BY JESSIE WANG, LEAD WRITER (COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL AWARENESS)
Many things happened in 2020: an unexpected virus that affected every corner of the world, an increasing gap in inequality, major bushfires across much of Australia, and the list goes on.
One of the key events of 2020 was the expansion of the Black Lives Matter movement – a movement that, while started in the United States, continues to affect all corners of the world. Here on Australian soil, the BLM movement pushed for better treatment and recognition of minority groups, including Indigenous Australians, African Australians, Asian Australians, and other minorities.
So what does that mean for the arts sector?
Well, considering Diversity Arts Australia published a report in 2019 about how “shockingly white” the creative industry is in our country, Anisha Thomas started Sound-how – a music and sound production service that celebrates diversity while also supporting other diversity-focused organisations and causes.
After years of composing for many Australian and international productions, such as award-willing film Curated Illusions, three documentaries, a TV series, a web series, and a feature film, Anisha started Sound-how to further her desire to be a diversity activist in the creative industry.
We chat with Anisha Thomas about her work and Sound-how.
Hey Anisha! You’ve composed for multiple films before, as well as many selected projects like Vivid Festival and the Australian Art Orchestra Residency. Do you have a favourite project and why?
I don’t think I could pick a favourite! Every project has been uniquely instrumental in building my craft as a composer. Having had the opportunity to work with a variety of different acoustic and electronic sounds and styles has given me the confidence to continually keep pushing boundaries, regardless of whether it is for a screen or an off-screen project.
What has been the proudest moment in your career?
I would have to narrow down to two moments that happen to be of the same kind – the two awards I received for my work in screen music.
In 2018, I won an award for the score I composed for the Academy Award-qualifying short film Three Feet Deep, written and directed by my dear friend and long-time collaborator Rachael Belle Myers. In 2020, I was also the lucky recipient of the WIFT Australia Award for Best Australian Female Creative given at the SF3 Film Festival.
These recognitions have given me the platform to advocate for diversity and inclusion through Sound-how, which is always at the forefront of my mission working in the arts industry.
Let’s talk creative practice. What is your compositional process like?
This can often vary depending on the project, but my general process involves choosing one or more particular musical features and exploring those. I like working a lot with colour, whether that is a particular focus on pitch or timbre. Over the years, composing has become a consciously spiritual experience – my process now often involves meditating beforehand. There is incredible untapped creativity found within the stillness of our minds and connecting with one’s self.
For any film or screen project, it usually involves composing to a ‘locked edit’. By watching the film multiple times, I am able to study it carefully to further unpack the key filmic elements that are crucial to influencing the musical decisions of the score, such as instrumentation/sounds, themes and thematic development. These key filmic elements often include the plot itself alongside mood/emotions, tone, pace, any changes in these elements, plus the characters and their development.
The score often has the role of enhancing and heightening these elements to different degrees, which will often depend on the film and the director’s vision.
Taking us back, how has your upbringing affected the music you play and compose?
I first started playing piano when I was six years old, and having had that initial exposure to music definitely played an important part in laying the initial foundations to my composing career.
I often found myself improvising at a young age, instead of actually practising my assigned pieces, and would often get in trouble with my piano teacher! I’d have to say my rebellious spirit has impacted the way I initially began my journey as a composer, and still does even today!
How has your work been affected by the fact that you are a woman of colour?
Being a woman in this industry has its challenges, and also as a woman of colour comes with an additional set of challenges. These challenges have been the fuel to all the work I do! It was the reason why I started my business Sound-how. The extra challenges I faced by being a member of the minority have made me truly value the importance of uniqueness and applying that to my work.
Tell us more about Sound-how.
I started Sound-how as a platform for diverse creatives to showcase their skills in sound and music production. Having faced the challenges I had especially when I was just starting out, I saw the greater need for more diversity and inclusivity in sound and music roles.
Sound-how also exists as a voice for women and other minorities in music and post-production. We have a great diverse team of award-winning sound and music professionals who are also committed to this vision.
Sound-how provides music services whilst being committed to social causes. Why is this important to you?
It was the challenges I faced early on in my career as a minority which gave me the incentive to do something even more with Sound-how. I felt the need to take Sound-how’s missions a step further, and increase the impact of what we do for the wider community.
Our clients receive extra value for using our services through our ‘5 to 1 project’, which is where we make one donation to a social cause for every fifth project we receive. By choosing us, they are also able to support our outreach and contributions to minority groups.
Do you have any final words for other composers who come from underrepresented communities?
My final words are: no matter how hard the going gets, keep creating your music!
The need for diverse and inclusive voices goes beyond having to stay fresh and relevant in our industry. By providing a platform for diverse and inclusive voices, we are helping to create a society that is more aware and willing to move past ‘norms’ and limitations.
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