Raffertie - The composer for The Substance 

Recently, we had the chance to catch up with composer and sound designer, Raffertie to talk about his journey and the creative process behind the hauntingly beautiful score for The Substance. After our recent collaboration with mubiuk to celebrate the launch of The Substance, it felt like the perfect moment to dive deeper into the music that amplifies the tension and thrill of the film. SCRT has been a friend and fan of Raffertie for years, he’s always been a sound genius in our eyes. We were hooked on The Substance from our first watch, and Raffertie’s score perfectly captures its essence. We’re excited to share our connection to both the film and the unforgettable soundtrack. 

Hey Raffertie, can you tell us a bit more about yourself/ how you started making music?

I’ve played music since I was about 5 or 6 years old, but began to think about it more seriously as a teenager. Similar to most I imagine I had aspirations of being in a band but that never worked so more out of the necessity of needing to make something, rather than a particular desire to do it by myself, I began making my own music. 

Anything in particular that drew you to working with/making music? 

Through encouragement of a few good teachers, friends and family, I decided to go to music college. Again I was lucky to have really good teachers there who introduced me to new ideas and approaches to music. At that point I had no idea whether I would be able to have a career in music but the more I worked with and studied music the less it felt like I could do anything else.

Was there a moment you felt like you had broken into the industry?

There are some practical milestones - when I could say I can pay my bills working only in music I felt like I had become, on some level, a professional working in the industry because I wasn't splitting my time doing anything else to make ends meet.

But I suppose you’re working in the industry as soon as someone takes a chance and hires you score their project, for me that happened when I met director Paul Andrew Williams. We’ve worked together on a few projects, the last was a feature called ‘Bull’ and we are currently finishing his new film.

What made you decide to move into music for film?

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and at the point I got into it, it felt like a natural progression.

What is it you enjoy about film as a medium?

I am excited by every scoring job I get hired for. It’s a fascinating puzzle creating a score for a film, some come together very succinctly, some take time to revel themselves, but a moment happens where the music and picture start to work in concert and I find I stop listening so much as I am feeling what is happening musically and visually. That’s what I enjoy most about the medium, as both a composer and as an audience member, when a film through a combination of all it’s elements transcend and allow you to do nothing but feel what is happening on screen. It’s moving, it’s exciting, at it’s best it gives us an insight into what it is to be human.

Favourite film?

An impossible question. I’m going to give you my favourite film of 2023 (besides The Substance of course!): Hoard, written and directed by Luna Carmoon. 

Thanks Raffertie!

📸: @_ambapittardwatt