Following Sound, Not a Plan — Ian Boddy on Creativity and Longevity

I talk with composer and sound designer Ian Boddy about curiosity, sound, and building a creative life without a roadmap.

We cover how Ian moved from studying biochemistry to discovering analogue synthesis by accident, teaching himself through experimentation, and falling in love with sound as art rather than rules or theory. We also talk about working jobs you don’t love, protecting your creative energy, finding your own tribe, and why solitude and patience matter more than visibility.

Ian shares practical insight into sound design, library music, and how writing hundreds of small pieces over time quietly became the foundation of his career. This is a grounded conversation about sticking with what fascinates you—and letting the long game do its work.

IAN BODDY LINKS:

Website: https://ianboddy.com/

DiN Records Bandcamp: https://dinrecords.bandcamp.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/theianboddy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theianboddy/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theianboddy

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/ianboddy.bsky.social

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Introduction and life in Northeast England

(00:06:30) Childhood, family background, and early creativity

(00:13:30) Lego, imagination, and thinking in systems

(00:20:30) Discovering sound, synthesizers, and Spectro Arts

(00:29:30) First concerts, albums, and creative obsession

(00:38:30) Working life vs artistic life

(00:46:00) Akai, technology, and entering the music industry

(00:58:00) Sound design, sampling, and early libraries

(01:12:00) Library music and sustainable creative careers

(01:28:00) Technology shifts and changing tools

(01:43:00) Creativity, aging, and long-term perspective

(01:58:00) Advice for artists and industry realities

(02:13:00) Meaning, fulfillment, and artistic philosophy

(02:32:00) Reflections, lessons learned, and closing thoughts