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

Hi Seth, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
The most difficult part about finding a work-life balance has been learning to let go. I moved to Los Angeles a few years ago with the same drive that most people have; I wanted to learn how to write like the musical artists I look up to. Like many, I wanted it so badly that I burnt myself out for years. I avoided sleep, said yes to everything, and spent all of my free time watching educational YouTube videos, studying scores, or desperately interrogating those already in the industry. The strange thing about aspiration, is that while it gives me purpose, it is at its core just a desire. I’m not sure I would call myself a Buddhist just yet, but I believe strongly in one of the four noble truths: “Desire is the root of all suffering.” This isn’t to say determination and drive aren’t important, in fact I don’t think I could ever erase that part of my personality. I do, though, try to remind myself every day that I don’t have control of my future, and that life is going to delivery anything except what I expect. At a certain point, trying harder can be quite counterproductive. The best instrumentalists know this all too well – achieving a good sound isn’t about gripping tighter, but instead relaxing and allowing physics to do the work for you.

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.
My high school and college years were spent playing the saxophone, piano, and clarinet; I decided to pursue a degree in jazz performance at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Between my overwhelming stage anxiety, some incredibly informative arranging classes, and a perfectly timed first feature-film score gig, I decided to pivot into the world of composition, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. That being said, I feel incredibly lucky to have a background in jazz & blues music, as it regularly informs my work as a composer and orchestrator. Growing up around jazz and improvisation was quite terrifying and competitive, but it taught me to trust my ears and not to shy away from complex music. As a film composer I’m often asked to write authentically in genres that I’m not comfortable with, so the ability to critically listen and quickly learn new styles is absolutely vital. Nowadays, I get really excited at the opportunity to explore things I’ve never tried before!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To the friends and family who visit me here in LA, I always say the same thing: This city isn’t about the places, it’s about the people! If you try to see the whole city, you’ll just end up stuck in traffic on the 405, so I always find it’s better to explore the local area and hang out with friends. That being said, there are a few spots I find myself going frequently. Playa Del Rey is great – there are some nice coffeeshops, and the beach is often less crowded. We often watch the planes take off, look for dolphins, or ride our bikes along the path to Marina del Rey, where we watch the sea lions take their afternoon naps at Burton W. Chace park. Another favorite of mine is the Old World Village in Huntington Beach. It’s a quaint German-themed shopping center complete with an imported market, biergarten, strudel bakery, and some other cute little shops as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s difficult not to just say “everyone” as I know I wouldn’t have any success without the folks who inspired me, taught me, trusted me, and supported me. One person who doesn’t often get enough credit is my wife Elina, who has very patiently watched me struggle with the toxicity of Hollywood work culture. When I’m grumpy from lack of sleep, she understands, when I when I’m worried about making my rent payments, she offers help, and when I’m frustrated, she listens. Above all else, when I doubt myself, she reminds me that I have value beyond my work or productivity. Thank you Elina, I love you!

Website: https://www.sethcrail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sethcrail/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethcrail/

Image Credits
Alec Druth, Joy Music House, University of Miami Frost School of Music, Erin Mutchler

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