Meet Evan Wright | Film/ TV Composer

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

Hi Evan, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is an interesting concept to me because it deals directly with what one is and isn’t comfortable with. Its very personal. There really isn’t a standard to the measure of risk in my field. For this reason, I interpret risk more closely with my own sense of fear. The illusion of danger. The thought that if I take a single step in this direction, the entire world will end. Its an illusion. I don’t believe in it anymore. I don’t believe that fear has a place in my creative life. Instead, I use this understanding to ask myself, “Am I willing to learn right now?” “Am I open to doing things differently than I have done them before?” This is what risk actually feels like to me. Its when the road splits and you are left with two options, the one where you can anticipate where it will lead and the one where you can’t. But if you really stop and think about, we can’t actually know anything that might happen. Anything CAN happen. So we are left creating this sense of security by telling ourselves that this situation is more risky, puts you in more danger of failing than another. I have found in my experience that no matter where I am or what I choose, my greatest fear has nothing to do with the outside world. I fear myself. I fear my brilliance, I fear my love and passion. I fear the possibility that I didn’t do my best. The greatest risk is taking none at all. That how I feel about risks.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a composer of film and vocalist, I really find my inspiration through telling stories with my music. Through words, thoughts, colors and feelings related to introspection and hope. I think in terms of story and character. As a vocalist, I have always been attuned to the story of the music singing the lyrics and putting myself in that character to communicate to the audience what I am feeling through the lens of that character/story. Growing up singing gospel hymns in church taught me that music is meant to be felt and shared. Its an incredible medium of art that can be as large and vast as the sea and also small and precious as a garden rose. I have always been fascinated with its ability to bring everyone center. Those who are apart together. Those without voices, heard. What makes my work different is embedded in the way I see myself in the world. I want my music to actually make the world a more peaceful place. I want my music to speak to the importance of love, perseverance and our own humanity. I want to create bridges where there are none, inclusion where there is omission, distinction where there is monotony, innovation where there is complacency and equity where there is imbalance. I believe music has power. And there is no question that my place here on this earth is to use creativity to make the world better and safer. Nothing has gotten me further in my professional life than two things: my ambition and my capacity to do difficult things. Early on, I wouldn’t have characterized myself as an overly confident person. I was just really curious. I asked “why not?” and continued my search of finding a trail of solutions to the many obstacles that I faced. I continue to prove to myself that I can succeed and I can grow. There is no success without failure. There is no growth without pressure. I seek out the hard. I don’t avoid it. I know that if my back is to the wall then I am in the right place. That is what has pushed me. That is what has been a guiding light for me. Those who have worked with me and have yet to work with me, is that I am someone that strives for excellence in everything that I do and that I take my work very seriously. I like to move with purpose and bring people along with our success.

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?
I have to shout out my home city, Pasadena. Probably one of the coolest places in the world. It has a rich history and is neighbor to the beautiful San Gabriel mountains where I love to go hiking and backpacking. I also love the outdoors in the LA area particularly Joshua Tree which is like an 2 hours east of LA. The desert is one of the most gorgeous places to spend time outdoors along with the views of the night sky and the cacti. Simply amazing! In the city I would recommend checking out Korea town, Echo Park, Los Feliz and Leimert Park. There are a lot of different communities of people in the LA area and going to their hubs and supporting their local businesses is the best way to explore the city. I also love checking out Manhattan Beach area where you can hang out by the ocean and watch the sunset. Beautiful view!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As I think about the people and experiences that have brought me to where I am today I can’t help but get emotional. I was brought up in a church community at Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles. My mother and father took me there almost every Sunday growing up along with my younger sister Alison. They took me there because they wanted me to feel like I belonged. That I had a place to go. That despite the difficulties of being a black boy growing up in this country, I could be seen and I could be heard. They put me on stage in front of the congregation and they let me sing. They listened to me and they have always encouraged me to use my gifts, to this day. I keep returning to this experience because the further I go the more I realize that there aren’t enough places like this in our communities. The love that was demonstrated to me growing up in that church with my family is one that transcends time and space. Its something I will never leave behind. I also can’t emphasize the influence my mother, father and younger sister have had on my life. Through it all, they have been present, supportive and most of all, role models. They shown me how to love God, how to work hard and how to help others without expecting something in return. They have taught me humility and leadership. They have demonstrated discipline and flexibility. They have taught me the importance of family whether they share your last name or not. They are my whole heart. I would also like to shout out my community of friends and mentors who have been major supporters of my professional and personal development: Adam Berry, Lecolion Washington, Nedelka Prescod, Dominique Eade, Davide Ianni, Jason Moran, Emiliano Tellez, Textli Gallegos, Erez Dessel, Tyler Bonilla, Darynn Dean & Family, Kevin & Phyllis Toney, Sylvester Rivers, Micah Nerone, Dicey Media, The New England Conservatory, Braden and Ellis, Pat Bass. There have been so many impactful individuals throughout my life I know they aren’t all listed.

Website: https://linktr.ee/evanwright

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evan.wright.16718/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUldaIGWJw0B3AynNkZ68Q

Image Credits
Textli Gallegos, Paul Mardy