Artist Spotlight: Christy Carew

Chaotic Content proudly features accomplished and talented music composer Christy Carew in this issue’s Artist Spotlight. Christy received a Master of Arts in film scoring and composition from New York University and a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Loyola University New Orleans. Since then, she has scored or arranged music for countless feature films, shorts, documentaries and TV shows, including Sex in the City: The Movie. We were able to catch up with the busy composer and musician to chat about her childhood obsession with Star Wars music, her musical influences, and her upcoming projects.

Q: How did you get involved in music initially, and later as a career?

A: My Dad is a musician, so as I was growing up music was a big part of my life. I saw Star Wars when I was six, and immediately knew I wanted to make music like that someday. I started my training as a classical pianist at age 8, and I enjoyed it so much as the years went by that there was never any question that I would pursue a different career other than being a pianist, composer and musician. It wasn't until I was 17 or so and auditioning for colleges and conservatories in NYC that I was told my music sounded very filmic - I did get sidetracked a bit in college when I joined a band and had a blast touring and being a rock star! By the time I headed to NYU for my masters I was very focused on building a dual career in film and concert music.

 Q: Talk about your sound and how you arrived at it. Has your music evolved over the years?

A: My sound is still arriving! Finding a distinctive voice as a composer is huge. I feel like my music has evolved most from interacting with the musicians playing it. Living in so many different places, being exposed to so many different types of music, and having an unusual cultural background have helped my sound evolve too.

Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A: In the realm of film music, it's definitely Michael Nyman, Elliot Goldenthal, John Williams, Rachel Portman, Sharon Farber, Jerry Goldsmith, Shirley Walker and James Horner. Classically, I've always been obsessed with Brahms, Beethoven and Mahler - and my favorite new composers are Eric Whitacre and Jocelyn Hagen. Another huge musical influence of mine is Bjork. 

Q: What inspires you creatively and artistically? Describe your creative process.

A: My creative process is a daily ritual. It's not about sitting and waiting for inspiration to arrive - it's about working even when you DON'T necessarily feel inspired! It's about committing fully to whatever project I'm working on, and connecting authentically with what I want my music to express.

Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment as a musician?

A: I think it's not one single moment or accomplishment - it's the sum of many different awesome, inspiring moments that keep layering and building as you grow as a musician. Knowing that I am making connections with people through my music - knowing that I am touching people emotionally and inspiring them, making something that will last long after I'm gone. That's the coolest part.

Q: How do you prepare for your live performances? Do you have any rituals or techniques that help get you into that zone?

A: I perform often as a classical pianist. Often the pure pressure of the moments leading up to the performance, and the intensity of walking out on stage are enough to put me in the zone! I thrive off the energy of the people I'm performing with too. 

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I just finished scoring an independent feature and I'm gearing up for the next one to start. There's a lot of exciting library and commercial work coming up, and I'm also writing a piece of concert music for my hometown orchestra.

Check out Christy's website at http://www.christycarew.com.

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