INTERVIEWS

 
 

NICOLAS CURCIO

Paul Koch is a versatile composer whose music seamlessly bridges the worlds of film, genre, and sound exploration. His work on the new SXSW premiered feature Redux Redux, his fourth feature collaboration with Matt and Kevin McManus, is a testament to his ability to create rich, atmospheric scores that enhance and evolve with the narrative. Redux Redux is a thrilling multiverse revenge story starring Michaela McManus, Jeremy Holm, and Stella Marcus, with standout performances from Jim Cummings, Taylor Misiak, and Grace Van Dien.

Koch’s score features a haunting, minimalist four-note theme that ties together the sci-fi, thriller, and horror genres with ease. He masterfully balances intimate character moments with epic, larger-than-life sequences, pushing the boundaries of organic instruments, new synth exploration, and atmospheric pads to create a sound that is as layered and dynamic as the story itself. Instead of focusing on the typical sci-fi trope of multiverse travel "melting your brain," this film dives deep into the psychological impact of prolonged multiverse travel and its effect on a person’s humanity. It’s this unique, thoughtful approach that Koch translates into his music, helping shape the emotional core of the film.

Additionally, Koch’s work extends beyond film score composition. He recently co-composed and co-produced the track HARD LIFE for the upcoming film Black Heat releasing March 28. The song features lyrics from NLE Choppa, one of the film’s stars, who brings a deeply personal touch to the track. Koch worked alongside Scott Sapcariu, his MOONROCK partner, to craft a beat that ties directly into the film's soundtrack. The song is a fusion of hip-hop and film scoring, and the inclusion of vocals by Talha Barberousse and a verse by Carey Washington adds another layer to the song’s connection to the film’s familial themes.

 

BEYOND THE CINERAMA DOME

Composer Paul Koch Puts Music to Parental Woes In “Redux Redux” & “Black Heat”

We are in a time of multiverses in pop culture. Jumping from universe to universe is not reserved for superhero flicks anymore. In Redux Redux, there is not a team of magically powered beings traversing time and space to save the day. Instead, it's a mother frantically moving from universe to universe to find one where her daughter is still alive. Providing the soundtrack to this mother's desperate journey is Paul Koch. He sat down with Beyond the Cinerama Dome to discuss his musical roots, frequent collaborations with the McManus brothers, and how his other recent project, Black Heat, bears some unlikely similarities to Redux Redux.

 

SOUNDIRON PODCAST EPisode #52

In this episode Craig & Nathan hang with Paul Koch - a film and television composer based in Los Angeles, CA. Paul has written music for a variety of genres, including horror, drama, action, documentary, and more. He is also one half of the neo-classical electronic duo MOONROCK. Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation on getting started in the film composing industry, creating your own virtual instruments, music education and much more.

 

POPAXIOM

Kevin Dillon, Frank Grillo, and Bruce Willis star in A Day To Die, an action film from director Wes Miller (Hell on the Border, River Runs Red) about an ex-military ops officer trying to save his wife from a local gang leader. Composer Paul Koch created the riveting music that underscores the film.

 

VENTS MAGAZINE - ISSUE 129

Paul Koch joins Rafa at Vents Magazine to chat A Day To Die, life, his process, his career, and much more!