Composer/Singer/Songwriter
Website: austinweber.info
Most recent: Rent Free
Referred to as the “Andy Kaufman of love songs” and likened to Jonathan Richman and Jaques Tati, singer, songwriter, composer and visual artist Austin Weber went viral in 2018 with a cover of ABBA’s “Mamma Mia” and continues to make his mark through theatrical shows, YouTube blogging, creating music videos and writing music for visual media. He recently wrote the score for Rent Free, which made its premiere at Tribeca Festival this June.
Originally tapped to write just one or two songs, Weber wound up scoring the entire film through a close collaboration with writer/director Fernando Andres and actor/producer Jacob Roberts. “One of the things I loved about Rent Free was doing more traditional score elements and cues, but also getting to write a lot of songs and provide a score and soundtrack at the same time,” Weber says. The team experimented with instruments including the mellotron, vibraphone and roller-rink organ with Weber drawing on his sculpting background to create instruments for the score.
“The first thing we did when we got together was sort of decide what the movie’s sonic world was going to be. We spent two days in my studio sharing references, I basically played every instrument I own, and we landed on the sounds that felt natural for different characters and moods,” Weber says.”
When it comes to creating music for film or visual media, people and a love for collaboration draw Weber into the project. “One of the things I love about working in movies is that feeling of being part of a team and collectively realizing a vision," he says. “The people who have helped me in my career are my friends, and I’m lucky to have them. Your biggest asset in life and career are your friends.”
Weber is working on music for a new feature shooting this fall.
