Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Earnest.
Hi Jeremy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania with Indian immigrant parents who were both music enthusiasts. I started playing the piano at age five and soon got the music bug, picking up guitar, vocals, and violin, wanting to learn everything I could. My professional career started off as a performer, touring around the world with incredible Indian artists like Dr. L. Subramaniam, Dr. K. J. Yesudas, K.S. Chitra, Kavitha Krishnamoorthy, and many others.
Although I loved performing, I knew I wanted to write my own music. So, I attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music to study with Dr. Kevin Puts. It was there that I discovered a love for collaborating with talented artists and telling impactful stories through music. At Peabody, I also explored music outside of the Western classical genre. I formed an Indian jazz fusion band called Phantasia, served as music director for an award-winning vocal group called The Octopodes, and studied jazz piano and hip-hop.
In 2022, I moved to Los Angeles to study at the USC Screen Scoring program. Since then, I have had incredible opportunities to meet talented people and work on amazing projects. I have fallen deeper in love with the art of filmmaking and the entire scoring process, from spotting to recording. Being surrounded by so many talented friends and colleagues, I continue to learn every day and grow as a composer and an artist. Currently, I am working as an additional writer for Lorne Balfe and am involved in some very exciting upcoming projects!
I feel very fortunate to be living in LA and making a living doing what I love.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think everyone who goes through this industry has had their fair share of obstacles. My mother passed away a few years ago, which has left a big hole in my life emotionally. She was my number one cheerleader, and I know she’d be proud of me today. Moving across the country and leaving behind all of my friends and loved ones was difficult as well. There are a lot of sacrifices we make when going into this industry – I think our work by nature demands a lot of us emotionally and physically.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a composer for film, TV, and games, and have a love of writing music for narrative.
All throughout my upbringing I have been surrounded by a myriad of musical genres that continue to influence my voice and my style as a composer. My experience in Indian Classical music, mixed with my rigorous conservatory education, as well as my affinity for jazz, hip-hop, and electronics creates a blend of musical voices that I continue to develop with each project that I work on.
In my opinion, it is the subtle melding of cultures, perspectives, and languages that creates unique and innovative art. I believe I bring this sense of fusion to my work. Fortunately, as more voices of underrepresented backgrounds are being heard in the film industry today, more of these complex, dynamic, and culturally interwoven stories are being told. I am excited to be a part of the new generation of artists and storytellers; I particularly enjoy working on animation, sci-fi, drama, and action movies. These films tell stories that are larger than life and still often incorporate themes of universal connection, understanding, and love. They require music that is universal, emotionally moving and changing and blended between traditional and non-conventional. I hope that listeners will feel this fusion when they hear my music: a sense of innovation yet familiarity, novelty yet tradition, classic yet modern.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I’ve learned just how important connection is. It’s easy to get glued to our screens and live in our own bubble, but social interaction is fuel for a healthy mind, and finding ways to have fun with friends and family has now become a priority in my post-pandemic life!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jeremyearnest.com
Image Credits
Christian Amonson FlashBrush Production Lauren Kott
