Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobby Brader.
Bobby, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
A scheduling error in 8th grade placed me in Advanced Concert Band. I had never played an instrument before if you don’t count “Hot Crossed Buns” on the recorder in elementary school. As a frustrated last-chair trumpet player, I almost gave up, but I felt a great desire to continue trying. My grandparents bought my sister Jenna a piano for Christmas the next year. She quickly became bored, while I quickly became obsessed. The rest of my story and career has continued to be a succession of these “right place at the right time” occurrences.
I moved to LA in 2015 at just the right time and was hoping to work for prolific Orchestrator and Conductor Tim Davies. Tim had just become very busy composing the score for Guillermo del Toro’s “Tollhunters” on Netflix, so he and his orchestration team needed a little help with cleaning midi files and proofreading scores- this is where I got my start, and I continued to work with Tim and his team on films such as “Trolls” and “LEGO Ninjago Movie” and games like “Marvel’s Spider-Man” for PS4. Early on, I had also befriended Michael Orland, Associate Music Director of American Idol, who has given me countless opportunities in this town, beginning with some music preparation for American Idol. As a Composer, I am currently scoring my fourth Feature Film and my first Feature Documentary. Finally, as a Pianist, I just recently played the most exciting gig of my career to date, with one of my heroes, Broadway genius Andrew Lippa.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t know any artists who have had the pleasure of a smooth road. This is a challenging industry that will leave you in the dust if you are A. Not good, B. Not proactive. Like chess, one must constantly be thinking of the next move, the next gig, and what great tasks you see yourself mastering. While I have been very fortunate in LA so far, it has been a challenge to maintain a steady, even somewhat predictable income each month. It is also a challenge to obtain new gigs, while you are immersed in the current one(s).
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I wear many musical hats in the Greater Los Angeles Area in Film, TV and Theatre. Other than my position at AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in Hollywood, where I play piano for Ballet and Musical Theatre, and my private piano instruction at the Irvine School of Music, I am a 100% freelance artist. For Film & TV, I have held positions as Composer, Orchestrator, Conductor and Additional Music.
What has set me apart and perhaps given me an edge getting started have certainly been my social skills. I am around a lot of people all the time and I consider myself someone who does extremely well on the communication side of a professional relationship.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I am eager but perhaps a little nervous to see where we are in 5-10 years. Streaming services have changed everything! Regardless, I can’t deny that this is an incredibly exciting time to be alive and working on original music, with so many amazing mediums and opportunities all over the world!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bobbybrader.com
- Phone: 941-320-4973
- Email: bobbybrader@gmail.com
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