Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Sofo
Hi Matt, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Producer and Composer originally from Melbourne, Australia. I’ve spent the last 13 years working in music in all areas from Dance Music to Composing for Television.
After finishing high school, I didn’t undertake any musical studies but continue to perform in bands, orchestras and in a DJ capacity.
After successfully releasing a string of music and having success in the Aria club charts, my music was synched for ad’s with brands such as adidas, Google, Foxtel & licensed for TV shows on HBO & Stan.
Whilst working in this area of music, I always dreamt of becoming a screen composer and in 2021 began that journey.
Since then I’ve Composed for a bunch of shows and project including, 3 Documentaries for Channel 10, Cookings shows, A Docu/Drama for SBS and even the Titles for Paramount Plus Comedy show “Inspired Unemployed – Impractical Jokers”.. and more!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not smooth at all!
We get a large amount of set backs, failure and constant No’s in creative industries!
There have been so many times I’ve had no income, no prospects and no interest in what i was doing. But I persevered.
It required me to adapt and change strategy in approaching labels and composers.
In my young 20’s I had began working, it was a great job and i enjoyed it, there was a career path laid out for me and a future. But it wasn’t a future I was truly excited about.
I would spend all day dreaming about music, playing, writing, producing and day dreaming about what I could achieve.
So I QUIT!
And did it pay off? Yes.. I landed my first production job the same week working on the music for a car advertisement.
But guess what happened after? You guessed it.. didn’t get any work at all!
So with my tail between my legs, I got a part time retail job and put my head down and worked tirelessly on music.
It wasn’t until 2 years later that I had my first “break” I released 2 songs that ended up top 10 in the Aria Charts and being licensed for 2 adidas commercials, google commercial and used in a HBO show and 2 Australian Stan shows (Bump/Year of)
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a producer and a composer with a very unorthodox pathway into the industry.
I came up through orchestra’s and bands, then went into dance/electronic music and landed in composing and producing.
While I used to be quite insecure about my experience and education (and lack there of) I’ve learnt to use it to my advantage, my sound and production style is very different to more people I work with, giving me my own edge. Apart from having my own niche it also makes me quite adaptable to different projects.
So I feel that is what sets me apart!!
For me, I’m most proud of my work ethic and tenacity to keep going. Mostly you just need to be able to give yourself time in creative fields and KEEP GOING!
One day you wake up and realise, holy shit all those small steps have lead me to where I am today!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Well I’ve been living in Byron Bay, Australia since 2020… and it is my favourite place on earth! The Nature, the food, the feeling it gives you.. but the dislike is that its small and limiting. The energy can get small minded and stale if you don’t leave every now and again.
But.. as I’m answering this question I’m in California!
LA is a magical city full of possibility, so my only dislike is not having the beach at my local Byron beach at my doorstep!
But hey… I get to experience LA!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattsofo
Image Credits
Hugh Stewart
