Where do indie devs find composers? Thread

Hi,

I'm a composer currently trying to expand my portfolio with more video games jobs, but I'm struggling to find indie games that don't already have a composer attached to them. It would be extremely valuable to me if any indie devs who have worked/are working with composers could let me know how you went about finding/hiring them. Or if any composers want to share their stories on how they found video game work, that would also be useful. Personally, I've had some limited success by browsing job websites, although I wouldn't say I get regular video game work from these methods.

Thanks,

Ian.

Hi Ian,

I'm on the same boat as you are: trying to expand portfolio with video games. Yeah, it's hard. I think the way to go is to search with a lot of frequency on game devs forums. An opportunity could born at any time, anywhere!

I'm looking forward to this topic. Would be good to hear from game devs about where they find composers.

Hello Ian,

I'm Gagelan. I can't answer your question about where game dev's usually find their composers, because I have yet to find a composer, but I can offer you a position in my team. I'm the head of a new team called Lore Interactive. Our aim is a high fantasy rpg with strategy and sandbox elements which will be released for free on Steam.
The story and art teams have come together pretty well but I'm still lacking a composer, sound effects artist, several coders, and 3d modelers.
While I would want to hear an example of your work, I do want to keep the door open to anyone wanting experience in the field.
The job is not guaranteed pay, however we will be starting a Kickstarter campaign for $9300 and everyone who has stayed from beginning to end will get $500 as well as priority pick for future openings, assuming we are funded, and assuming we have future projects. (Which would be more than likely to pay more.)

The mission is to have it finished and released by early 2016. Our page is here. Indiedb.com
If interested you can just reply to me here or email me at the company email LoreInteractive@gmail.com ( Or my personal email, wesleyreid94@gmail.com )
Hope to hear back from you my friend.

Just put your demo around and people will contact you if they find it good. At least that's how it works for me for sound design. Granted it's not music but most of the time mod and indie guys really only have one sound designer so it's not that different.

Then you'll have the problem that a lot of teams that work for free are actually kinda clueless when it comes to making games and a lot of projects fail because of it so you kinda have to get lucky too.

To answer the question they probably find them here, it's just that there is way too many composer compared to the needs.

Ian, I'm a composer myself. The best thing I can suggest is to write music. Write anything and everything you can. Then, start talking to game devs on twitter, or your social media platform of choice .. If you put together a nice demo reel with a wide variety of emotions and techniques, and start showcasing it, I'm sure you can find people in need of your services .. I also know a couple of devs who could use a composer, so get at me if you want me to make that introduction for you

Edited by: ThriveGames

Hello to everyone! I'm in the same spot right now, I've always been composing, because I'm a professional guitar player playing in several bands, but I wanted to make music for videogames too, its my passion! I started no long ago and a game with my music (called Dash Tap) was released months ago; but I still looking for work and it could be amazing to team up with a good team.

Here's my portfolio, I wish it can be of help Ian. (You can find lots of different genres there)

Mattohaira.bandcamp.com
Soundcloud.com