The Royal Academy Connection

I met Joe Zeitlin at the Royal Academy of Music, and from the moment we connected, I knew he was something special. As a classical cellist, Joe was exceptional—technically brilliant with a deep understanding of the instrument’s expressive capabilities. But what really struck me was his approach to composition and production on computer.

Joe was genuinely innovative when it comes to composing digitally. Inspired by artists like Autechre, Aphex Twin, and Squarepusher, we discovered we had remarkably similar tastes in electronic dance music. We’d go clubbing together, dissecting the production techniques, the rhythmic complexity, the sound design—always with an ear for how these electronic sensibilities could inform our own work.

That combination—virtuoso classical training meets cutting-edge electronic music production—would become the foundation for what we’d eventually create together.

Perfect Timing

We’d stayed in touch since the Royal Academy and would catch up when we could. One night, Joe was visiting family nearby and we met for a drink. The conversation turned to music, and we talked about collaborating on something—just exploring ideas together, no specific project in mind.

Two days later, I received a call from Vivian, a friend of a friend. She was looking for a composer to work on an album with Red Bull Media House. They had a specific brief: string compositions combined with sophisticated production. The music needed to be cinematic, dramatic, and powerful—the kind of tracks that could underscore high-energy content, but with genuine musical substance.

The choice was obvious. This was our first work collaboration, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

The creative vision was clear from the start: we wanted to make tracks that were big and cinematic—Vivaldi-inspired energy with modern beats and rhythmical accompaniment. The idea wasn’t to create background music, but rather compositions that could stand on their own while serving the visual content they’d eventually underscore.

Joe played cello, and we brought in Dan, an exceptional violinist, to complete the string ensemble. Together, we explored countless musical ideas, experimenting with different textures, rhythmic patterns, and production approaches. Eventually, we settled on six tracks, each with its own character and mood.

Joe and I shared the composition and arrangement duties across all six tracks. It was a genuine collaboration—bouncing ideas back and forth, building on each other’s strengths, and pushing the music in directions neither of us would have gone alone.

The six tracks each capture a different facet of that cinematic, suspenseful energy we were aiming for. The album has been described as “a regal sounding collection of Chamber Music, with a suspenseful edge, featuring prominent and creatively composed strings, highlighting the dynamic potential of these emotive instruments.”

Track List

Gesture: Joe’s Electronic Music Persona

Beyond his classical work and commercial composition, Joe has developed a parallel artistic identity under the name Gesture. This is where you hear the full extent of his electronic music vision—the Autechre and Aphex Twin influences we used to discuss over drinks after gigs.

While String Resonance I leans heavily into the chamber music aesthetic, the electronic production sensibility that runs through the album owes everything to Joe’s deep understanding of electronic music. That’s the beauty of this collaboration—it’s chamber music informed by decades of listening to and creating electronic music.

You can follow Joe’s work on Instagram and explore his commercial composition portfolio at joezeitlin.com.

Bringing It Together

The tracks were mixed by Josh Clark at Get Real Audio in Bath. Josh brought over 15 years of experience to the project, and his work was crucial in achieving the balance we were after—powerful and cinematic, but with clarity and detail in every element.

Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of what we created. It was our first professional collaboration, and it opened the door to thinking about how classical training and electronic sensibilities could coexist in the same musical space. The fact that it happened at such a meaningful time in both our lives—new parents, reconnecting after years apart—makes it even more special.

“A regal sounding collection of Chamber Music, with a suspenseful edge, featuring prominent and creatively composed strings, highlighting the dynamic potential of these emotive instruments.”

— Sounds of Red Bull

Listen to String Resonance I

String Resonance I is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Released 2024 | Sounds of Red Bull | Composed and arranged by Jools Scott & Joe Zeitlin | Mixed by Josh Clark