Crossing Borders with Sound:
W Korea Interviews Composer Gregory Tan
07 August 2025
Earlier this summer, our W Korea team had the pleasure of traveling to Singapore, where we met with rising music composer and audio engineer Gregory Tan. Known for his emotionally driven cinematic sound and versatile approach to music production.
What began as a casual coffee chat quickly turned into a broader discussion about the creative landscapes of Singapore and South Korea — how both regions are growing rapidly in global visibility, and how artists like Gregory are forging new connections between sound, story, and industry. We followed up with a formal 10 question interview that dives deeper into Gregory’s process, challenges, inspirations, and what lies ahead.
Gregory Tan In Busan For a Talk at a Music Seminar
1. When starting a new piece, what usually comes first — emotion, structure, or sound?
Gregory shares that although his final goal is always to evoke a specific emotional experience, the way he gets there is far more technical and layered. He often begins by shaping the sound palette, making intentional production and instrument choices that set the tone of the track.
“Emotion is the goal, but I reverse-engineer it. I use sounds and production choices to craft that feeling. The structure can be flexible and adapted later, but sound is the real tool that shapes how people feel."
This reflects a more cinematic, sensory-first approach where the mood dictates the form, rather than being bound by a rigid compositional framework.
2. Do you compose more instinctively, or do you follow a calculated process?
When composing for himself, Gregory allows instinct to lead, exploring ideas freely, without pressure. But when working with clients, he adopts a more structured, problem-solving mindset.
“For personal projects, it’s usually all instinct. I go where the sound takes me. But for clients, I become more analytical. I’m thinking in terms of what they want, how to meet expectations, and how to solve creative challenges.”
This balance between intuition and structure allows him to move fluidly across creative and commercial spaces.
3. As both a composer and a mixing engineer, how do you know when a track is finished?
Perfection, Gregory says, is a moving target and chasing it too long can actually stall momentum. Instead, he compares his tracks to professionally released references to evaluate whether they’re “industry-ready.”
“I used to obsess over every detail, but now I focus on whether the track holds up against what’s already out there. If it can stand next to other high-quality tracks, then I’m confident in releasing it. There’s a saying ‘done is better than perfect’ and I’ve come to really believe that.”
As someone who handles both composition and engineering, Gregory has learned to let go at the right moment, recognizing when further tweaking won’t add value.
4. How do you create musical tension and release when you don’t have visuals to guide pacing?
In visual scoring, the imagery often dictates timing. But for standalone tracks like trailer cues or library music, Gregory relies heavily on arrangement, dynamics, and listener psychology.
“It’s all about contrast and journey. When should the bass enter? When should the drums build? Do elements come in suddenly or gradually? These are the things I ask myself.”
He emphasizes the importance of putting yourself in the listener’s shoes, imagining their expectations, their attention span, and what emotional arc they’re experiencing through sound alone. Every detail in his arrangement is there to guide the listener through a narrative without words or pictures.
5. With so many composers blending orchestral and electronic sounds today, how do you strike your balance?
Gregory approaches this hybrid style with a practical ear and a strong foundation in sound design and library knowledge.
“If I’m working off a client brief, I’ll study references and make sure I’m matching their tone. But if I have free rein, I just go with what works — which often comes down to knowing your sounds really well.”
To him, musicality isn't just about harmony or melody. It's about choosing textures that complement and contrast each other, whether acoustic or synthetic.
6. What’s the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn — creatively or professionally?
Without hesitation, Gregory speaks to the vulnerability of being a freelance creative in a competitive industry. One of the toughest but most necessary lessons was learning to protect his rights and boundaries.
“It’s easy to get taken advantage of when you're starting out. You have to know your value, your rights, and not take rejection or difficult situations too personally.”
He also emphasizes the power of community — finding other artists who understand the same struggles and can offer support.
“Having like-minded people around you makes a huge difference. You don’t feel like you’re navigating it all alone.”
7. Have you ever considered walking away from composing? What brought you back?
Gregory is candid about the self-doubt that often comes with creative work, especially early on. The idea of returning to a more stable or traditional career path lingered in the background at times.
“There were definitely moments where I thought maybe I should do something more stable. But in the end, the fun of creating music and seeing my career grow step by step, and that gave me the confidence to stick with it.”
That growth, no matter how slow, became proof that he was on the right path.
8. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? Will you still be composing?
Gregory’s answer is a thoughtful mix of certainty and curiosity. He’s confident that music will still be central to his career, but he also sees himself evolving into new roles.
“I think I’ll definitely still be composing. But I’d also like to take on more of a leadership role. Maybe as a music consultant, or even running my own music company one day. I’d love to grow my network and explore different sides of the industry.”
His long-term vision includes not just creating sound, but shaping the business and culture around it.
9. Is there a dream project you’re still hoping to land before your next chapter begins?
“Definitely something with Marvel”
While he’s proud of what he’s already achieved, Gregory still has one dream gig he’s chasing. Beyond that, he’s interested in expanding his work into pop music, where he can fuse his cinematic instincts with modern trends and vocal-led formats.
Gregory laughs.
“It’s been a dream for a while now.”
10. If no one was watching or listening, what kind of music would you create just for yourself?
Without hesitation, Gregory says he’d dive into something genre-blending and experimental — a mix of cinematic, pop, classical, and even rock.
“I think I’d make cinematic pop. Something that merges my epic orchestral background with catchy hooks and maybe a bit of rock energy. It’d be kind of a Frankenstein of all my influences, and I’d love to make it just for fun someday.”
It’s a reminder that even within the polished world of commercial music, the heart of an artist still beats for curiosity and play.
Explore More of His Work
You can listen to Gregory’s latest work and learn more about his creative journey at gregtanmusic.net. We also recommend checking out visual campaigns that have featured his compositions, such as:
Notable Projects Featuring Gregory Tan
Final Thoughts
Meeting Gregory Tan in Singapore was more than just a conversation. It highlighted how creativity transcends borders, forging connections across sound, culture, and industry.
In W Korea, we’re deeply invested in the international entertainment landscape. Our global projects such as the recent NOMAD event in New Delhi, where we brought NOMAD to meet fans in India for the first time to demonstrate how we're driving cultural exchange and creative collaboration across continents.
This interview with Gregory is just one chapter in our broader story that focuses on spotlighting visionary artists, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and crafting experiences that resonate. To explore more of our global partnerships, standout events, and creative initiatives, please check out W Korea’s official platform.
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