Creative director, composer and multi-instrumentalist Zac Colwell has joined Sonic Union. He has worked extensively in advertising for nearly a decade, collaborating with brands including Samsung, Lexus and Coke.
Prior to joining Sonic Union as a creative director, Colwell collaborated on a few projects with the studio. “The team at Sonic Union is exemplary in that the partners are also creatives, actively working with clients, which has created a very distinctive culture,” he reflected. “There’s a palpable feeling of camaraderie, support, and exploration which is really energizing and I am looking forward to taking this next step together.”
In addition to his extensive experience in branded work, Colwell leads his own band–Fancy Colors–and is also a founding member of Voyager Collective, Jupiter One, CHAPPO, and The Silver Clouds. He has played and recorded with Big Data, of Montreal, Innov Gnawa, Sondre Lerche, Kishi Bashi, Animal Feelings, Lucius, Pat Van Dyke, Against ME!, Bleachers and many others, singing and performing on saxophone, flute, drums, guitar, bass and keyboards. Colwell has also produced albums for a variety of independent artists. He continues to write and produce his own music; The most recent track “Barton Springs,” a nod to his hometown Austin, Texas, was released in March.
Colwell grew up in a musical family in a town renowned for attracting and nurturing musicians of all kinds. As a child, he studied jazz before turning to indie rock and becoming a songwriter. Like the fodder of fiction legend, he joined the circus at 19 and traveled the country. As a touring musician, he saw the world–or at least venues and crowds–before moving to New York where he now lives. He discovered the sonic realm of advertising and joined Nylon as a creative director in 2015 where he originally met Halle Petro, now Sonic Union’s executive creative director. Colwell then worked at Squeak E. Clean Studios before reuniting with Petro at Sonic Union.
“I am so thrilled to have Zac, my longtime friend and colleague, join our Sonic Union family,” noted Petro. “He is one of the most prolific musicians I have ever worked with, and it’s been a longtime goal to bring him here to enhance our music and creative offerings. Zac’s unique perspective will support our clients as they aim to tackle evolving creative in sound.”
Colwell said he enjoys the variety of experiences that come with being a music creative director and composer, where no brief is the same and there’s always something new to appreciate. He also noted that this is an exceptional time for music-based collaborations as people have increased exposure to music from around the world. This translates into new music that can take risks and be nuanced, he said, while deeply resonating with audiences.
