Interview with Sebastian Evans: Composer of Nickelodeon’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” animated series

Sebastian Evans’ diverse talents have steadily established him as a true force in the competitive world of film and TV music. Invigorating several hit animated television shows with his unique style, his composing accomplishments and critical acclaim continue to grow. Most recently, Sebastian’s distinct sound has helped reinvent the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise starring Seth Green and Sean Astin. From his involuntary head-bob inducing main title theme, to his seamless blend of Japanese instrumentation and modern western styles, Sebastian has provided a lively score that has helped to reinvent Nickelodeon’s Emmy-winning series for a whole new generation.

Sebastian has also created scores for other hugely popular shows including Cartoon Network’s Ben 10: Omniverse, starring Yuri Lowenthal and Joe DiMaggio, Transformers: Animated, starring David Kaye and Tara Strong as well as Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go, starring Greg Cipes and Mark Hamill for Disney. He has also worked on various projects for Warner Brothers, Adult Swim and Fox.

Citing influences ranging from Raymond Scott and Edvard Grieg to Thomas Newman and Tool, Sebastian draws on a diverse musical pool for inspiration. In particular, his versatile style is enhanced by his idiomatic use of rhythms and progressions, which he derives from his love of hip-hop music.

A California native, Sebastian aspires to score for many genres across film and television. His favorite Ninja Turtle is Donatello.

KAPA187: When did you start making music, and what inspired you to focus on composing music for film and TV.

Sebastian Evans:  Well, I’ve always had an affinity for film and tv music since before I can remember. My parents can attest to that. They remember me humming commercial jingles and tv show theme songs constantly. I’d also hum background music passages of shows while we were watching the show. They thought I had some type of humming Tourette syndrome or something. But it wasn’t until my dad took me to see “Return of the Jedi” when I was 7 that I understood that this was a career that you could do for a living. Eventually, my parents got me a piano and lessons when I was around 10. I’d set up my boombox next to the piano, push record and spend hours making my own scores to my favorite movies. As I grew up I was heavily involved in music programs provided by my school and community. Like all of them. Jazz Band, Marching Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, Drumline, Choir, Music Theatre. If music was involved, I was a part of it. It was in these forums that I first began writing original music for others to play.

KAPA187: How did you get the opportunity to work on the animated series “Teenage mutant ninja turtles”?

Sebastian Evans:  Ciro (The producer of the show) called me up and asked me if I wanted to do the music for the pilot. The pilot led to me doing the music for the entire show including the main theme. I was a HUGE TMNT fan as a kid and to grow up, work on the reboot and contribute to the franchise is a humbling honor.

KAPA187:  You have worked on a different animated series such as ‘Ben 10: Omniverse’,’Transformers animated’ etc. Do you use the same approach when composing for all of them?

 Sebastian Evans:  Yes and no. I say yes because every project starts with what is needed or what needs to be enhanced. This is talked about in great length and determined over time by the director, producer and myself. I also try to come up with a style or over arching sound that is custom made and unique to the project. Those aspects are the same for every project. The approach becomes different when we delve deeper into the show. Some shows call for a need to work linear from beginning to end. Others (like tmnt) require me to come up with a feel or motif before I begin laying down tracks. Sometimes I find myself jumping around an episode for big moments and then linking it all together later.

KAPA187:  Being one of the few black composers in the industry do you feel added pressure to succeed?

Sebastian Evans:   I don’t feel any added pressure. But that might also be because most people don’t know I’m a black composer. Most composers enjoy a kind of incognito presence in the industry which I like. I’ve been very fortunate so far to have a career where no one seems to give it a second thought. They just want good music. My hope is that my work will continue to speak for itself just like everybody else in this field.

KAPA187: What challenges have you faced as a composer and how have you overcome them?

Sebastian Evans:   The biggest challenge for me has always been the notorious DEADLINE! In animation, the turn around time for an episode is very fast compared to movies or non animated TV shows so I’m always in a race against time to get the episode done and sounding as dope as possible. I’m one of those people that needs a deadline or I could spend days perfecting 5 seconds of a single cue. I do believe the awesome factor goes up the more time I have though.

KAPA187:  Having worked on numerous animated series do you have desires of working on feature films?

Sebastian Evans:   Of course! I’ve always wanted to go to the theatre and watch a movie with my score in the background. That’s probably most composers’ dream. I also would love to work on a non animated TV show one day.

KAPA187:  Apart from music, what else are you involved in?

Sebastian Evans:  Nothing. I’m kind of boring in that way. Oh! But I love Legos.

KAPA187:  Are there many opportunities for young people who may not be based in the US to get into the industry?

Sebastian Evans:  Well, the industry is vast. But I’d say anybody who wants to get into the industry needs to physically go where the industry resides.

KAPA187: What advice do you have for young people who would like to compose music for TV and film?

Sebastian Evans:   Learn the basics of music theory and instrumentation. A solid foundation in these areas are priceless in this field.

KAPA187: Any last words…

Sebastian Evans:  Cats rule.

 

Listen to Sebastians compositions for Nickelodeon’sTeenage mutant Ninja Turtles HERE

You can watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Nickelodeon DSTV channel 305

 

BY KAPA187