About.

Steven M. Schwartz is originally from New Jersey, USA. His journey began as the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the metal band The Things They Carried, which he founded after moving to New York City. Over more than a decade, the band toured across the United States and signed a record deal, shaping Steven’s foundation as a dynamic and expressive musician, with a deep passion for storytelling through music.

As his musical interests evolved, Steven transitioned into orchestral composition, beginning with a contemporary ballet performed by dancers from Portland Ballet in Maine. This experience reignited his lifelong love for film music and ultimately led him to Los Angeles, where he completed UCLA’s Film Scoring program. Since then, he has composed for short films, trailers, and feature-length projects, developing a versatile portfolio across genres and formats.

His debut feature film score for For Maria Ebun Pataki was nominated for Achievement in Soundtrack at the 2020 Africa Movie Academy Awards and premiered on Netflix in 2022 to critical acclaim.

Steven’s work draws influence from both modern film composers—such as Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Max Richter, and John Williams—and classical legends including Beethoven, Mahler, and Dvořák. Whether working with a full orchestra or a single piano, his focus remains on crafting emotionally rich music that enhances the heart of a story.