39 Quotes by Cliff Martinez

Composers are in some ways the last frontier of musician that gets a paycheck for their musical services.

Composing demands a degree of isolation.

I guess I'd like to have my cake and eat it, too. I want to be known for having a recognizable style. I believe having your own personal identity is what makes you competitive. On the other hand, I would like to be versatile and be challenged to go in new directions.

For me, the work begins with a rough cut of the film. I can't do much with the script. I've tried to write music to a script prior to seeing the film, but I've found it turns out to be a waste of time.

I'm kind of an antisocial person. I realised when I was playing in bands that I wasn't that comfortable being on-stage, and I preferred to be behind-the-scenes. I like the seclusion of composing.

I don't want to be typecast as the 'ambient guy' or someone who only does electronic scores. I think most of the work that comes my way is because people feel they know me musically.

The more I come to understand music, the more I feel like a numbskull because there is always more to learn.

Pop music is a fashion, and fashions come and go. The public retires you as their tastes change.

I like directors that give their composer a juicy role in their films. Some films have a small, minor role for music, some have a larger role.