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Zack Hemsey
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Zack Hemsey was born in 1983, grew up in New Jersey and studied music and philosophy at Rutgers University. He began as a composer and one of the five lyricists of the little-known hip hop group Nine Leaves. In 2010 he began his solo career with the album Empty Room, and since then he has released his music independently. Later came, among others, The Way in 2011, Ronin in 2013, Nomad in 2016 and Goliath in 2018, a soundtrack to a film that does not exist.
Music and breakthrough
His music combines elements of alternative hip hop, alternative rock, classical orchestra and world music instruments. He became known mainly through films and trailers. Mind Heist from 2010 is heard in the trailer for Inception and in the game Madden NFL 12. Music by him can also be heard in trailers for The Town, Lincoln and 2 Guns. His song Vengeance played a large part in the film The Equalizer and in trailers for Game of Thrones and 24: Live Another Day. In 2020 he made his debut as a director with the documentary BIRTH.
Influence
Hemsey shows how an independent musician without a record company can play a role in the world of the film trailer, a form of music in its own right that leans heavily on tension and build-up. His bombastic, dramatic style has been decisive for much of the music used in trailers.
Listening
Mind Heist · Zack Hemsey, 2010
Discography
Studio albums
- 2010Empty Room
- 2011The Candidate (soundtrack)
- 2011The Way
- 2011The Way (soundtrack)
- 2013Ronin (soundtrack)
- 2016Nomad (soundtrack)
- 2018GOLIATH: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to a Film That Doesn’t Exist
In School of Rock
The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.
- The Dream Factory: Film Reel 7NL Reader
Mentioned in other articles
- Trailer music and epic music Genre
Zack Hemsey wrote ‘Mind Heist’ for the third Inception trailer.