We recently connected with Greg O’Connor and have shared our conversation below.

Greg, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned how to play the piano and compose scores and songs by exposing myself to many different genres of music over a long period of time, starting when I was 4 years old. My parents always took me and my siblings to concerts and musicals. I studied classical piano, starting at age 6. I played piano and alto sax in various instrumental ensembles in grade school and high school. In college, I performed in the jazz band, a pop band, a funk band and was in the glee club. In grad school, I learned how to write for various instrumental combinations from teachers that were working composers in film and television. One thing I could have done to speed up my learning process would have been to study one on one with a seasoned film composer after grad school. There are some things that you can not learn in school. The skills that I feel are most essential that I have acquired over time are the ability to communicate and understand the language of those with whom I am working. I think it is important to be a people person and to be a positive energy source. Musical knowledge is important. But one must also be a psychologist, a team builder and a producer who has a deep understanding of the human condition. I do not feel there are any obstacles that stood in the way of my learning. I believe things happen the way they are meant to happen.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a composer, songwriter and record producer based in Los Angeles. I got my first scoring “gig” shortly after grad school scoring a sketch comedy show called “The Sunday Comics.” That project led me down a path of many years scoring and writing featured songs for eleven sketch comedy and variety shows. During that time, I was fortunate enough to have been given a master class in many different styles and genres of scoring and songwriting. These experiences led me to score more long form dramatic projects for TV and film and to work with many recording artists, actors and comedians.

I one of my best assets is my ability to adapt to various situations. One week I could be scoring a cop drama and the next week I could be composing a sound design type score for a story about a person suffering from mental illness. I can then quickly jump back into scoring a comedic animation feature film. I never know where the industry will take me. The fun part of my job is never being pigeon holed into one particular thing. Another asset I have is my ability to work quickly and deliver the music on time and on budget.

One of the things I am most proud of is winning a Primetime Emmy for a song I co-wrote for the Fox sketch comedy series “MadTV” as well as being nominated 4 times in total. Another proud moment is writing several songs for the legendary band Chicago who is my favorite band and was a huge inspiration and musical influence for me growing up.

The most important thing for me as a composer is that I want to continue to be given the opportunity to write scores for smart projects. Character driven dramas and cleverly written comedies can always get my creative juices flowing. I also love writing featured songs for visual media that can add an important layer to the storytelling.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I recall working on a feature film where there were two studio executives, three producers, a director and a music supervisor on the project. All of them had notes and opinions. All of us were on the same creative page, with exception of one studio executive. After all the music (80 minutes of orchestral score and 4 featured songs) were signed off on, I received a 17 page, single spaced, email from this exec with major notes/changes. I went in and executed most of the notes and sent in the changes after weeks of work. The other seven people really wanted the score as I had originally delivered it. So the back and forth and compromises went on for weeks during the thick of the pandemic. Needless to say, patience was a key ingredient for this very unusual situation. I will say, to composers who are just starting out, that there is no straight line to success and there are many bizarre scenarios with which you will be presented. You have to commit to being in it for the long game. Most projects are not easy. Every once in a while you may be overpaid for a really easy gig. Think of those situations as unusual gifts. Most times you will be challenged. These are the moments where we have the opportunity to become better.

Have you ever had to pivot?

At one point in my career I had reached a dark period. I had a long run of projects for many years that suddenly and unexpectedly ended. There are constant shifts in our industry, most of which are out of our control. People either refuse to adapt and try to force things to be the way they once were, or they retreat and attack from a different direction. I chose the latter. I created new relationships by reaching out to various producers, directors, music supervisors and songwriters. I went to many meetings, lunches and dinners. Maybe one out of every thirty people with whom I connected ended up becoming a fruitful relationship. Most of those relationships have turned into amazing friendships. These connections led to new types of gigs. My past experience has helped me to be able to adapt to new and challenging work situations. I also met some great songwriting collaborators on social media, two of which co-wrote several songs with me on my upcoming solo album called “The Place I’ve Never Been” which is being released on October 25th. The take away for me is that this chosen career will always be full of twists and turns. Rather than thinking of the big break, I realize that a career is a very long series of small breaks and tiny victories.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.gregoconnor.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greg_oconnor/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/gregoconnorcomposer/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-o-connor-4a28938
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GregOConnorHits
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gregsongs1
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0640346/?ref_=fn_al_nm_2PUBLICITYhttps://thehollywood360.com/emmy-winning-composer-greg-oconnor-scores-big/http://schmoozejazz.com/2020/05/04/musicians-and-online-concerts-the-new-normal-in-the-wake-of-coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR0Durc7fOy8ixOpoPn_McPaITpJPMv4NeKesTUnXyoEvs0iyc74jEJknHU

  https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9326699/gay-mens-chorus-los-angeles-laura-dern-remix

  https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8550522/2020-spirit-awards-laura-dern-song-gay-mens-chorus-of-los-angeles

  https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gay-mens-chorus-los-angeles-sings-praises-laura-dern-at-spirit-awards-1277666

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcchdxkYfbQ

Image Credits

“Hard to Say Goodbye”(single cover/main image) Photographed by Kevin Sikorski @escaperealife
“Piano” Photographed by Kevin Sikorski @escaperealife
“Greg on the Farm” Photographed by Kevin Sikorski @escaperealife
“To Be With You” (single cover/beach image) Photographed by Kevin Sikorski @escaperealife
“Greg in Studio” Photographed by Brian Christ @brianchrist