Sid Acharya is an Australian composer who is known for his internationally acclaimed studio albums and music for film. His style is most recognizable by use of electronic moving elements with deep and melancholic orchestral textures, mostly within the genre of contemporary classical music.
ABOUT SID ACHARYA
Sid Acharya is an Australian composer who is known for his internationally acclaimed studio albums and music for film. His style is most recognizable by use of electronic moving elements with deep and melancholic orchestral textures, mostly within the genre of contemporary classical music.
Sid was raised in England for some time, and mainly in Aberdeen, Scotland for the first 10 years of his life, until moving to Newcastle, Australia in 2009. His exposure to a variety of cultures and locations around the world, particularly his youth in the shire of the Scottish Highlands was a key force in shaping his musical style in addition to his Indian ethnicity.
Although Sid attempted formal piano lessons for some time, he had no interest in playing pieces written by other composers and wished to write his own music. Contributing to this, Sid struggled to play by traditional method of sight reading as he cannot read sheet music and would play by ear instead. Without formal musical training, Sid began experimenting with musical software and looping programs in his teenage years, which formed the basis of his knowledge for his introduction to orchestral music in 2017.
His music has been used for a variety of purposes with NASA, Sony, Arsenal F.C., and trailer label Methodic Music, in addition to placements in film and documentaries. Sid also continues to release his internationally acclaimed studio albums such as his 2020 release Stories from the Sky, and composes music for award-winning films that have been released to streaming platforms such as Stan, Apple TV, Amazon Prime
THE PROMISE (DOCUMENTARY)
AACTA 2024: CANDIDATE FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
THE PROMISE is an Australian feature-length documentary that explores mental illness and preventing suicide. Screened in 12 cinemas around Australia including Event Cinemas and The Ritz, the documentary follows the compelling journey of Craig Hamilton, a courageous individual who battled mental health challenges and overcame suicidal thoughts. Through Craig's story, the film aims to spark a conversation, an action and a solution for mental health and suicide prevention. As the documentary unfolds, viewers witness Craig's personal struggles and triumphs, delving into the depths of his emotional turmoil and the impact it had on his life. The film navigates the complexities of mental health issues with sensitivity and honesty, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental illness and the importance of seeking help. "The Promise" offers a thought-provoking and compassionate exploration of mental health and suicide prevention. The film aims to inspire empathy, understanding, and action, fostering a society that prioritizes mental well-being and supports individuals on their path to recovery. Sid's score highlights the intense and dramatic nature of this documentary, while maintaining subtlety and tenderness through emotional interviews and stories.
SFAAF AWARD WINNER: BEST ORIGINAL SCORE AFIN INT'L FILM FESTIVAL: BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
BEAT is an Australian feature film directed by Jye Currie, that explores themes of homelessness and affluence. The two protagonists are from different worlds, but share one heart. The soundtrack of BEAT includes contemporary classical piano concert performances as well as a deep, brooding and emotional soundtrack that reflects the harsh streets upon which the film takes place. The piano performances were written over two months during pre-production, in collaboration with award-winning French pianist Jean Tariech. The combination of Sid's raw and intimate piano technique with Jean's trained and majestic sound played well for the story of the film, representing the two characters and their different personalities and experiences. BEAT was featured on NBN News, Daily Telegraph and several other major news outlets. The film is available to stream on Stan Australia, and Prime Video and Apple TV in North America.
Marbles and Bullets is an American feature film set during the Civil War, and tells the story of a confederate soldier befriending a young African-American slave child. As the two learn more about each other, the Confederate soldier begins to question his own ideals and the point of his war. His actions from that moment are focus of his judgement. The soundtrack features a main motif that evolves throughout the film as the characters evolve. The melody is played by flute to represent the innocence of the child, and by brass to represent the sense of duty of the Confederate soldier. While incorporating a more contemporary style, the score features many instruments iconic to the Western style of the film.
ISA AWARD WINNER: BEST ORIGINAL SCORE ISA AWARD WINNER: BEST MYSTERY SHORT FILM FLORENCE FILM AWARDS: FINALIST
The creation of this film’s score began with the most important element, the story of the protagonist, Christopher. His dark and traumatic past shaped the brooding basslines and emotional string passages of the main theme which was complimented by intimacy invoked by delicate piano and electronic textures.
With the main theme conceptualized at the very beginning, it was a matter of developing and growing the melody over the course of the film whilst reflecting the revealing dreamscape in the film. As the film score progresses, the theme and instrumentation flows into a darker rendition of the original melody, reflecting a much more sinister plot.
FLORENCE FILM AWARDS: HONORABLE MENTION - ORIGINAL SCORE
FLORENCE FILM AWARDS: BEST SHORT FILM
“It’s a Bittersweet Life” is a short film that follows a protagonist through grief and bereavement. It was important in the developing of the score for Sid to understand the emotions that the protagonist was going through following the death of her husband. Along with a sense of loneliness and betrayal, protagonist Elle also finds a strength within herself to continue her life, to never lose hope and to make the most of time.
A female solo vocalist carries the main melody throughout the film, accompanied by piano and a chamber string section, highlighting nuances and details – making the score intimate and emotional. Towards the finale, the score changes dramatically as a wide and large string section takes over with a fast paced piano melody and electronic elements providing rhythm and interest.
Silent Waters is a short documentary about the oceans and their importance to humanity. Through the lens of a surfer, an Indigenous Australian and a marine scientist, we see how the ocean means something different to everyone. Regardless, we see its sheer importance and the dangers we unfold as damage to the environment continues through climate change.
The score for this documentary needed to possess an epic element and a constant theme, to represent the power of the oceans, but also a free-flowing and calming atmosphere just like the gentle tides and waves. While the main theme utilises a full scale orchestra and electronic elements, the calmer scenes base on a score of ambient pads and aquatic-inspired effected instruments to provide a flowing tone to the score.
Atlanta-based entrepreneurs receive business advice and identify new opportunities to sharpen their "game plan" from NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal and some of his successful celebrity friends.
Michelle Khare is known internationally as a YouTube content creator who takes it upon herself to achieve the impossible. Her documentaries follow her journey through some of the toughest occupational training programs in the world including the FBI, NASA and Victoria’s Secret.
In this video, Michelle enters a part of the NASA Astronaut training program. She experiences some of the most advanced space training exercises and develops an understanding for how great the feat of space travel really is.
Visual and interactive artist, Maya de Almeida Araujo, created an exhibition for Lisbon Aquarium regarding the connection between humanity and the oceans. "ONE" explores the need for conservation of our oceans. Sid's piece "NASA" closes the visual exhibition at the aquarium.
PIECES USED: "SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS" AND "NASA"
VIA ARTLIST
For the first time in history, the recruitment oath for the U.S. Army was delivered from a site not on Earth, by Andrew Morgan, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station.
During this ceremony, two of Sid Acharya’s pieces were played during the waiting time for the video chat to be initiated between Space Centre Houston, the location of the ceremony, and the I.S.S. orbiting the Earth. Sid's music continues to be played in the foyers and museum exhibits of Space Centre Houston.
