Meet Bill Hemstapat | Composer & Music Designer

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

Hi Bill, is there something you believe many others might not?
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”

This quote has never resonated with me in my adult life. I feel that there is a barrier that you have to cross in order to turn what you love from being a hobby into your job. In order to cross that barrier, you have to bring in elements of professionalism which could be simple mundane things like being on time, waking up early to reply to emails before you start writing a note of music, or even cleaning up your workspace before a client’s visit. It’s all these things that are, to me, still “work”. They are not fun by any means, but they are necessary when you’re trying to justify why people should pay for your service.

There are many hobbyists out there who can write incredible music in their own right, but how many of them will have the professionalism to “work” for their client and really deliver on what’s promised?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I just finished working on a Netflix limited series called Hurts Like Hell which explores the dark underworld behind Muay Thai. This 4 part series is a docu-drama inspired by true events which talks about other aspects that feed the sport like gambling to match fixing. I had great fun working on the music and representing a darker side of my country’s culture. Hurts Like Hell comes out on July 13th on Netflix.

I’ve always been fascinated by how music can transcend an audience to an emotional state that’s unable to be achieved by other art forms. How could something that’s invisible to the eye make us feel so much? And on top of it, marrying that to other forms of art to enhance its emotional impact further sparks my curiosity. In short, I make music for media. Film, Television, Games – I do them all.

I spent almost the last 5 years as a member of PlayStation’s music department (now known formally as PlayStation Studios Creative Arts – Music) working on projects like God of War: Ragnarök, Ghost of Tsushima, Demon’s Souls, Death Stranding, and Returnal just to name a few. So naturally, my focus has been tilted toward games for the last little while now. Video games feel like the “new kid on the block” among all the other art forms that is still in the thick of its growth. While there has been a lot of great things the industry has done musically, I feel like we’re still far from having it “figured out” if you know what I mean. Film and television however, seem to have reached a point where there is a certain formula of success. The video games industry has just been more open to new ideas and risk-taking, at least in my experience anyways, which has been very rewarding.

Getting to where I am now has definitely not been easy. I have been working non-stop for 12 years and I’m just now finally having a real “summer break” that lasts over 2 months. I moved to America 10 years ago and have been doing everything I can to break into the industry, partly so that I can earn a visa to be here. That was the ticking time bomb that really made me work my ass off and rack up much experience as possible. At this point, I must have sat in every chair within the music production pipeline; from being a composer, arranger, music editor, music implementor, all the way to being a supervisor or even a copyist – I have tried everything.

There was a lot of perseverance, patience, and most importantly curiosity that went into perfecting my craft over all these years. It not only taught me to be good at what I do, but it also taught me versatility with the ability to empathize with others when collaborating with them. And while I’m still far from perfect and am considered to be quite young in my field (everyone under 35 are still considered “young composers” haha), I do know that my flight hours are very high – so that has to count for something!

I’m in a unique position now where I have quite a good chunk of experience with a lot of high profile projects from films to television to games both on the freelance side of things as well as being a part of a larger team in a corporate environment. So at the moment, I’m in search of what’s next. While I’m quite open to all sorts of opportunities, I’m trying to be more focused on taking on projects that really inspire me; ones that let me take risks and potentially do something really exciting that could push the boundaries of what music can do for that art form.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow this is a tough one. If it’s a week long trip, it will probably be a mixture of really cool landmarks with all the great food and drinks LA has to offer isn’t it? As far as landmark goes, I love the nature LA has to offer so I’d probably take them to Playa Del Ray beach at least once or twice, maybe a hike in Malibu/Santa Monica Mountains, and a drive up the coast probably up to Santa Barbara perhaps? I love the Getty Museum personally as an artist, so that has to be right up there too.

As far as food goes, I love a place that feels a bit more home-y that’s a bit upscale (in ways that you know you can’t just make this at home) yet still affordable. So I would work in places like Luv2Eat (best Thai restaurant in town in my opinion), Zinc Cafe in Art District Downtown, Shikibu Sushi in Culver City, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Dang Sung Sa in K-Town, Mogumogu Mazemen, and maybe Arth Indian Restaurant in Culver City. There’s also a place called Millet Crepe on Sawtelle that I would argue is the best dessert in town!

Lastly, I’m a coffee snob, so throughout the day we would probably hit Go Get’em Tiger (whichever branch is near us), Highly Likely Cafe on Jefferson, Coffee Commissary in Palms, Balcony Coffee and of course Republic of Pie in North Hollywood.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to give a shoutout to my wife, Steph Kowal, for her endless support in this journey I’m taking. Not only does she encourage my curiosity to pursue all sorts of ambitions I have, she’s also been a great sounding board in all the tough decisions I have to make in my life. I feel that Steph and I are a team that will endlessly support each other no matter what life throws at us.

I’d also love to acknowledge a group of childhood friends in Bangkok, especially Satta “Ping” Rojanagatanyoo and Watcharawit “Koon” Ya-inta who have been nothing but a source of inspiration and support in the last 13 years we’ve known each other. I wouldn’t have a career, let alone a life, that I have today without their friendship. From the days we endlessly muse about our ambitions to the days we’re actually doing them whether independently or together, I’m grateful that I got to share all of it with them.

Lastly, I want to thank those who have taken a chance on me, namely: Peter Scaturro, Kevin Riepl, Brad Breeck, Jake Monaco, Bill Brown, and so many others. Without your belief in me – this kid from Thailand would never be where he is today.

Website: billhemstapat.com

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

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/billhemstapat

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BHemstapat

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/billhemstapat

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6882322/