To pursue a career in production music, I can’t help but feel like you have to be slightly mad. The competition is fierce, the market is saturated and the pressure is high. Good thing I’m mad then. Good thing I’m also prone to obsession, and have been obsessed with recording my own music ever since I figured out I could record guitar riffs into my Samsung flip phone 20 years ago. Some things have changed since then, like finally being happy with the standard of my productions. But the obsession is still the same. So it was heartbreaking when, in 2022, after 8 years of toiling to become a flashy independent prog guitarist (scouring the depths of my soul making visionary epic rock tracks and dreaming of lavishing in millions of adoring fans) it all came crashing down. I’d had some (very) modest successes, but inside it felt like I was failing, and I realised it just wasn’t my path. It was then that a friend turned me on to production music. And before long I had my first 10 tracks accepted by the boutique library Twisted Jukebox. I was hooked. I’ve since built a catalogue of over 70 tracks, from stomp rock to indie pop to hip-hop rock, and partnered with another exclusive library, 411. So here I am, playing out my dream job: making production music. And it’s tough but I love it! Which is why being shortlisted for this award would be life changing. To have my efforts recognised by industry professionals I admire would give me a firmer sense of conviction that a career in sync is possible. And the opportunities that could come from just being shortlisted, let alone winning, would help me really spread my wings and take bolder steps in my journey. So this is why I’m applying. Thank you for your time, consideration and all you’ve contributed to this industry. All the best, Theo