We recently connected with Thomas Eggensberger and have shared our conversation below.

Thomas, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I believe that taking risks is a vital part of being happy and successful in the music industry and in life, in general. Taking risks allows you to learn, make mistakes in the process from which you can learn even more, and allows you to understand yourself and your goals.

One of the biggest risks I have taken so far was founding a brand-new sample library company called Inlet Audio. We create artist-driven sample library products for composers and artists to use in various media projects. There are a lot of sample library companies out there, but I really wanted to do things a bit differently and foster a sense of personality, opportunity, and community. I wanted to create a space where musicians can thrive by showcasing their unique sounds and talents, offering new opportunities for growth and collaboration, and building a supportive community that empowers them to succeed.

A big part of our products is that we want our customers to really know and appreciate whose sounds they are playing, which musician’s creations and improvisations they are listening to, and to support and promote our recording artists directly with each product.
We are continuously working with new artists from around the world, and our goal is to bridge the gap for musicians playing in a music ensemble and becoming a session musician by encouraging collaborations with Inlet Audio, creating additional revenue streams for musicians.

The feedback we have been receiving from our customers has been absolutely overwhelming, and I am just so grateful that our mission is being heard.

If I hadn’t taken the risk to found this company from scratch, we could have never created any products that so directly promote and support musicians, nor offered a wide range of truly unique sounds to composers. From my personal perspective, founding Inlet Audio has allowed me to work with a variety of musicians and absolutely love the process of recording and sampling. I believe, especially in the rise of AI in the music industry, we need to make sure we prioritize musicians and their community and support them.

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?

Absolutely! I was born in Munich, Germany, and my journey with music began at an early age, starting with learning how to play the piano. My early piano teachers often had me play classical pieces by various composers, and while I initially enjoyed it, I soon realized my inclination towards changing and adapting these pieces to make them my own. I often experimented with making classical pieces more “jazzy” or incorporating elements to create something entirely new. This realization led me to aspire to be a composer rather than a performing musician.

Subsequently, I pursued studies in sound engineering in Munich, followed by Composition and Creative Music Technology at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in the UK. I furthered my education by obtaining a Master’s in Composition for the Screen at Columbia College Chicago. Eventually, I relocated to Los Angeles, where I currently reside.

My professional services revolve around composition for film, television, trailers, and production music. Throughout the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with esteemed figures in the industry, such as Ronit Kirchman, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Hildur Gudnadottir, Kubilay Uner, and many more. These collaborations have profoundly influenced and enriched my musical journey, allowing me to offer truly unique music for each project.

When working with clients, my priority is always to understand and fulfill their needs and vision. An essential aspect of this commitment involves working with real musicians to capture authentic performances, adding a true human expression to every track. I often create my own sample instruments from these real recordings, producing intriguing textures derived from genuine, expressive performances.

This commitment to authentic musical expression also motivated me to start my sample library company, Inlet Audio, where we specialize in creating sample libraries that support and promote each musician involved.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

In my dual roles as a composer and CEO of a sample library company, my overarching goal is to engage in musical collaborations with as many people as possible. I am deeply passionate about the collaborative process, relishing the opportunity to create something entirely new and unique that did not exist before, and to share it with the world.

In my composition work, I consistently strive to deliver the most original, expressive, and emotive music to my clients, aiding in bringing their visions to life. Whether it’s for film, TV, or production music, the objective stays consistent: to craft something distinctive that tells a captivating and unprecedented story.

Simultaneously, as the head of a sample library company, my objectives revolve around providing affordable, human, and unique sample libraries. These libraries are designed not only to empower composers to express themselves through their music but also to support the musicians involved in the creative process.

The common thread that unites both facets of my work is the emphasis on originality, collaboration, and community.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative, for me, is the people I encounter throughout the creative process. There is an abundance of inspiring and talented individuals in the creative community, and engaging with a diverse array of artists and creatives is both incredibly inspiring and fulfilling. Collaborating with others to create something meaningful and then sharing it with the wider community is truly wonderful and, ultimately, is the driving force behind why we all pursue this passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.t-e-music.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/te_music/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-eggensberger-631779120/