John Hermanson Scores MTV’s ‘Underemployed’

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.