Episode #128: Will and Benji & BBC Dynasties

Photo Credit BBC Greg Hartman

Photo Credit BBC Greg Hartman

Acclaimed multi-disciplinary music masters in their own right, Benji Merrison and Will Slater are now creating sounds for the screen together, calling upon their collective experience from a music and arts education, work producing and touring records, as well as composing for film and television. Both from the Midlands, UK, their paths first aligned when they were commissioned as a duo to score the popular BBC David Attenborough series Dynasties in 2018, for which they received nominations from the IFMCA and News and Documentary Emmys.

In December 2020, global audiences were charmed by Meerkat: A Dynasties Special, the spectacular opening episode of series two. Playing ‘the puppeteers of people’s emotions’, Benji and Will carved out their own palette of sounds for the score, with the full OST album released February 26 on Silva Screen Records. Crafting their character as composers and defining a musical language that enhances the viewing experience, the combination of stunning visuals and music makes for a wild multi-sensory adventure.

I talked about all of this and more with Will and Benji in a really fun international conversation.

Tracklist (all tracks from Meerkat: A Dynasties Special)

Benji Merrison and Will Slater, "A New Hope"

Benji Merrison and Will Slater, "The Next Morning"

Benji Merrison and Will Slater, "Future of the Family"

Benji Merrison and Will Slater, "One Last Challenge"