Aaron Gilhuis on Composing the Emotional Soundtrack for Apple TV+’s Life By Ella

PH: What was your initial reaction or inspiration upon reading the script or discussing the concept of "Me"?

Aaron Gilhuis: I was really drawn to Ben’s emotional state when he first starts telling his story. New family, house, school, then suddenly new powers, right at a pivotal time in middle school. The show is extremely emotionally centered, and I think finding the sound of this world and these characters is my starting point. Even before specific melodies or themes. Finding our palette, and instruments, and the feel of the show is always paramount for me. So that's what really inspired me initially. 

PH: Could you describe the overarching musical theme or motifs you developed for "Me," and how they support the storytelling?

Aaron Gilhuis: We had a variety of themes that evolved over the course of the show. We started with Ben’s theme where you can hear in its simplest form in the man titles. We really hear it evolve over time starting very unsure, very self conscious, growing as he discovers himself, and his grows into this new life, and new abilities, to a strong self assured person who knows who he is and who he wants to be. Its a beautiful moment in episode 9 when we see this come to fruition. 

Carters theme also takes us on  a journey. We first hear it in a very mysterious way when she’s first introduced. This new character who seems to cryptically hold some answers. It continues blending with the Storm theme, as their paths are continually intertwined. We hear it in a heartbreaking way when we see her family struggles, experiencing heartbreaking loss. And it takes us all the way to episode 10 in the final moments, with some redemption and intrigue in those final moments of the season. I loved writing for Carter, and am very proud of her musical journey this season. 

PH: Were there any specific challenges or unique opportunities you encountered while composing for this series?

Aaron Gilhuis: The show is very unique in its genre, being very cinematically and emotionally grounded, while also exploring this very big world of people with abilities. So we really wanted to craft something unique in the music. Really define our world, our way. So I think really finding the bounds of that sound, and not straying too far in either direction was the main struggle. But once we felt confident in our sound, we really rolled with it.

PH: In what ways did you collaborate with the director and other creatives to ensure your music enhanced the narrative and character development?

Aaron Gilhuis: It was a very collaborative process. Barry Levy, and Michael Dowse were very involved as they knew how important music would be for this show. As a Composer I really appreciate that, as sometimes music can be an afterthought, but music was so important to them from the beginning. Finding Ben’s theme was super important for all of us, and we really worked hard together to get it just right. Barry knows this world and its characters inside and out so we really made sure what we were writing was supporting these characters' journeys from start to finish. Each episode saw these characters evolve and change, and we really wanted the music to support them through it. 

PH: Did you draw from any particular musical influences or styles for "Me"? If so, how did these influence your composition?

Aaron Gilhuis: ME’s score is very atmospheric, and ambient in its character study, and gets massive and hard-hitting in its action sequences. It's a great mix of pulsing synth arpeggios, ambient pads, electric guitar, and orchestra. These ambient synth leads we hear are somewhere between 7-15 synth patches layered and mixed in a deep experimental phase early on, and lots of analog synth goodness in pulsing rhymes and ostinatos. So while I can’t point to a specific influence, it draws from my wide history in the indie/alt-music scene.

PH: Can you highlight a scene or moment in "Me" where you felt particularly proud of the musical accompaniment and explain why?

Aaron Gilhuis: Episode 8 is probably my favorite episode. Its the most hard-hitting emotionally. Some of these cues were the first I had written for the show. These scenes with Carter and her mom are some that I’m very proud of. Also, in episode 10, so many of the themes we first introduced early on are finally paying off in their big full versions here, and that was so gratifying. We went so big in those climactic moments, and so intimate in these character moments. It was just such a blast writing that episode. 

PH: How does your approach to composing for a series like "Me" differ from your approach to other projects you've worked on?

Aaron Gilhuis: I wouldn't say scoring ME I differ in my approach from other projects. I always spend quite a bit of time experimenting, with my instrument collection and outboard synths, and just play around with sounds, building templates and atmospheres, putting ideas to pictures, and seeing what sticks. It is quite a process that always pays off. Once we define the world, we are off to the races. Same process with ME. Where it differs is the sound itself. Nothing else will sound like this. I have the ME template that I don’t use with any other project. Every project gets its vibe, sound, template, etc. And that's the fun of it!