook, to a janitor, caterer, bouncer, delivery driver and everything in between, I never take it for granted.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a film and television composer living in Burbank, CA. I moved to Los Angeles in spring of 2017 (almost 4 year anniversary) to take a job as an assistant to a composer. This was during the most difficult time in my life (while my mother was dying from cancer), I had a choice to make to relocate for this job. My first year and a half was a super grind, often 100 hour weeks, 7 days a week, months on end. I worked up to the point where I built out my own studio suite in the lovely Aura Sound & Color facility (Burbank, CA) in 2018. Since then I have been working tirelessly as an independent with 6 features under my belt, a MSNBC docuseries and multiple other credits.

I’d say going fully independent is what I’m most proud of and no, no it was not and is still not easy, probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, but the rewards are much greater than that of the ordinary day jobs I’ve worked in the past. I overcame the challenges with the help of my s/o, close friends in industry and family back home that have helped me through the dark times.

My brand is that I sacrifice all that is in me in order to get the best music for my filmmakers. Whether that requires 18 hour days with mere naps on the couch, or missing holidays, I’ve done it. I believe this will pay off in the end.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, pre-covid when I was living in WeHo, I used to love The Pikey for a quick pint and their specialty burger was easily top 10. Shame to hear it didn’t make it. Currently I mostly hang out in my studio, alone, in the dark -like the weird musical vampire (writing this at 3am) that I am. I love Malibu, namely Carbon beach when I can get away, Pine Mount Club and Big Bear have made it to that list as well. There’s many amazing spots in L.A. – but I’ve been in COVID jail so long I forgot about the real world.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family, friends, loved ones who did and more importantly, did not support me provided me with the motivation to pursue my career to the fullest.

Website: www.matthewjames.audio

Instagram: @matthewjamescomposer

Twitter: @MJamesComposer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011048595177

Yelp: 16 Cent Studios

Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.me/matthewjames