NAMM 2019: Junkie XL Interview

Junkie XL

Tom Holkenborg, aka Junkie XL, is a Grammy nominated and multi platinum producer, musician, and composer whose versatility puts him on the cutting edge of contemporary music, as well as in the vanguard of exciting new film composers. He is able to draw on his extensive knowledge of classical forms and structures while keeping one finger planted firmly on the pulse of popular music. When this eclectic background is paired with his skill as a multi-instrumentalist (he plays keyboards, guitar, drums, violin, and bass) and mastery of studio technology, a portrait emerges of an artist for whom anything is possible. In 2013, Holkenborg created the music for the Relativity Media film, Paranoia. Shortly after, he was brought in by Zack Snyder, producer of 300: Rise of an Empire. The momentum continued as Lionsgate, recognizing his talent, hired him for their new young adult film Divergent, based on Veronica’s Roth’s successful trilogy. Both movies gave Tom the honor of having worked on two worldwide box office Number 1’s in the span of two weeks of their release. Following the successful completion of 300 and Divergent, Oscar winning director George Miller and his team hired Tom for the brand new installment of the Mad Max franchise, which will be released May 15th, 2015. Tom was also called in to score the small UK independent film Kill Your Friends and the Liam Neeson Action Thriller Run All Night (March, 2015). While working on these two films, his long friend and mentor Hans Zimmer asked him to take care of the Batman music parts in the upcoming Batman vs Superman (due out in March 2016). The foundation for this new career was laid in his native Holland where he created multiple film scores. Later he continued to grow under mentor ships of celebrated composers like Harry Gregson Williams (on “Domino” and “Kingdom of Heaven”) and Klaus Badelt (on “Catwoman”). But things really started to fall into place when Tom started collaborating with Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer. Most recently on the 2013 blockbuster Man Of Steel. but that film already marked the fifth scoring collaboration between Holkenborg and Zimmer. Earlier Holkenborg worked with Zimmer on Dark Knight Rises (2012), Madagascar 3 (2012), Megamind (2010), and Inception (2010). Earlier in his composing career Holkenborg has also provided music for the films Bandslam, Kingdom of Heaven, Domino, DOA: Dead or Alive, Shark Tale, The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury, The Animatrix and Resident Evil. Holkenborg’s illustrious career started in the 1993 when he started industrial rock band Nerv and was also producing hardcore and metal bands like Sepultura and Fear Factory. Drawn by electronic breakbeats he started Junkie XL in 1997 debuting with the album Saturday Teenage Kick. Holkenborg went on to produce 5 more albums under the moniker while playing headline shows all over the world. In 2002 the producer remixer scored a number 1 hit in 24 countries with his rework of “A Little Less Conversation”. Following the success Holkenborg collaborated with celebrated artists like Dave Gahan, Robert Smith, Chuck D, and remixed artists such as Coldplay, Depeche Mode, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and many more. In addition Holkenborg created the music for video games like Need For Speed, The Sims, and SSX and commercials for global campaigns like Nike, Heineken, Adidas, Cadillac and VISA. With a solid command of the craftsmanship of film scoring, the understanding of the history, but always with an eye on the future. The future for Junkie XL in Hollywood looks bright. source: www.junkiexl.com http://www.junkiexl.com/ https://twitter.com/junkie_xl https://www.facebook.com/junkiexl https://www.youtube.com/user/junkiexlofficial https://instagram.com/junkie_xl/ https://soundcloud.com/junkiexl