Markus Gleissner on the Beauty of Collaboration

Markus Gleissner is a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist from Germany. He creates music in a number of styles, ranging from cinematic atmospheric to uber-modern pop and hip-hop.

His music can be heard in TV shows all over the world, as well as in commercials for brands like Porsche, Mercedes, McDonalds and adidas.

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LBB> When you’re working on a new brief or project, what’s your typical starting point? How do you break it down and how do you like to generate your ideas or response?

Markus> For my most recent album, my goal was to create tracks that were either high energy or beats that had a certain swagger and coolness to them. Both styles are well-suited for sports entertainment.

I began by developing the initial musical ideas, and from there, I reached out to the vocalists I had in mind for collaboration. Fortunately, it didn't take much convincing to get everyone on board for this exciting project.

LBB> Music and sound are in some ways the most collaborative and interactive forms of creativity - what are your thoughts on this? Do you prefer to work solo or with a gang - and what are some of your most memorable professional collaborations?

Markus> I started my career working solo, and I do appreciate the freedom that comes with it. However, over the last few years, I've really enjoyed exploring collaborations in various forms, whether with session musicians or vocalists. Collaborations undoubtedly bring fresh ideas to the table that I wouldn’t have come up with on my own.

For this album, it was incredibly rewarding to work with singers from the US, UK, and Sweden. Michael McQuaid and Ziggy Sullivin brought their powerful, raw vocals to the indie and rock tracks, while Ameen and Per contributed some amazing raps for the hip-hop tracks. It was a lot of fun and a great learning experience.

LBB> What’s the most satisfying part of your job and why?

Markus> The most satisfying part of my job is hearing one of my songs featured in my favourite TV shows, or a really exciting commercial.

LBB> Who are your musical or audio heroes and why?

Markus> That's a long list, but I draw inspiration from a variety of sources.

I admire the raw sound of The White Stripes, the beautiful melodies of film composers like John Williams and Ludwig Göransson, and the musical genius of artists like M. Ward and Shugo Tokumaru.

And of course, I can't forget the late, great MF DOOM, especially his work on the ‘Madvillainy’ project.

LBB> When you’re working on something that isn’t directly sound design or music (lets say going through client briefs or answering emails) - are you the sort of person who needs music and noise in the background or is that completely distracting to you? What are your thoughts on ‘background’ sound and music as you work?

Markus> I do enjoy having background music while working on non-musical tasks. However, when I’m out and about, like taking a walk in the park or jogging along the river, I usually leave my in-ears at home and take the opportunity to enjoy the natural sounds around me.

LBB> On a typical day, what does your ‘listening diet’ look like?

Markus> Like most people, I enjoy listening to my favourite tracks and playlists on Spotify. When I have the time, I love discovering new and exciting artists and bands.

As a production music composer, I also make it a point to listen to a wide range of TV shows, commercials, trailers and more, paying close attention to the kinds of music being used. I believe it’s crucial in my field to stay current on the music being featured on TV and streaming platforms.

LBB> Do you have a collection of music/sounds and what shape does it take (are you a vinyl nerd, do you have hard drives full of random bird sounds, are you a hyper-organised spotify-er…)?

Markus> I primarily use Spotify for discovering new music and curating playlists for everyday listening. However, for my favourite albums, I prefer the experience of vinyl, often accompanied by a nice glass of rum. There's something special about the ritual and sound quality that vinyl offers.

LBB> Let’s talk travel! It’s often cited as one of the most creatively inspiring things you can do - I’d love to know what are the most exciting or inspiring experiences you’ve had when it comes to sound and music on your travels?

Markus> There are two unforgettable musical experiences from my travels.

A few years ago, I spent Christmas in Australia jamming with a didgeridoo player, and it was an amazing time.

Not long after, I travelled to Indonesia, where I became captivated by gamelan music (traditional Indonesian ensemble music featuring percussive instruments). I even took a gamelan lesson, which was incredibly fun.

LBB> As we age, our ears change physically and our tastes evolve too, and life changes mean we don’t get to engage in our passions in the same intensity as in our youth - how has your relationship with sound and music changed over the years?

Markus> My taste in music has definitely broadened, and I’ve learned to appreciate a variety of styles and genres that I didn’t particularly enjoy when I was younger.

However, one thing that hasn’t changed is my fascination with very old music. Whether it’s a Django Reinhardt song from the ’30s, Ella Fitzgerald from the ’40s, Lord Kitchener from the ’50s, The Beatles from the ’60s, or Elis Regina from the ’70s, that kind of music always puts a smile on my face!