Meet Sean Walsh | Film Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sean Walsh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sean, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I suppose any independent contractor job carries its own set of risks. Some of the specific things I did in the early stages of my career were things like transitioning from a performing rock guitarist to a recording film composer. It was a gradual process at first that just snowballed as my love for writing to picture grew.
The shift required learning new techniques & adapting my style to accommodate visual narratives, I also knew I was entering a highly competitive field with so many extremely talented professionals.
The decision was daunting & the learning curves were tremendous. Going from trying to master a few instruments to understanding how an entire orchestra works was quite a challenge. Just learning the recording software itself felt like a huge mountain to climb in its own right. However, it’s been really rewarding. It allowed me to develop a unique voice & create music that resonates with a wider audience through the medium of film.

Some of the more fun risks include thinking outside of the box. In the world of film music, I’m always in the pursuit of creativity & innovation, both require a willingness to embrace uncertainty & venture into new sonic territory. This could mean incorporating atypical instruments, exploring non-traditional scales, or integrating electronic elements into orchestral scores. These types of risks can result in hopefully unique &/or memorable scores that stand out in a highly saturated industry.

Taking chances in my career has involved personal sacrifices as well, such as investing time & resources into projects with uncertain outcomes. There have been moments of doubt & projects that didn’t succeed as hoped, but each experience has been a learning opportunity. These risks have honed my skills, built my resilience, & deepened my understanding of the craft as a whole.

It’s not that I feel like “Wow, all of those risks are behind me & everything is smooth sailing now.” Staying in this industry will always have curveballs & pitfalls.
I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t nervous about how AI is going to impact my industry. There is no way to put the cat back into the bag. AI is here & it’s not going anywhere.
My hopes are that I will be able to continue on my path & keep on writing original pieces of music that are unique to my own voice & style.
Eventually the world might wake up one day, realize that all music has started to sound the same & there will be a renaissance where the appetite for real instruments being played by real people will become En Vogue again.

At the end of the day, taking risks has been indispensable in shaping my career as a musician & film composer. It has pushed me to explore new creative territories, develop a distinctive style, & continuously evolve as an artist.
Embracing risk is about daring to be different, learning from failures, & ultimately creating music that is authentic, impactful, & evocative.
It’s the willingness to take these leaps that transforms potential into reality & makes the artistic journey profoundly rewarding.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a film composer, my art revolves around creating music that will hopefully enhance & deepen the emotional impact of visual storytelling. I’d like to think what sets me apart is my ability to create distinctive & immersive sonic landscapes.
I’ve had a few Producers tell me they got the chills when they saw their projects combined with my music. I’ve also seen a Producer & Director laugh so hard they were in tears due to the narrative I wrote into their script with my sound design. It’s really an amazing feeling when you can alter the perspective of someone else’s art that they’ve been working on for months before I ever became involved with it. I’m particularly proud of my ability to evoke emotion & complement the narrative arcs of the films I work on, crafting scores & sound design that are memorable without taking away from the storyline.

My journey to becoming a professional film composer began as a hobby playing Punk Rock in garages with my friends when I was 14 yrs. old. I later expanded my musical vocabulary by exploring various genres & experimenting with really any style I could get my hands on. I guess you could say I caught the music bug early in my life.

Transitioning from an independent rock guitarist to film composition required me to learn new techniques & adapt my style to suit different types of visual media. This shift was not easy; it involved countless hours of study, practice, & perseverance. I faced numerous rejections & setbacks, but each challenge helped to strengthen my resolve & hone my skills.
Overcoming these obstacles involved a combination of resilience, continuous learning, & building a network of supportive mentors & collaborators.

One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned is the importance of staying true to my artistic vision while being open to feedback in collaborations. When working on a film it’s not all about me. I’m a part of a team & we all are working towards the same goal. I’ve also found that embracing failure can be a big part of the creative process. Rather than drawing the shades & curling up in a ball I could use it as a stepping stone for growth. That’s really been a huge lesson for me in my development.

I really want the world to know that my brand is built on authenticity, innovation, & the ability to resonate with audiences. My story is one of passion, dedication, & a relentless pursuit of excellence. I strive to create music that not only complements the films it accompanies but also stands on its own as a testament to the power of sound in storytelling. My work is a blend of tradition & innovation, aiming to push the boundaries of what film music can be & to touch the hearts of people everywhere.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow, that’s a tough one. San Diego is such a diverse & wonderful place. Trying to experience all it has to offer in just one week would be like trying to count all of the stars in the sky in just one night.
I grew up here in San Diego so we could seriously be here all day with places I absolutely love to go in my hometown.
I suppose if I had to narrow things down I’d maybe start with the Self Realization Fellowship gardens in Encinitas. It’s just such a serene & beautiful place to be alone with your thoughts.

I’m a huge fan of all of the hiking trails San Diego has to offer too. You really can’t go wrong with a trip to the top of any of the amazing viewpoints around here. They’re all just perfect for bird-watching, hiking, & enjoying a serene environment away from the city’s hustle & bustle.

No trip to Old town would be complete without a visit to The Whaley House. They say it’s haunted you know.

Balboa park with all of its museums & the Zoo could easily take up a few days. Alternatively, there’s The Wild Animal Park in Escondido. This climate seems to be perfect for hosting an unbelievable amount of wildlife from all over the world.

I wouldn’t be a good host if I didn’t bring my guest to one of my favorite music venues. Depending on the style of music I’d have to say that The Casbah & The Belly Up have been historically my favorite places to both perform & watch live music.

I’m pretty sure I’ll wake up tonight & think of a dozen more places I wish I’d mentioned.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people out there who’ve helped me to become the person I am today. Too many to mention by name actually, so I’ll just say this…

I’d like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me on my journey as a musician.
To my family & friends, thank you for your unwavering encouragement & belief in me, even during the challenging times. Your love & support have been my foundation.
Thank you to all of my students & anyone willing to take a chance with me. I’m so proud to be a part of your musical journeys.
To my mentors and teachers, thank you for your patience, sharing your wisdom, & guiding me with your invaluable insights. Your dedication and passion for music have inspired me to strive to become a better version of myself, & to continue learning every day.
To my fellow musicians & collaborators, thank you for your creativity, talent, & partnership. Together, we have created something truly special, and I am grateful for the opportunities to grow & innovate alongside you.
Lastly, to my fans & listeners, thank you for your continued support & for allowing my music to be a part of your lives. Your appreciation & enthusiasm fuel my passion & drive to create. This journey would not be possible without each & every one of you.
Thank you, & thank you S.D. Voyager for giving me the opportunity to put this into words for all of these kind folks to read.

Website: https://www.lonelyseaproductions.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lonely.sea.productions/

Twitter: https://x.com/LonelySeaAudio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lonelyseaproductions

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTUR8P2Mnf3P7WsyxmiI-dA

Other: https://play.reelcrafter.com/seanwalsh/africansafarireel