In a Film Scorer first, a composer-director team joins the show! Composer Suvi-Eeva Äikäs & director Ben Steiner recently worked together on Ben’s film Matriarch (which Ben directed and which Suvi scored). As such, we primarily talk about Suvi’s score for Matriarch from both the director and composer perspectives (and with them each touching on sound design as well, particularly regarding the score edging into sound design and the sound design edging into score). Along the way, we touch on some big questions, like the role of film music, collaborating (and how to push back), and plenty more.
Suvi and Ben actually connected in Bristol, England through a mutual friend, Ben Salisbury (Annihilation, Ex Machina). Suvi has also worked with Ben Salisbury and his longtime composing partner Geoff Barrow on several projects, including Devs and Men, and Geoff’s label Invada released Suvi’s follow-up score, Baghead. As such, we even spend some time at the end of our conversation talking about the Bristol arts scene and how important it is to have a robust, in-person cultural scene.
You can find out more about Suvi on her website or about Ben on his website. Suvi’s score is out on all major platforms, and Matriarch is currently on Hulu.
Have a listen to our conversation below or wherever you get your podcasts (including Spotify and Apple Podcasts). Enjoying these interviews? Show the love by subscribing and leaving a rating or review!
