To better connect you with the brilliant talent behind our music, we're proudly spotlighting various artists, composers & producers on the Megatrax roster. Juan Arango is a composer, producer, and guitarist specializing in original music for film, television, video games, and audiovisual media, working with clients like NBC, ABC, Hulu, Amazon, and Disney Concerts. From his early beginnings in Colombia to fruitful musical endeavors in New York City, Juan's career spans a wide range of projects, including television shows, short films, commercials, documentaries, video games, podcasts, and commercial releases.

Hi Juan! Please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?

I'm a composer, producer, and guitarist specializing in original music for film, television, video games, and audiovisual media, working with clients like NBC, ABC, Universal Music Group, and Disney Concerts. Born in Santiago de Cali, Colombia, I started my musical career at age ten and graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2017. I earned a master's degree in Film Composition from NYU Steinhardt in 2020 and have worked on diverse projects. I also have extensive live performance experience, including joining Disney Concerts' "Encanto" Sing-Along Tour 2023.

How do you think the music industry will change over the next decade?

The music industry is one of the most volatile industries out there, having undergone numerous changes often driven by the evolution of technology. It would be impossible for anyone to accurately predict its future direction. However, one thing is certain: the era of artificial intelligence will substantially impact how we create, consume, and understand music. AI will not only enable more people to create music—though the quality remains to be seen—but it will also allow professionals to significantly enhance their productivity and quality of work. With all this considered, I'm excited for this new era.

Has there been a particular challenge that you’ve faced over the years?

Over the years, I've grappled with imposter syndrome and occasional glimpses of nihilism. When I was younger, I thought these feelings would dissipate after achieving certain milestones—working with a big client, going on a national tour, or landing a significant placement. However, even after reaching these goals, I occasionally find myself swimming in the waters of self-doubt and cynicism. I've come to believe that these feelings are part of the job description of being an artist and a necessary component of the creative process. So, over the years, I've learned to honor these feelings but understand that they are only temporary, which has made the process infinitely more manageable.

Any advice for fellow composers out there?

My advice for fellow composers is simple: get out of the house. It goes without saying that to be the best composer you can be, you must dedicate a significant amount of time to your craft. This involves countless hours spent alone, composing, reading, watching interviews, practicing your instrument, and then composing some more. However, the harsh reality is that there are countless composers out there who are just as qualified as you. The music industry, like many others, thrives on personal connections. Attend networking events, get to know people on a personal level, grab a cup of coffee or a drink, and collaborate with fellow composers. You never know who might provide the opportunity you've been seeking. For those of us who are introverted, this can be quite daunting. Yet, I can attest that through these efforts, I've not only secured great opportunities but have also forged meaningful and sincere friendships.

What can you tell us about your composition and production process?

I thrive on the unpredictability of the creative process. I find that when I push myself out of my comfort zone, I produce the best music. One approach I've adopted is to consistently try something new that shakes up my routine. This could take various forms. For example, I might challenge myself to create music using only audio, no MIDI. Alternatively, I might explore a music style I've never attempted before and try to compose a track in that style. Another technique is to record several guitar tracks and process them so they sound nothing like a guitar. One memorable experiment involved using a single synth, which I programmed by importing a recording of a hair dryer. That track remains one of my favorites. I welcome any opportunity that forces me to think outside the box.

How do you see the music you created being used?

As a media composer, my greatest desire is for the music I create to enhance the medium it accompanies and convey story elements that aren't apparent in the dialogue or scenography. Whether for a movie, TV show, or video game, I aspire for my compositions to feel so integral that the media would seem incomplete without them. My aim is not to overshadow the visuals or use them merely as a backdrop for showcasing my music. Instead, I adore the collaborative process, and my greatest desire is to create meaningful art that could not be achieved by my skills alone.

What are your biggest musical influences?

I have a plethora of musical influences, and I often find listing them somewhat disingenuous. Primarily because my influences, much like my tastes, are constantly changing and evolving. However, I will attempt to name a few that resonate with me at this moment: In the world of film composition, I greatly admire the work of Ludwig Göransson, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Howard Shore, John Williams, and Hans Zimmer. In the realm of video games, I highly respect Koji Kondo, Nobuo Uematsu, Yoko Shimomura, Bear McCreary, and Grant Kirkhope. Additionally, as a jazz musician and guitarist, this aspect profoundly influences my music-making. Some of my heroes include Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Wayne Shorter, among many others.

Tell us a bit about the work you’ve done in film/TV/advertising. What are some placements you're most proud of?:

In the realm of television, some of the placements I’m most proud of include my first significant placements, which affirmed that pursuing a career in this field was feasible. I have secured multiple placements on major NBC and ABC shows, such as Dateline and 20/20. Additionally, having my music featured on the TODAY show was very exciting. In the world of film, I contributed music to the documentary Clinton's Calling, which was honored as "Best Documentary" at the Indie Shorts Mag Short Film Festival. In advertising, I've had the opportunity to compose music for major clients including Amazon. As an artist, I’ve also written music for artists signed with major labels like Universal Music Group.

Tell us about your upcoming projects! What does the rest of this year have in store for you?

As of now, I can't reveal much about the most exciting thing that is going to happen this year. All I can say is that I might be going on tour again... However, here are some things I can share: I've been expanding my network in the world of TV and sync licensing, and I am very excited about some opportunities on the horizon. I'm getting the chance to write for some major network shows. Additionally, I've been delving deeper into the world of video games and have started collaborating with a colleague to market ourselves as a do-it-all audio team. I'm also thrilled about releasing some of my own music as an artist later this year!

Listen to Juan Arango's tracks for Megatrax here.