Green composers advancing sustainability in music
Going Green in Music
In the dynamic world of music and media, sustainability plays a pivotal role in creating impactful narratives.
Universal Production Music introduces you to the pioneers who blend these elements into their artistry, advocating for sustainability in the music industry through innovative practices.
Meet Jesse Quin, Steve Everitt, Manu Brant, Karima Ramage, and Sylvia Navarro, who not only shape tomorrow's sounds but are also deeply committed to preserving the environment.
This article takes you into their studios, where solar panels meet synths and remote collaborations span continents with minimal carbon footprints.
Discover how these green composers tune their music production to the earth's rhythm, crafting soundscapes that resonate with audiences and our planet.
After you're finished diving into their stories, you can also listen to their incredible creations on our Green Production Music playlist and discover more about our groundbreaking Green Production Music Initiative.
Jesse Quin and Old Jet
Jesse Quin, a multi-talented musician known for his innovative approach to music, finds a unique muse in the environmentally-conscious Old Jet.
"There's such a strong community of people based at Old Jet that I feel like you get all of the benefits of being in the countryside without ever feeling like you're in any way isolated," Jesse explains.
Nestled among lush landscapes and powered by state-of-the-art anaerobic digesters, Old Jet supports sustainability and fosters a thriving community of creatives.
"Through the window of my studio there is an expanse of grass rolling up into a long, low hill and behind it you can see the white domes of the anaerobic digesters that create our electricity."
"It's an environment that feels very natural but also slightly otherworldly in some way. I'm sure it must creep into the music that's made here."
This setting profoundly influences the music that Jesse creates.
"When you're creating music, having that underlying feeling of being closer to nature and not damaging nature does probably have a positive impact you don't notice unless you're thinking about it."
Jesse Quin's musical philosophy embodies a balance between the polished (chrome) and the raw (rust); a duality that reflects his broader artistic values.
"A lot of the music I got into as a teenager, like Siamese Dream by Smashing Pumpkins or Dummy by Portishead, would have this balance of rough and smooth that was really appealing," he shares.
"It's certainly nothing new or anything I can take any credit for, it's just a personal preference."
Looking to the future, Jesse hopes to further enhance Old Jet's sustainability practices.
"I would love it if we could find the cash to help us improve Old Jet even further and truly make it somewhere that musicians can come and work and feel like they're creating in the most environmentally conscientious way possible.”
Steve Everitt and Hillside House
Steve Everitt is a seasoned composer celebrated for his unique, layered style. Beyond his musical talents, Everitt's deep commitment to environmental sustainability profoundly influences both his personal and professional life.
At Hillside House, his home and studio have been transformed into a private nature reserve. This transformation reflects the growing importance for sustainability in the music industry.
"Having an affinity with the environment has always been part of my nature," Steve explains. "So I perceive sustainable living as an integrated part of my creative process."
This deep connection with nature is reflected in his music, where the tranquillity and vitality of his surroundings inspire innovation and creativity. Steve's journey into rewilding Hillside House parallels his musical evolution and underscores his commitment to biodiversity conservation.
"There are now interesting creatures and natural environments which generate sounds that I try to use in my music. A bee hive in the dead of a winter's night certainly makes an interesting organic sampled drone!"
The upcoming solar power installation at Hillside House represents a significant step toward enhancing Everitt's green credentials.
"During a recent outage, we decided that a solar installation with batteries would hopefully provide a decent backup power supply - good for both me and for the environment," he explains. Steve's fascination with bats and their nocturnal nature has deeply influenced his music and sustainability practices. As a life member of the Somerset Bat Group, hosting bat walks at Hillside House has raised awareness about bat conservation and has, as he reveals, enriched his sound palette.
"Music-wise, bat detectors often have a few playback modes, some of which sound like weird synths, hence slowed-down bat ultrasonics have inevitably found their way into some of my less conventional compositions."
Manu Brant and Karima Ramage
Manu Brant and Karima Ramage are distinguished figures in the music production industry, known for their innovative and sustainable approaches to music creation. Despite their geographical distances, their collaboration thrives through remote collaboration tools with minimal impact on the environment.
"Karina and I have worked together for a number of years which began with us both being located in London," Manu explains. "In 2019 I moved to Berlin and wondered if and how it was possible to continue working in the same way remotely."
Their partnership continued seamlessly, thanks to digital tools like Zoom, Audio Movers, and Dropbox for efficient file sharing and communication.
"I think mostly the trust and understanding of the way each of us work has allowed us to continue to collaborate," Manu shares. "Seeing a friendly face on a computer screen instead of file names is always welcome!"
In Berlin, Manu has embraced various green practices in his studio operations, reflecting a broader focus on sustainability.
"I have tried to be more aware of leaving equipment and lights on in the studio whilst they're not needed or not in use, making sure everything is off whilst away or home," he explains. "Power conditioners and remote plugs are key here!"
Karima's approach to music production has been profoundly influenced by her remote working experience, especially during the pandemic.
"My travel to and from home and the studio either happens on public transport, push bike share scheme, or my new endeavour, an e-moped share scheme powered by Vattenfall's 100% green energy," she shares.
Both artists see technology as pivotal in advancing sustainable music production. They envision improvements in remote recording technologies, enhanced internet reliability, and the integration of DAW collaboration tools that mimic real-time, in-person interactions.
Sylvia Navarro
A forward-thinking composer, Sylvia Navarro has seamlessly integrated sustainability into her music production, demonstrating how individual composers can contribute to sustainability in the music industry through their studio practices.
Embracing solar energy and other renewable sources, Sylvia has reduced her studio's carbon footprint without reducing her creative output.
"Creatively, I've been inspired to experiment with new technologies and instruments powered by clean energy, such as a daxophone and solarsounder synthesisers," Sylvia shares.
"I record a lot of natural sounds outdoors and then implement them into my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) - this has enriched the process and allowed me to innovate and create unique sounds and textures."
The transition to using solar panels has impacted Sylvia's music production, both technically and creatively.
"Technically, it has provided a reliable, stable and consistent power source, which has led to smoother productivity, cost efficiency and less concerns about power outages or fluctuations!" she explains. "It is nice to see that it has also reduced my carbon footprint."
Sylvia advises composers to consider solar loans, leases, or power purchase agreements as viable financial options when investing in solar energy.
"While the decision to invest in solar energy for a studio setting requires careful consideration of various financial factors, the potential long-term savings, government incentives, and environmental benefits make it a worthwhile investment for composers committed to sustainability and cost-efficiency.”
Beyond solar panels, Sylvia advocates for several sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact.
"There are so many other ways that we can be more green conscious," she says. "Power management is a big one because it can minimise energy waste when equipment is not in use. We can also have a paperless workflow by digitising sheet music, notes, and other documents."
Your Next Production and the Universal Production Music Library
Are you ready to take a musical journey with Universal Production Music? Our extensive catalogue offers over 635,000 tracks, providing the perfect backdrop for any scene, emotion, or message.
As our featured artists have proven, music industry sustainability can be at the forefront of composer practices. By exploring our library, you can discover eco-friendly tracks that align with your project's environmental goals without compromising on quality or creativity.
Explore by genre, mood, or even sound effects to find your project's needs. Dive deeper into our curated playlists, or manipulate tracks to your taste with stems from our music.
Ready to start? Register now with Universal Production Music and discover the power of perfect sound.
