The first featured Composer of the Month at See-a-dot, Jonathan Olmstead is responsible for the thrilling Bohemian Highway, a piece we are honored to have in our catalog. It’s always interesting to get to know the man behind the music, and how the artist is reflected in his work. So we brought some questions of our own and a question from our Facebook fans and had the following interview with Jon. Without further ado, Jonathan Olmstead!
What did you think being a composer would be like when you first began your career? How does reality compare?
Jon: When I was a little kid I thought being a composer would be like Fantasia brought life, conducting orchestras surrounded by big swaths of color, the music spontaneously being telegraphed through the baton. However, as I began my career I anticipated that it would be much more work, dedication, and fewer light shows, which has pretty much proven to be true. The only unexpected aspect is how reliant I am on the computer during the process, it’s always a welcome change to be able to use pen and paper.
What recent projects have you been working on?
Jon: I just finished up the score to a film, The Offshore Pirate, which will be premiering at the Hawaii film festival in October. Currently working on a project for the Acne Studios Paris fashion show.
What are you listening to right now?
Jon: Right now I am listening to a lot of Todd Rundgren.
Which of your pieces is most important to you and why?
Jon: Trying to decide on a favorite composition of mine is very difficult, as it tends to change constantly, but at the moment I would say that the favorite is Marshland Farms. It shows the most restraint of any piece of mine, which is something that I have a hard time with.
What inspires you to write music?
Jon: I find it very difficult to be musically inspired by outside sources. Really the compositional process starts with a musical idea in my head. That’s the best inspiration.
And that’s all for now! Go check out Bohemian Highway, one of the projects Jon mentioned, or even some Todd Rundgren, and get into the world of Jonathan Olmstead!
