Trevor DeMaere is reaching for the stars – or rather, he hopes to provide music for the stars.
The Cochrane local is an up-and-coming music composer breaking into the film music industry.
He discovered his passion for creating music early on in high school and after that he was hooked.
“I was in a computer class at Bow Valley High School and they showed us Garage Band (a composing program) at first and then moving through the years, in grade 11 and 12, I took private classes for Logic Studio – a composing program for more advanced users,” said DeMaere.
After high school, he attended the University of Lethbridge taking Digital Audio Arts.
He’s currently taking time off from earning his bachelor of music to save up some money, and in the mean time has been collaborating with other music composers.
“I messaged a gentleman named Andy Hunter - an artist (from) Britain who’s composed electronic music for movies such as The Italian Job and Catch Me If You Can – and (suggested) we should collaborate on something.”
Hunter listened to DeMaere’s compositions and was eager to partner with him.
“I helped him compose his newest song, Harmony, which he (has) released to the public as a single,” said DeMaere.
In exchange for his effort, Hunter is giving DeMaere a percentage of the sales of his song as a royalty.
He was also contacted by the White Feather Foundation, a humanitarian and environmental foundation started by Julian and Cynthia Lennon (John Lennon’s eldest son and his first wife).
“(The foundation) used my music in the Earth Day meditation – Julian Lennon (did) a voice-over (on top) of my music.”
The meditation, which lasts nearly 20 minutes, was broadcast worldwide on Earth Day 2014.
A large part of his success is thanks to his popular YouTube channels, which combined have a total of around 3,800 subscribers. In addition, just last month his main channel reached a million views.
He originally started the channel in 2009 but he had a bit of a learning curve as he continued to develop his skills as a composer.
“It didn’t start getting actual views until around 2013, when I started releasing music that was a little more high quality and professional.”
Since then, his popularity on the website has skyrocketed, his channels garnering a combined total of about 7,000 views a day on average.
He plans on finishing his bachelor of music in the near future but for now is busy making contacts in the industry.
“I contacted a composer named Tony Anderson and he’s been a very big influence on what I do,” said DeMaere.
“He’s coached me on proper music technique and finding the right contacts.”
DeMaere knows breaking into the film music industry is no easy feat but he’s determined to try.
“It is very competitive – (getting) one of the very few chances of getting (to do) a film’s score is (equal to) a lottery win.”
Although he is already making large strides towards accomplishing his goal, for now, he is just happy that the people listening to his music are enjoying it.
“To hear (people) say that they listen to my music just to get by in their day and that (they find it) really inspiring and motivating – when I hear that, I’m motivated as well.”
Fans of DeMaere’s music can expect a new single from him in the new year, featuring Cochrane local Alex Dees on vocals.
