What is on your bucket list/what do you hope to achieve in the future?
[2019] In the future, I’d love to be music supervisor for a big film release and bring notoriety to a relatively unknown track through that.
[2020] The above is still true but definitely more of a years-in-the-future thing to aim and work towards. I’ve just had my first film credit on One Man And His Shoes as score supervisor and would like to keep building my skills project by project.
Away from work, I’m keen to improve my physical health and get into weightlifting when I feel comfortable to go back to a gym.
And also get a kitten.
What sync sticks out most in your memory and which track was used?
[2019] There are a few adverts that I remember so clearly, like the Skoda one where a team of bakers build the car out of cake and the track they used was My Favourite Things by Julie Andrews from The Sound of Music.
[2020] I love when a song vividly reminds you of what it was used in and a really prominent example for me is Natalie Cole’s ‘This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)’ which makes me want to watch Parent Trap every time I hear it.
Have you ever discovered any new artists or tracks through sync?
[2019] I discovered Paolo Nutini from an episode of CSI: Miami. I remember really liking the ending song so I searched online and it was his song Rewind… but I’m so sure it was a piano cover and I’ve never found the version they used. But it got me listening to Paolo so can’t complain.
[2020] One very weird example is C2C’s song ‘Down The Road’ which I randomly heard in someone’s showreel and I just really liked the groove of it.
Eugene Lee Yang’s music video to announce his coming out featured ODESZA’s track ‘A Moment Apart’ and I listened to that on repeat for weeks after. The video itself was stunning and intricate and powerful and so emotional and the track was a brilliant accompaniment to the choreography and themes explored in the different scenes represented by the rainbow colours. I hadn’t heard the track before seeing the video and I love that I now associate it with the video everytime I hear it.
What are you most excited about within your role at Chromium?
[2019] Getting to be involved in some really cool projects has been exciting so I’m looking forward to doing more and seeing what comes through next. I love that although we have a dedicated area there’s still so much variety in what the music can be used for and my role is really varied as well so I’m enjoying it a lot. I’m really looking forward to experiencing studio days in the future and seeing more of the process to bring projects together.
[2020] When lockdown was announced, a few of our projects had to be put on pause so it will be great when these can recommence and with a fresh mindset. ‘Distance makes the heart grow fonder’ and all that, so I’m even more excited to get going with the releases and sessions again. Going to studio sessions in a post-covid world was an interesting experience. Masked all day, of course, and with restrictions on the number of people and maintaining distance and all these extra rules you think would give a weird atmosphere, but it felt like everyone was just relieved and excited to be able to record again. It has been interesting to see the work-arounds for recording and even remote recording which Chromium did with an orchestra last month which we wrote a blog post about.
Do you have any special skills or secret talents?
[2019] I have double-jointed thumbs if that counts? I can also recite the Geological Time Scale to the Eastenders theme tune thanks to Geography GCSE revision.
[2020] The above hasn’t changed and would still be my go-to party trick if parties were still a thing. Other than that, I’m pretty good at assembling IKEA furniture and I’ve been attempting to learn how to sew in lockdown. Note: ‘attempting’. I can just about juggle as well.
I also used to have piano lessons and taught myself Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C Major which is the only piece I can play from memory.
What inspired you to start a career in sync?
[2019] Honestly, I didn't really know about sync to an extent until a few years ago but visual audio media has always interested me. While I was at Uni, the more I learned about music business and the industry, the more interested I became in it - it also helped that the lecturers were so passionate and open and that definitely led me to pursue this path.
[2020] Since answering this question a year ago and now working in sync for a bit longer, I can’t help but subconsciously analyse the use of music in everything I watch, whether it’s an advert, a tv show, a film, a radio play, online brand content - I’m now so much more aware of how prevalent sync is in all types of media. Podcasts! It’s so interesting seeing how sync is evolving and being utilised in newer formats like TikTok.
What was your favourite live experience and why was it so special?
[2019] I saw Tears For Fears with my parents at the O2 Arena earlier this year. ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ is one of my favourite songs of all time and getting to see it live was absolutely spectacular, especially as they walked on stage to Lorde’s cover version and then went into playing the original - just amazing!
[2020] One of the last gigs I went to, back when corona was just a beer, was Your Smith in a pub basement in East London. Although she’s been releasing music under a few alias’ for years, it was her first ever gig in London and the friend I went with has been a fan of her music for years so it was very special to get to experience that with her. She put on an incredible performance for 200 people crammed underground and she remixed other songs into her songs to transition between tracks - so cool!
What is your go-to box-set binge?
[2019] I’m awful, I have so many on the go at one time! I’ve just finished Workin' Moms and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. How To Get Away With Murder and Queer Eye are my current binges but I’m aware I’m behind. Also a big fan of Taskmaster on Dave and can't wait to binge new Big Mouth when season 3 drops.
[2020] I watched many things during lockdown and I can’t remember them all but I know New Girl was definitely in there. Little Fires Everywhere on prime video was fantastic and a definite must-watch. I was constantly looking up the songs used in it - always a good sign.
I also watched The Stranger and predicted the big twist at the end but still enjoyed it. I’ve recently started rewatching Community when I remembered that Donald Glover’s character Troy and I have the same birthday and the new season of Taskmaster has just started up again.
What is your favourite song in the Chromium catalogue?
[2019] Currently ‘Impromptu No.1’ is my favourite for focus and relaxing - one of our recent releases. There’s so many great cinematic ones but ‘Those With Someone’ and ‘Sleep My Pretty One, Sleep’ have something special that I just love.
[2020] This is a tough question, and will only get tricker whenever we have new music in the catalogue. There were some amazing tracks in the sessions from last month that really stick out which I’m excited for the release of. Our latest release of the soundtrack for One Man And His Shoes has some great tracks! Starting Out has a really good groove that from a sync perspective is quite versatile. Flashpoint, the last track in the soundtrack is really emotive and has a sort of push-pull part in the middle with the piano and cello which I love. Lots to look forward to!
When you’re not working in the world of sync, what do you do in your spare time? Any guilty pleasures?
[2019] I like having things to look forward to in my calendar and gigs and musicals are great for that. Away from music I like an adventure day - going somewhere new like a theme park or an exhibition or trying an activity. 80s power pop is a big guilty pleasure - saxophone solos galore!
[2020] I can’t comfortably do any of the things in my answer from last year apart from the 80s power pop. I got myself a Nintendo Switch at the beginning of lockdown when the new Animal Crossing game came out and that became a huge part of lockdown for me at its height. I also enjoyed using my bike a lot more.
I’m about to move into a new flat so I’m looking forward to making that comfortable and homey. And sprucing up the home office space of course. I’m a big fan of TikTok and follow lots of interior design/home renovation and decorating accounts so I might try out a few things I’ve seen on there that I like. I have managed to do a couple of trips, mainly just for the day, since lockdown just to drive and get out of the city for a bit. A peaceful change of scenery is always a good thing.
