DANIEL SOLEY
Meet Daniel, a composer, sound-artist and performer whose music is influenced by improvisation, technology and eclecticism. He's one of our three Magnum Opus composers for 2023
WHAT EXCITED YOU MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF MAGNUM OPUS?
Comprehensive industry insight, a multi-composition process and a customisable aspect to what’s on offer creatively all made Magnum Opus stand out.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INFLUENCE SO FAR?
I’d say I identify most with being an amalgamation of experiences, but I’d give a nod to the facilitators who enabled me to connect with the music I was playing whilst growing up.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO COMPOSE?
Composing to me is a renewing opportunity to be creative with new people, in new formats and for new causes. So many different aspects of the human experience are enhanced by music and sound.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE TO WRITE?
The kind that I didn’t write last. Admittedly, not a great publishing strategy, but at the moment it makes the whole thing more of an adventure.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO COMPOSITION?
I found acoustic pianos pretty special growing up, primarily because we never had one at home. I had no keyboard instrument training either, so when I got the chance to mess with them in schools, I decided to make up my own music most of the time.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A COMPOSER?
Perhaps finding confidence, maintaining resilience… and writing about yourself.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST COMPOSITIONAL AMBITION?
Since having the opportunity to create music and sound for the themed attraction industry, I quite fancy making a synchronised and interactive soundtrack for a rollercoaster.
WHAT 3 PIECES OF MUSIC WOULD YOU HAVE TO HAVE ON YOUR DESERT ISLAND?
I’d love to do Desert Island Discs, but I recently tried to make a playlist of my favourite finds from the past ten years, and I think I was able to boil it down to about 200 tracks.
WHAT IS THE BEST SNACK?
Jaffa Cakes
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DANIEL ON HIS WEBSITE
