About me…

Where to start? I’ll try to keep it brief… A love of music got me into a few school and college bands, after which I began writing music for student films at the art college (SIAD) near where I grew up.

A job in a Soho-based post production facility (De Lane Lea/Boom Post) followed. Not having been to film school, this was invaluable for getting an insight into post production processes; I got to watch the likes of Stephen Frears, Joe Wright and Stephen Daldry during the later stages of assembling their films. It was an invigorating and inspirational time, which demystified the film and TV world for me.

Here I met composer Julian Nott, who helped me into my first television composition job, which was for a Channel 4 documentary series in 2000. Since then I’ve composed for a variety things, and been lucky to work with many talented people.

So far, my television music has spanned quite a broad spectrum of genres. Among these are entertainment shows with Derren Brown, Matt Lucas and Simon Pegg, as well as documentaries like the BBC’s How Art Made The World, Heir Hunters and the excellent, subtle Wonderland documentary strand for BBC2.

My drama composition has evolved on the last few series of Silent Witness, writing additional music for Sheridan Tongue. This year I’m thrilled that BBC Drama have commissioned me to compose for the new series with Sheridan. It’s a pleasure to work on a show of this quality, and each two-hour story allows the score its own voice.

I always aim for new and original sounds where possible. The composers whose music most heavily influence me include Michael Brook, Cliff Martinez, Gustavo Santaollala (whose Luthier has made me a couple of lovely instruments, from Argentina), Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, David Byrne, and too many more to mention them all.

I regularly work with other composers as well, doing guitar, other instrumental parts, and programming work – usually from my own studio (pictured). These projects have recently included the scores for the BBC’s Wonders of the Solar System, and Wonders of the Universe (composed by Sheridan Tongue), and a few Stephen Poliakoff films (composed by Adrian Johnston). I also wrote some original songs for the Poliakoff films Capturing Mary and Friends and Crocodiles.

Songwriting influences are many, and include Roddy Frame (an under-rated songwriter, in my opinion), Kris Kristopherson, Jimmy Webb, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, Ron Sexsmith. I’ve been lucky enough to co-write songs with Craig Gannon (The Smiths, Aztec Camera), Jon Allen and Jess Greenfield, and I continue to indulge this passion.

I’m a full member of BAFTA, PRS and BASCA. In 2007, The Performing Rights Society invited me to Hong Kong, to meet and write with composer members of the Hong Kong PRS equivalent, CASH.

I hope you enjoy this site and please do contact me for any further information – studio@danielmulhern.com

Thanks!