Jon Chau: The Maestro Behind the "Baby Shark’s Big Movie" Score

Sep 17

Jon Chau: Crafting Cinematic Emotions

In the enchanting world of film scores, there are composers whose melodies not only captivate audiences but also embed themselves into the fabric of popular culture. Today, we shine a spotlight on one such maestro, Jon Chau, whose recent work on the "Baby Shark Movie" has garnered widespread acclaim.

Meet Jon Chau

Hailing from a diverse musical background, Jon Chau is a composer renowned for his ability to craft evocative soundscapes that transport listeners to new realms of imagination. With a catalog ranging from majestic orchestral suites to infectious hip-hop beats and soothing lo-fi melodies, Jon's versatility knows no bounds.

The Baby Shark Phenomenon

Jon Chau's latest endeavor catapulted him into the spotlight with his score for the "Baby Shark Movie." As the beloved children's song evolved into a global phenomenon, Jon's music served as the perfect accompaniment, breathing life into the underwater adventure and capturing the hearts of audiences of all ages.

Representing Jon Chau's Artistry

At Rareform Audio, we are proud to represent Jon Chau and his vast catalog of music for licensing purposes. From heart-pounding symphonies to laid-back grooves, Jon's compositions offer a rich tapestry of sonic experiences, ready to enhance any creative project.

But beyond Jon Chau’s achievements lies a genuine love for narratives and self-expression. We recently had the chance to ask him some questions about his creative process, his aspirations for the future, and the power of his music to empower and inspire:

RA: Your journey began with storytelling in a small town in northern California. How do you think your upbringing influences the stories you tell through your music compositions today?

JC: Watching my favorite movies on repeat was a big part of my childhood. One of my favorites was “The Land Before Time,” and I loved it so much that my parents bought the soundtrack for me on vinyl. I’d listen to it obsessively and was fascinated by how I could be suddenly transported into scenes of the movie just from listening to the music, feeling the same emotions I experienced while watching it. I began to explore this when writing my own stories, sitting at the piano and imagining what it would sound like musically to build the world I had in my imagination. This shaped my love for cinematic music at an early age, along with my appreciation for how powerful it can be when accompanying an evocative story.

RA: As a self-taught producer, you learned to play every instrument within your grasp. Can you share a pivotal moment in your musical journey where you felt your skills as a musician truly flourished?

JC: I started taking my musicianship to a new level when YouTube was first created. I filmed myself performing covers and original songs as a singer-songwriter. and I’d upload them and suddenly develop an audience - it was a new world and really quite remarkable. This was during the early days of the platform when everyone was exploring and creating, nothing was monetized yet, and I look back at it fondly as an important part of my journey. Being able to receive instant feedback and learn what audiences responded to, and what was fulfilling for me, was invaluable. I owe a lot of where I am now to those early days as a content creator.

RA: Your music has been featured in various acclaimed television shows, films, and video games. Could you share a behind-the-scenes story from one of these projects that had a significant impact on you as a composer?

JC: Sure! A great memory that always comes to mind was when I had the opportunity to work on "10 Cloverfield Lane" under my early mentor and lead composer Bear McCreary. Bear wanted to create a score using unique sounds inspired by the film's setting, and he tasked me, along with a couple of other teammates, to conceptualize and bring this to life. We rented a giant warehouse in East LA and spent an entire night recording any sounds we could possibly create that might be useful. These included sounds like a forklift sliding across a metal railing, heavy industrial doors being opened by a chain, and pipes being slid across the floor, just to name a few. Finding the gems that were useful and inspiring took a lot of work, but eventually, we ended up with a collection of sample instruments that made their way into the score. This experience taught me so much about the value of drawing inspiration from the physical setting of a story.

RA: Collaborating with renowned artists like Zedd and 88 Rising must have been an exciting experience. How do you think these collaborations have shaped your artistic vision and approach to music production?

JC: More than anything, these incredible collaborations have taught me how masters of their craft at the highest level are able to implement their visions. Observing the way they communicate concepts that begin only in their imaginations, and the decisiveness required to bring them to life, is always such an educational experience.

RA: Composing the original score for Nickelodeon's Baby Shark's Big Movie is quite remarkable. What unique challenges did you face when creating music for such a beloved children's franchise, and how did you tackle them?

JC: The opportunity to compose the score for "Baby Shark’s Big Movie" was truly incredible. Creating a musical backdrop for a story from a franchise based on an extremely well-known song (the most-watched YouTube video of all time!) was a unique challenge in itself. Given its recognizability, I wanted to harness its familiarity while also presenting it in a fresh way that audiences hadn't heard before. The film, based on a TV show, takes place in a larger world than its viewers have ever seen, and I wanted to capture this in the score as well. My team and I recorded with a 60-player orchestra, and I reinterpreted different elements of the famous song in various new ways—sometimes larger than life, sometimes intimate and heartfelt. Figuring out how to do this in an exciting and effective way was an amazing experience, and I learned so much in the process.

RA: Can you share any insights or advice for aspiring composers and producers who are just starting their journey in the music industry?

JC: Never stop pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. If there’s a particular creative area that is intimidating to you, force yourself to create inside of it. Allow yourself to fail, then learn from those failures.

RA: Looking ahead, what creative projects or collaborations are you most excited about, and how do you envision your music evolving in the future?

JC: I have a handful of projects in the pipeline that I’m super excited about but can’t speak about yet! I can say that I’m looking forward to showcasing my versatility and showing different sides of my artistry that can help tell stories. You can follow me on my socials @iamjonchau to keep up with my work. I’m looking forward to sharing with all of you soon!

Celebrating Jon Chau: Composer of Diverse Musical Masterpieces

Jon Chau's journey as a composer exemplifies the power of music to transcend boundaries and capture the essence of storytelling. With his boundless creativity and unwavering dedication, Jon continues to inspire audiences and creators alike, leaving an enduring legacy in the realm of cinematic soundscapes.

Let’s Collaborate!

Need help building the tone for your production? Hit us up – the Rareform Audio team would love to help you create the perfect soundtrack that speaks to your audience and enhances the power of your visual storytelling to new heights!