Daniel Malone - Composer and Percussionist

Daniel is a composer and professional percussionist based in Manchester and a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Daniel's musical journey has been shaped by a deep love for both performance and composition. As a percussionist, he has performed at prestigious venues such as the Bridgewater Hall, where he honed his craft and developed a keen understanding of the nuances of orchestral and chamber music.

Daniel’s passion for composition blossomed from his lifelong admiration of film and game music, which fused some of his greatest interests. Inspired by the cinematic scores of Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, Jeremy Soule, and Jason Graves, Daniel began to explore composition as a way to translate the emotional depth of storytelling through music. His compositional style is heavily influenced by the epic, orchestral sounds of film and video game scores, yet he brings a unique perspective rooted in his percussion background.

A particularly transformative experience for Daniel was participating in a composition course led by renowned game composer Jason Graves, whose work on games like Tomb Raider, Dead Space and Moss has been a major inspiration. This experience not only refined Daniel’s compositional skills but also deepened his understanding of the intersection between music and interactive media.

Daniel’s portfolio includes a range of compositions across various styles, from sweeping orchestral pieces to electronic-driven cues. One notable work is his three-minute short score for Hollow Knight gameplay, which showcases his ability to capture the atmosphere and emotion of a game’s world while highlighting his versatility as a composer.

As a freelancer, Daniel continues to explore new projects and collaborations, with a particular focus on composing for video games. His passion for both performance and composition drives him to create dynamic, emotionally resonant scores that enhance storytelling across different mediums.