About.
An award-winning composer, Andy has immersed himself in film and television for over a decade. A Guildhall SOM graduate, he was spotted early on by the BBC and now works across the world’s leading broadcasters, including landmark series for CNN, BBC, ITV, Syfy, Nat Geo, Discovery and many others.
His in-depth understanding of the industry, combined with virtuosity and a unique creative voice, has help directors find new ways of bringing their story-telling to screen.
“The best TV tells great tales that engage people in a visceral way. Andy instinctively understands this as well as the nuances of story-telling. His music transforms films and lifts them to another emotional level.”
Andy’s Scores include the Emmy-nominated Einstein and Hawking: Unlocking the Universe, the BBC’s epic series “Celts: Blood Iron and Sacrifice”, “Stephen Fry’s Planet Word” (with co-composer Debbie Wiseman) “911: Escape from the Towers” (#1 on the itunes charts/nominated for a Realscreen award) and all three seasons of the CNN Originals landmark “Dynasties” series The Kennedys, (narrated by Martin Sheen) The Bushes, and The Windsors (with Rosamund Pike) - all of which rated #1 in their timeslots in the US.
His music for the Dan Clifton film of Willam Boyd’s “Patient 39” was nominated for best original score at the prestigious Fastnet Film Festival and won the Durham film festival’s main award.
“I love working with Andy. He’ll listen to the brief of course, but then offers wonderful compositions I don’t even know my films need until I hear them. His music is soulful, powerful, beautiful...original. And elevated by the talented team of mixers, arrangers and musicians he works with during the live records.”
Whether conducting a string section or working with cutting edge electronic production techniques, Andy puts storytelling and character development front and centre.
Painstakingly tailored to each project, no two scores use same palette. As likely to earmark Desplat, Mogwai, Miles Davis, Radiohead, Tallis, Mahler or Belle and Sebastian, his versatility and open-mindedness ensures the DNA of the project is authentic and honest.
“Andy is my secret weapon, I’m hesitant to recommend him as everyone else will be stealing my glory.”
Andy has worked live and in the studio with acts including Groove Armada, Nick Mccarthy, Crazy Girl, Dido, Oojami, Zero 7 and the Idjut Boys.
He embraces the eclectic. From playing guitar in the first UK performance of Duke Ellington's symphony, “Black Brown and Beige” at the Barbican, to creating an improvised zombie film score with Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand, he thrives on taking music to different places. His willingness to push the boundaries keeps him in demand as a composer and a musician.
“I have worked with Andy on seven films and every one has been improved by his music. They should just put a blue plaque on his house now.”