Meet Logyn Okuda | Composer & Percussionist

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

Hi Logyn, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I truly feel success is arbitrary and a constant. Whenever there is a longterm goal at hand, it’s about the little victories along the way that you use as benchmarks for said ‘success’. This can come in the form of wrapping up a big recording session, landing a life-changing gig, or even discovering an interesting voicing in a score you’re studying. I am in the very much budding steps of my career at the moment, but when I look at those little victories, it adds up to see how far I’ve come. My ‘success’ could also come from the relentless pursuit for knowledge as well. A former jazz instructor of mine, Noel Okimoto, represented that perfectly for me. Though a world-class drummer and vibraphonist, he constantly strives to learn more about the instrument everyday. That is the approach I’ve tried to adopt in my own endeavors towards this form of art. I’ve always been told that you hit a ceiling when you feel there is nothing else to learn, and thankfully, I don’t believe I will ever reach the bottom of the musical rabbit hole.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I recently finished a recording with Budapest Scoring for a personal film I’m creating. Also, I have the fortune to write music for the 2024 Hawaii International Film Festival trailer, involving some laborious hikes to capture powerful ambiance of nature, and a lot of recording with Ancient Hawaiian instruments. There are a couple, more bigger projects on the rise, but I’m not allowed to speak on them yet! I truly wish that this interview had been a few months later, as I’d be able to talk more on these, in which I’m extremely passionate about. I’m additionally interning at WaterTower Music at Warner Bros., an opportunity that is really opening my eyes to the mechanics behind soundtrack production. Being completely transparent, I’m passionate to share my work, but hate the idea of bragging about it. I believe that creation of art is almost, as silly as it is, synonymous with cooking meals for yourself. You’ll never get the dish quite perfect, and it might not even be the best thing ever, but you’re proud of your accomplishment and can share that victory with yourself. In the end, no one can take that away from you, which is the reason one’s personal voice makes them so special. I’d much rather brag about the score studying I do, ranging from Copland to Ravel, to Messiaen, to film composers such as Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner, and Benjamin Wallfisch! I feel that keeps me excited and giddy to learn more, something I try to embrace at all times. I still have so much to learn, but I feel I’m onto something for now.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Though I spend most of my life in SoCal, my home resides with the island and people of Oahu, Hawaii. In fact, I just did this with a friend! I would take them first on a nice sunrise hike, the Koko Head stairs, on the eastern side of the island, then grab breakfast at any of the local cafes. I’d next take them to Ala Moana Shopping Center, where they could spend hours browsing the various Hawaiian-themed stores, and of course, eat some more food. After that, it’s only fair that we go to the beach and take a crack at longboard surfing, probably in Waikiki (though the traffic is horrendous), with a nice treat of Waiola Shaved Ice (snow-cone texture with syrup). Since we’re already here, we might as well stay until sunset, catching the nightlife and various tourist shopping centers, maybe even a jazz gig at the Blue Note? Of course the night would end with me showing them my vinyl collection and raving about some niche recording like Georg Solti and the CSO performing Mussorgsky (I’m such a nerd, what’s wrong with me!).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Throughout my journey, my parents and sister have always been my greatest mentors, supporters, and friends. Whether it be enrolling me in drum lessons at age 3, attending all of my concerts and games, or having heart-to-heart conversations about career, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. They weren’t trained in the way I was through music, yet they’re willing to sit through my long monologues on why Maurice Ravel’s harmonic language is unmatched, or why there is something powerful of having both the contrabassoon and bass clarinet play a line in unison. That’s gotta be love right there! They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders in times of success, and my guide of wisdom in times of difficulty. When I first decided that I wanted to pursue the art of composing music, never once did they question my decision where others did. No matter how impossible the dream seemed, they believed in me through this whole journey. I truly feel that any endeavor of mine is far from a one-person effort, and thus, to have people that love you unconditionally behind you, is the best gift anyone could ask for.

Website: https://www.logynokuda.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_logokuda/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logyn-okuda-ab9322243/

Image Credits
Tracy Wright Corvo, Graham Ros