Episode 148: Exploring the Mind of Asif Illyas: From Classical Composer to Film Score Innovator

Mike and Kristen

In this episode, we dive into a fascinating conversation with Asif Illyas, a veteran of the Canadian music scene and an ECMA Award-winning composer and musician. Asif has additionally made a name for himself in the world of film and television scoring, blending his classically trained musicianship with intuitive, innovative approaches to composition. A true intellect, we explore the depths of his creative process, spanning across analytical techniques, emotional intuition, and the bridge between the worlds of music and technology.

Originally from Sri Lanka, Asif’s journey to Canada was sparked by his father’s academic pursuits at Dalhousie University, and now, Asif has firmly planted his roots on the East Coast of Canada. In this episode, he shares how his lived experiences shape his work and reflects on how music—especially film scores—has the power to deeply connect with people. We also dive into his personal projects, including his YouTube channel where he showcases some of his work, and of course, we couldn't resist talking about the fact that Asif is also a proud creator of his very own flight simulator (on display at the Nova Scotia Aviation Museum!)—because, well, why not?

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Intro song: "The Walk"
Outro song: "The Jam" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com

Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com

Kristen’s site: www.kristenherringtonart.com

Asif’s Website: http://asifillyas.com/

Asif’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/asif_illyas/