Meet Lucas Bakker | Film Composer, Songwriter, Music Producer & Teacher

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

Hi Lucas, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was raised all up and down the west coast of the United States, as well as five years in the state of Michoacán, MX. My parents were both hippies who separated when I was still a baby and I’d bounce back and forth between them. From naked swimming holes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California, to public schools in Michoacán with a distinctive military flavor. From being in High School theatre on Orcas Island, WA to being inside the blocked off streets during a running of the bulls in one of the few towns in MX where they do it (Xico, Jalapa). My childhood and adolescence were constantly evolving in a way that I later came to find out, where not average. I learned the art of being a chameleon, and to hit the road running. Exposure to different regional and cultural ways of life has influenced my various Artistic endeavors. Among these, my eclectic arsenal of musical abilities. From the synth-heavy, over-the-top soundtrack I did when I scored Millennium Films’ “Search and Destroy” (Hulu, Amazon Prime), to the Flamenco and Latin American flavored fusion of Guitar instrumental music, and solo Piano music I regularly release on Spotify. Also the various genres of Pop Music that I work in, both in Songwriting and Producing. I have been blessed to attract great people into my life. From working with Sublime with Rome, to the upcoming Amber Patińo, whose music we partner on and we’re launching starting in May and June of this year (2021). When not working I seek adventure in nature to escape from the city. Hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains, or through the desert to find hot springs. Bouldering in the amazing hidden gems around Southern California, or a good swim in any body of water I can find. A good work-to-adventure balance keeps me happy and charged.

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.
Getting in to any aspect of entertainment business is of course always challenging so I’m super appreciative of how far I’ve been able to come already, and even more excited about the opportunities coming my way now that I have been able to break through some barriers. I’ve learned to always be cool and genuine with everyone I meet. Even if there is no clear goal in sight for something, but I feel passionate about it, I’m gonna’ do it! I never expected that improv jamming in my friends living room would be such a great factor in my professional advancement. When working on a project, be it scoring a scene for film, or writing a pop song, I always start from an area of emotional truth. What’s the heart of what we’re creating? How can this be most effective and have the maximum emotional impact upon the consumer?
I’m super stoked and proud of my first feature film with a studio I’ve scored: Millennium Film’s “Search and Destroy” (Hulu, Amazon Prime). A hilarious and unique gem that is an homage to 80’s and 90’s action films, for which I also did voiceover work, including some distinctive Russian accents.
Also super excited to share the music I’ve been creating with the wonderful and crazy-talented Amber Patiño. We’ve been working together for several years and we’re finally unleashing upon the world some of our best work. The first release is set to coincide with her 18th birthday on May 30th, and you can find it on all major streaming platforms. I’m super proud of this work!
At this point I’m more ready than I’ve ever been to tackle bigger and bigger projects. Bring on your Action Films, your dystopian-future Sci Fi shows, your coming-of-age teen dramadies. I have got the tools to make them resonate.

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?
As the city reopens in our near post-pandemic, I’d take them on an epic quest to find the best food trucks in the valley. Or on a hop through K-Town for some amazing food and drinks. Out to Westward Beach in Malibu to hike around Point Dume and jump in the ocean. Bouldering at the historical Stoney Point, or in the canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains. Maybe even to the secret desert hot springs not too far from the city. Basically, haha, I would take them to do the things I love. But if they really wanted to, we could go to the Harry Potter world at Universal City, or even up to Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
B. Earl and The Jamnation. A great friend and creative colleague, Ben and I founded the all-improv musical family called The Jamnation in his living room in 2015. This musical family has helped my development as a musician and my career. It brought about the opportunity to score my first feature film with a studio, as well introduced me to Artists I now work with professionally. But on top of all of that, it has been a consistent source of great energy, beautiful people, and a supportive, creative outlet.

Website: www.lucasbakker.com

Instagram: @iamlucasbakker

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-a-bakker-9847a41b6/

Twitter: @iamlucasbakker

Other: TikTok: @thisislucasbakker

Image Credits
Jesse Dvorak