Conversations with Johan Macaraeg

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johan Macaraeg.

Hi Johan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Music has always been a massive part of my life. My parents love to tell me that I had an obsession with NSYNC and Spandau Ballet when I was little which is funny to look back on because my actual musical education started with classical piano. In my teenage years, I got heavily into bands like Fall Out Boy, and that rock punk sound pushed me to teach myself guitar and drums. It’s amazing to see what you can learn from Youtube and online resources.

Composing music, however came later. I didn’t have any formal music production training until college, but I was always curious. In high school, I started messing around in GarageBand just to see what I could make. Around that same time, I fell in love with films. My friends and I would shoot silly short films and stop motion videos on our phones, and I found myself obsessed with finding the right music to fit the films that we did. One thing led to another, and I started experimenting with writing my own original music. I was never really a songwriter so writing score type music was my interest.

Eventually I wanted to take things further, I began cold messaging filmmakers on Facebook to ask if they needed scores for their films. I cringe a bit when I listen back to those early tracks today, but taking that leap to put myself out there and collaborate was such a pivotal point in my music journey.

That initiative opened the door to scoring all kinds of short films throughout my undergrad years. Balancing those real world scoring projects alongside my music production degree taught me how to handle deadlines, communicate with directors, and manage my time effectively. Years later, I had the incredible opportunity to earn my Master’s in Film Scoring at USC and move to Los Angeles. The program was an intense crash course in how the industry operates, and collaborating with such talented film students was an unforgettable experience that truly shaped where I am today.

That leads me to today where I continue to write music for all sorts of visual media. Most of my work is in film but I do enjoy writing for advertisements and games as well. Orchestration is also a huge love of mine and have been fortunate to be able to help on projects shown in Netflix and Disney+ the past few years. Writing music is what I love doing most and I can’t wait to share what’s to come in the next few months to come.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Though I think any creative career comes with its fair share of hurdles. One of the biggest challenges in the film scoring industry is just how fast things move. Deadlines shift constantly. No matter how meticulously you plan or prepare, you inevitably find yourself juggling multiple moving things. The silver lining however, is learning how to adapt and turn that pressure into an advantage. Sometimes having less time forces you to rely on your gut, which can unlock a lot of creativity and push you to write things you wouldn’t normally try. I can’t count how many times just going full steam ahead under a tight deadline resulted in unexpected ideas that I never would have come up with otherwise.

Another struggle I frequently run into as a composer is creative mental block. It’s something every creative faces every now and then, and it can be really intimidating when you’re staring at a blank session and not knowing what to do next. Early on, I was hesitant to step away, but I’ve learned that simply taking a short break or just getting up for a quick walk can work wonders for solving a problem the moment you sit back down.

What I love about music is that it’s a constant evolving puzzle. The uncertainty and tight turnarounds can feel daunting at times, but pushing through those hurdles makes it all the more rewarding when you finally land on the musical idea that works.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My main line of work is writing music for visual media. While I primarily score films, I love stepping into the worlds of advertisements and video games whenever the opportunity arises. Film scoring is such a wonderful marriage of music and cinema. Two things I’ve been deeply passionate about for as long as I can remember. The process never gets old. Starting with tiny musical ideas, presenting them to filmmakers, and watching those grow into fully realized scores. Whether I’m brought on early on or during post production, it’s always a wonderful process.

What fascinates me most about this field is how constantly it pushes you outside your comfort zone. One week you might be crafting lighthearted sitcom cues and the next, you’re pulling out an electric guitar for a western style score. It keeps you on your toes and challenges you to write in genres you might never have explored otherwise.

At the end of the day, what I love most is the collaborative process that comes with it. Working alongside directors and storytellers to elevate their vision and bring their stories to life through music. And of course, the absolute cherry on top is capping off a project by recording with live musicians when given the chance. Nothing will ever beat the magic and emotion of real players bringing a score to life.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If I had to give one piece of advice to anyone just starting out, it would be to never stop learning. Especially when you start feeling comfortable. In music and visual media, there is an endless amount of things to discover, and so much of it can be self taught simply by staying curious and doing your own research. Recently for example, I’ve been diving into synthesis and learning how to design my own custom sound patches for upcoming projects. It can feel intimidating to learn something new, especially when you feel like you “should” already know it by now. But it’s true what they say, you rarely regret stepping outside your comfort zone and trying things that scare you. More often than not once you take that leap, you realize the only thing holding you back was yourself.

It’s also crucial to remember that you don’t have to go through this journey alone. Finding a supportive community makes all the difference. I used to be terrified of attending filmmaker mixers by myself, but taking that step connected me with incredible collaborators, mentors, and friends. There are so many vibrant communities out there eager to welcome newcomers and share their knowledge. Never be afraid to put yourself out there, introduce yourself, and constantly ask questions!

Try not to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to someone else’s journey. Building a career in film scoring indeed takes time so be patient, stay curious, and enjoy the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.johanmmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johanm.music/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johan.macaraeg
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4muA3gCTFkuF7puHIpTYhR