How I wish Roland Cloud had existed at the beginning of my career. Without a real source of information about career development, without community support, and even without a place to talk about flats and sharps, I was left to my own devices. A music career is hard, expensive, and at times absolutely isolating. And yet, I somehow managed. But, wow… Would you like to hear a little about the difficulties I faced?
Here is one: envy.
It may seem illogical, but as a person who has something to say in music, I fought a lot just to be heard as a composer. Envy is one of my oldest adversaries. And sometimes envy wears sheep’s clothing.
At times envy showed itself, loudly shaking the air about not following the rules, in “creative differences” with the people at the helm - or with those who tried to gain the authority to push me out of a project. I will never forget how I was once told that orchestral music would not be needed on their project because the Unreal game engine supports music only through a MIDI sound card… And, consequently, they would have no need for me as a symphonic composer. Of course, despite all the naivety of that statement, I had to turn to the CEO with the information that my help with a live orchestra could still be useful to them, since the Unreal engine, in fact, has supported streaming audio for many years.
Also, I will never forget how I began to receive “feedback” from people in Hollywood saying that “Jeremy Soule is, of course, talented, but he has no voice of his own”. It was like an echo chamber set up around Los Angeles. And, oddly enough, around the same time I saw an “assessment” of myself posted on a forum dedicated to film music. My technical team traced the IP of that “anonymous” user to the very top, which turned out to be one of the highest-grossing soundtrack production organizations. I was shocked. There was quite obviously someone posting from an IP that, as I learned, belonged to one of the most successful composers on Earth. And all of it was clearly started with the aim of slowing down or stopping my career. What was I to do about it?
But, even while all this was happening, I had something to say. My voice was my own, and I knew that there was life in what I was doing. The composition I posted here was as much about me as it was about Buckbeak. Everything inside was filled with that longing, that wistful hope. Oh, how I wanted to make something beautiful that would actually be achievable! And how many forces wanted to make me stop. To shut up.
Today I sympathize with young composers. The world can be very cruel - especially to those who have a gift. I kept count of my time, noting how much energy went to extraneous things rather than to my music, often simply out of the need to survive. And yet something as simple as the dynamics of competition, on the right forum, might well be received appropriately. Because, honestly, no young gifted composer should have to go through all this nonsense that I went through. I know that hard-won success is a worthy achievement, but seriously - enough!
I want to help change the system. The situation can, and will, be better if we work together. That is why all this time I have continued to work on Roland Cloud without letting up.
My conviction is that this world needs more beautiful music - and no less! And if future generations have a better situation, more resources, knowledge, and opportunities, I hope this will shift more attention to the music itself and leave less to politics, career pursuits, and other silly activities that interfere with the act of making music.
Surprisingly, it seems that I managed to devote only about ten percent of my life directly to creating music. The rest was just overhead that came down on me like an avalanche the moment I gave in to pessimism for a little while. If I had had mentors, it would have been easier for me to cope with my quest, but not one world-class composer recognized my talent or took a step forward to help.
The music BUSINESS should become a MUSICAL business, and no other way. On my journey I learned a lot, and all of it is taken into account both in creating community tools and, more generally, in the purpose of Roland Cloud.
In a nutshell, we are working on creating the shortest paths to success and enlightenment, in the context of real experience. I am a musician who has already worn your skin, and I have faced the very same trials.
Join me today and pre-register so that we can change the world with music. From one composer to another - I want you to succeed in every possible way.
Roland Cloud is a home and community for musicians.
02 - Buckbeak Night Flight - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The Video Game Soundtrack
02 - Buckbeak Night Flight - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The Video Game Soundtrack