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Oct. 15, 2012, 11:28 a.m. by LBBOnline
John Hermanson Scores MTV’s ‘Underemployed’
The co-owner/composer of Egg Music sets the scene for this new series
Minneapolis, MN/Venice, CA-based music company Egg Music co-owner/composer John Hermanson paints a musical backdrop of post-collegiate woes for the new hour-long scripted MTV series, Underemployed. The show, debuting October 16th, picks up one year after the college graduation of five friends; a time when reality has set in and the youths struggle, often comically, to stay optimistic through the major life changes twenty-somethings know too well. These include dead-end jobs, tyrannical bosses and romantic mishaps. Hermanson composed the original score for the series, produced by Emmy-nominated writer/producer Craig Wright (Six Feet Under, Dirty Sexy Money).
Wright became a fan of Hermanson’s music after hearing Escalator, the second release by the songwriter/producer’s band, Alva Star. Soon after, Wright made contact and kept in touch with Hermanson after moving to Los Angeles and achieving Hollywood success with his television-writing debut on Six Feet Under, later contributing to episodes of Lost and Brothers & Sisters. Wright brought Hermanson on board for the Underemployed pilot, and once the series was green-lit, the two set out to create a musical aesthetic for this MTV series. Hermanson notes, “We wanted the score to feel less forced and more like heartfelt songwriting. I approached every cue as if it was an opportunity for a song. Something that could stand on its own.” He worked closely with Wright to ensure that the music still maintained a sense soul and integrity while cultivating an overall midwestern indie rock feel that would be appropriate for the show.
At a time when the territory of traditional film and television composers is being infringed upon by music supervisors who license existing pop music as the sonic backdrop for shows, Hermanson’s wide-ranging background as a music creator endows this score with the personality and creativity expected from a recording artist. As a member of the nationally acclaimed acoustic duo, Storyhill, an Emmy award-winning music producer, and a songwriter for several groups including Minneapolis-based The Hopefuls, Hermanson was an attractive choice for a network that today maintains its musical taste-maker reputation via shows like Underemployed.
In other Egg news, to celebrate the launch of their new Venice, CA office, the company will be hosting an exclusive art opening featuring the work of Julia Vickerman. This event is the first of the studio’s planned quarterly art openings highlighting the work of emerging Southern California artists.
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