For the entire interview transcript, please click here.
Thomas Haines is an award-winning composer, sound designer, and creative entrepreneur whose work spans film, television, and immersive audio. Based in the UK, Thomas is known for blending emotion, experimentation, and storytelling through sound. He is the co-founder of BrainAud.io, a groundbreaking platform focused on spatial and generative audio experiences. Whether he’s scoring a cinematic trailer like Wolf King or exploring how the brain responds to sound, Thomas brings curiosity and authenticity to every project. His journey from teenage pub gigs in Cornwall to internationally recognized composer is a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and staying true to your voice.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Thomas opens up about the real-life experiences that shaped him as an artist, the challenges of creative feedback, and why being consistently curious and courageous is more important than being perfect. You’ll learn why “failing fast” isn’t a failure at all, how nerves can be a sign you’re on the right track, and why creating something daily builds the resilience and readiness you need for a lasting career in music.
Things Discussed: Thomas reflects on his early years performing in a band that turned cheesy TV theme songs into sleazy disco anthems — and how this offbeat project led to packed pubs, diverse audiences, and his first paid gigs. These moments taught him early that music’s power lies in its ability to connect, surprise, and move people in unexpected ways.
He shares the importance of just making music — not waiting for permission, not chasing perfection, but playing, experimenting, and showing up daily. Thomas talks about how he still channels the same curiosity and drive he had at 13 years old, and how that raw instinct, paired with daily discipline, helps him meet high-pressure deadlines in his professional scoring work.
Thomas also digs into the emotional rollercoaster of sharing music with collaborators and clients. He explains why nerves mean you care, and why embracing feedback — even when it stings — is part of developing creative intelligence. Rather than sticking to one “specialty,” Thomas encourages musicians to explore widely, discover how and when they work best, and build a life around that rhythm.
He reminds listeners that you can’t wait to be discovered or hired — you have to do the work first. Even if you fail or have to start over, that effort is what strengthens your creative muscles. In his words, “If you want to catch a fish, you actually have to go fishing.”
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