Meet Jake Sanderson | Film Composer & Orchestrator

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

Hi Jake, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I believe there is nothing more powerful and nothing better to bring people together than art. Music, specifically, transcends this corporeal world into something else entirely. When I listen to different genres of music whether it be Gregorian, Spiritual, Classical, Film Music, Classic Rock, etc, I feel the emotion; the power the music provokes. When I see people listening together it is amazing to see the different perspectives people have on the same piece or song and how it brings that group together, and for a brief moment forget about the worst things happening in the world; the redundancy, the negative thoughts. All of it passes even if just for a moment.

I want to be able to bring others together through music like so many composers before me. I want to leave an impression on this world for years to come. Perhaps this is a bit idealistic, but music has helped get me through the hardest and darkest times of my life, and I want to help others do the same. Pursuing an artistic career has definitely not been easy but imagine if Mozart, John Williams, or Freddie Mercury gave up on their dreams. How empty would this world feel without their contributions?

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 started composing music when I was in Middle School; roughly age 11 or 12. At that time, I didn’t even think about film music specifically to compose. I was more interested in trying my hand at writing for small bands in school or marches. They were of course not great but hey, we have to start somewhere right?

It wasn’t until I was 14 years old, a Freshman in High School, where I heard the music scores to Titanic & Braveheart, both composed by the late James Horner, and I really got interested in how music and film have this kind of symbiotic relationship. I began listening to all kinds of film scores, reading books, and watching videos that dissect these scores and what made them unique and powerful.

From when I first started to where I am now, my work has gone through a metamorphosis. I began with a love of composing large orchestral pieces, to pieces with a more minimalistic approach and then into a more ambient and experimental leaning. I believe delving into all kinds of genres is healthy for a composer as I don’t think you should contain yourself to one or the other. Branch out and leave the comfort of what you think you are best at and train yourself to be best at other techniques.

Every piece I compose, I try to do something different with it. I have become a big fan of sampling and adding in Ethnic instruments into my music, such as the Shakuhachi, to add in color that you can’t really get with a Western instrument.

My journey in music is not over, and never will be. There have been challenges in the past and there will be in the future but if you truly have a passion for something, don’t ever give it up. Support from my family and my drive to achieve my goals helps keep me planted firmly and not give up or lose hope. That is the best advice I can give to anyone trying to do the same thing I and so many others are trying to do. Never lose your passion and do not quit, because the only way to lose is to quit.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Visiting Los Angeles, specifically Santa Monica Pier would be a good start. Los Angeles has so many things to offer and enjoy with there being something for everyone. I live about an hour or so away from it and I wish I could visit this great city more myself, as well as working in the film industry with some of the most talented and inspiring filmmakers. Visiting Muscle Beach would definitely be a good stop as well for anyone into fitness like I am.

A trip to the beach in general, such as Huntington, is always fun. Whether to enjoy the beautiful CA coast or take a walk through the Main Street shops, you will not be bored. Food, drinks, dancing, you have it all there.

The Irvine Spectrum would have to be another stop as well, especially with their beautiful and revamped theater. It almost seems like something you would see in a futuristic film the way it is now. The Spectrum has particular significance and importance to me as I have made treasured memories with old High School friends and my brother. How I wish I could go back to those days sometimes.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family is definitely my biggest support system. My parents who never talked me out of pursuing a music career and who always tell me to keep at it, my siblings, especially my younger brother who is my biggest fan, my grandfather and my uncle who basically introduced me to the world of music and really set me on the path to learn more and truly appreciate what music has to offer. Even during times when I feel like I should give up on this idea of a musical career, they all have said something that makes me think, “Wow, what was I thinking?” and it brings me back to why I decided to pursue this to begin with.

Outside of family, I have to give recognition to certain composers who have inspired my own work. Thomas Newman, Shirley Walker, Philip Glass, Bernard Herrmann, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, James Horner, and Joe Hisaishi. All these great composers I have listened to for years and their work showed me that when it comes to music, there are no rules or limitations.

Website: https://jakesandersonfilmcomposer.weebly.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-sanderson-51919412/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JakeRSanderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JakeRSandersonOfficial

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6bKCO8BfT1ASbas7HUsY-w

Other: Bandcamp: https://jakersanderson.bandcamp.com/