Meet Erin Liu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Liu.

Hi Erin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
To be honest, pursuing the career as a film and media composer is an unexpected twist in my life. My musical journey began at the age of six when I started learning the piano. Although I had an enthusiasm for music, unfortunately, I was never a diligent, practice-loving child. The mechanical repetition of finger exercises usually frustrated me, and I struggled to find joy in playing the same pieces over and over. However, I discovered an ability to draw inspiration from the melodies that flowed through my mind during practice, transforming them into various variations. I was surprised that this playful and unconscious impromptu on the piano, which began in my childhood, would sow the seeds of my potential and interest in music composition in the future.

In addition to my passion for music, my heart has always been deeply drawn to various art-related fields. I love literature, painting, film, history, and anything that delves into the intricacies of storytelling and humanity. During my undergraduate studies, I majored in English Language and Literature, immersing myself in European and American literary traditions and dramatic works. From the timeless sonnets of Shakespeare to the contemporary poetry of renowned female poets such as Adrienne Rich and Anne Sexton, and from the enchanting world of Greek mythology to Broadway scripts, all these diverse influences steadily nurtured my artistic sensibilities.

Upon graduating, I found myself standing at a crossroads with an uncertain future path ahead. The desire to become a storyteller ignited within me, yet the vast array of possibilities in this creative realm left me feeling somewhat lost. I have considered being a screenwriter, an animator, a film critic, or even a museum curator. However, every time when I paused to listen to my inner thoughts, a subtle yet undeniable yearning for music continued to resonate as an unwavering call within me. Gradually, it became clear that embarking on the career as a media composer, where I could intertwine visual narratives with musical storytelling, would be a courageous and fulfilling exploration.

With curiosity and determination, in 2021, I made a significant move, traveling from Taiwan to the US to attend the MFA Music Composition for the Screen program at Columbia College Chicago. During my graduate studies, I delved into the aesthetics of film scoring, orchestration, and software technology with professors Kubilay Uner, Kazimir Boyle, and Daniel Dehaan. I also had the opportunity to work with Composers-in-Residence Miriam Cutler, Vivek Maddala, and Brandon Campbell, which allowed me to further refine my skills in screen scoring. Following my graduation, I had the privilege of interning with an award-winning composer for film and television, Mac Quayle, right in the heart of Hollywood. It was a surreal experience to witness the inner workings of the music production for “American Horror Story 12.” The industry’s culture, professional workflows, and artistic originality, which I encountered during this internship, greatly expanded my horizons.

Now, as I step into the vibrant yet unfamiliar landscape of Hollywood Los Angeles, I’m excited about how these experiences will shape my life’s trajectory. While media scoring may not be the only pursuit of my life, I’m certain it will be a significant influence on my ongoing journey, providing essential nourishment for my development as an intriguing and multi-dimensional artist.

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?
I believe there isn’t a single industry that comes without its own set of challenges; my journey to become a film composer hasn’t been a smooth road either. The growth of an artist isn’t solely driven by the desire for ambition fulfillment, it’s about conquering fears and uncertainties. Personally, my transition from Taiwan to the US for career presented considerable challenges due to language barriers and cultural differences. Finding one’s unique value and a sense of belonging in a foreign country filled with talent has been an ongoing struggle for me. Furthermore, before studying film scoring in the US, I hadn’t received formal training in music composition, and my proficiency with computer software had always been a weakness. The pressure of navigating a new field, the necessity to rapidly enhance composition speed, and the unfamiliarity with the environment weighed heavily on me during my first year of studies.

Being a freelance film composer is, to some extent, a solitary profession. Unlike other careers with fixed working hours and colleagues, for most of the time we find ourselves working alone in our studios, striving for the perfection of our creations. The occasional occurrence of writer’s block often leads to anxiety and self-doubt. My perfectionist tendencies sometimes trap me in an unhealthy cycle of self-comparison, resulting in a lack of confidence. The fear of failure and financial worries appear to be universal obstacles for artists. However, it’s through these psychological challenges that I found a turning point for self-discovery, which has further strengthened my resilience.

Ultimately, I’ve come to appreciate these moments of solitude and introspection, which have contributed to enriching the depth of my music to some degree. In the summer of 2022, I wrote a piece titled “All in the Timing” for clarinet, harp, and synths which reflects the realization I had after a year of studying in the US: Life has its own timing, and everyone shines in their unique time zone. There’s no need for anxiety or worry as the universe provides everything you need at the right moment. Just allow life itself to unfold as it should.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As film and media composers, our task is to translate complex human emotions into the language of music, seamlessly integrating melodies into visual narratives. Instead of merely crafting beautiful music lines or showcasing our compositional skills, we immerse ourselves into the emotional requirements of each project, meticulously capturing the nuances of those unspoken feelings. Sometimes, music takes the lead, while at other times, music subtly underscores the scenes. It’s essential for composers to collaborate closely with directors, filmmakers, and creatives, co-creating artworks that effectively convey meaningful stories.

Every artist has their distinctive traits and style. I believe my Taiwanese background along with my literary knowledge, set me apart from others. My music style is often described as an interesting blend of Harry Potter-like fantasy with an oriental elegance. I specialize in writing small ensemble acoustic pieces and hybrid scores that weave the richness of an orchestra with electronic texture. I’ve had the opportunities to work with student directors/animators from the University of Brighton and Taipei National University of the Arts on various animated projects, including “Never Never Land (2023)”, “Wasted Dreams (2021)”, and “Whack-a-Mole (2021)”.

During my undergraduate years, I participated in two theatrical productions in the Fu Jen Catholic University English department. One particular experience that greatly encouraged me was my role in doing the music and sound design for the senior play “Golden Child.” The play revolves around the challenges faced by a Chinese family in the context of Westernization. The director set me a special challenge: to create a soundscape that authentically represented the evolving perspectives of the characters, from initial conflict and ambivalence to a final reconciliation between Eastern and Western values. This was my first attempt at combining these two distinct ideas into one composition. I’m proud that my design, featuring conversations between erhu, solo strings, and piano, successfully created the atmosphere the director envisioned. Moreover, this theater project was my first shot at scoring a two-hour-long production, providing me with a huge sense of achievement in my artistic journey. Besides, working closely not only with the director but also the stage managers, actors, lighting, and set design crews was incredibly refreshing and insightful. It was during this project that I experienced immense satisfaction in contributing to a creative endeavor and recognized the importance of being part of a supportive and collaborative team.

As a composer who primarily utilizes MIDI mockups to generate melodies, collaborating with live musicians is always a rewarding experience. This past June, I was exceptionally fortunate to work with Hollywood musicians to record my graduate thesis, “Pegasus: The Heavenward Soaring,” at the Fox Newman Scoring Stage. I enjoy writing music that vividly portrays the imagery found in literary works and extending it to build a world that is uniquely my own. Thus, being able to bring one of my favorite mythical creatures, Pegasus, to life with a 70-piece orchestra was definitely a dream come true. During the composition process, I had this vivid image in mind of Pegasus galloping through an enchanting forest at night with nymphs by his side. Upon reaching a cliff’s edge, he leaped into the starry sky, soaring amidst winds and foreboding clouds. Finally, he ascended to the top of the world, entering a luminous paradise. While sitting in the control booth during the recording session, I was very impressed by the conducting skills exhibited by Anthony Parnther, who masterfully infused my music with rich, emotive nuances. My deep gratitude also goes to Dennis Sands, whose impeccable mixing techniques added an extra layer of sophistication to my piece. The experience of witnessing these industry professionals breathe life into my musical creation was truly remarkable and unforgettable.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Perhaps only a handful of my close friends are aware that, beyond storytelling and music composition, I have a great fascination for profound topics like philosophy and quantum mechanics. While these areas may seem unrelated at first glance to my work as a film composer, they actually play significant roles in shaping my creative perspective. Both Eastern and Western philosophy explore the fundamental questions about human existence and ethics, which provide me with a rich source of inspiration for creating contemplative and thought-provoking music. On the other hand, the realm of quantum mechanics, with its insights into the very nature of reality, has a way of expanding my imagination beyond conventional boundaries. These interests not only keep me intellectually engaged but also infuse my music with a sense of wonder.

Additionally, music itself is a frequency that vibrates through the air. Even though we can’t see or touch music, this invisible energy has a huge impact on human emotions and sensibilities. It might sound whimsical, but I often feel the mystery of the world might be concealed within the music we hear. Besides, in film scoring, the same visual images can evoke entirely different cinematic experiences for the audience when accompanied by different melodies. It’s as if we, as composers, possess the extraordinary gift to craft parallel universes. In many ways, this also mirrors life experiences, where identical circumstances can lead to various outcomes based on our responses to the situations at hand.

To me, being a composer is like being a magician as we manipulate the flow of emotion in the subconscious. It’s this mesmerizing aspect of my career that deeply captivates me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://erinliumusic.wixsite.com/erin
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin_meow_meow
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@erinliumusic
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinliumusic