Back in February, when the world was somewhat more normal, and you could actually sit in a room with someone without protective gear, I had the chance for a face-to-face chat with composer, classically-trained experimental violinist and songwriter, Emer Kinsella.
Hailing from Dublin, but now based in Los Angeles, Emer found her musical voice at a very young age, being just two years old when she first picked up the violin! A prolific violinist, arranger, and composer, she is known for her textural and minimal introspective string writing, blended together with ambient electronics and poignant soundscapes.
Emer has worked on a wide range of projects across tv and film, including working with Johnny Klimek on beloved Netflix series ‘Sense8’, and the motion picture ‘Jungle’, starring Daniel Radcliffe. She also scored the documentary film ‘Faith’, and the award-winning short film ‘Suburban Jungle’ which won Best Short film at the San Pedro International Film Festival in 2018.
In the video interview above we chat about some of Emer’s more recent projects, including scoring the multi-award-winning LGBT short film ‘In Orbit’, for which she was nominated for the Best Score at the International Sound and Film Music Festival in Croatia earlier this year. We also chat about her work on Oscar-nominated movie ‘St. Louis Superman’ on which Emer played violin for composer Amanda Jones, and working for Benjamin Wallfisch as the music production coordinator on the blockbuster films ‘Hellboy’ and ‘Shazam’.
In addition to scoring film and television, we also discuss Emer’s work creating experiential concerts and immersive live performances. In August last year, she created the ‘Intrinsic Strings’ immersive event, which integrated live orchestral musicians and virtual reality in an exploration of what brings people together, empowers them and brings them joy. Featuring music by Emer and LA-based contemporary film and video game composers, Jeff Rona, Penka Kouneva, Drum & Lace, Allyson Newman, and Ben Coria, the performers presented insight into how music can unite people and create a community in large metropolitan areas.
In addition to all that, early in the pandemic lockdown craziness, Emer made headlines with fellow violinist Bonnie Von Duyke, poking some fun at the panic buying. The duo donned lifejackets and headed to the empty toilet paper aisle of their local supermarket to play the hymn, Nearer My God to Thee, probably best-known by people as the last song played on the deck of the Titanic as it sank!
You can find more of Emer Kinsella’s work on her website here.
