Taking Pause

Taking Pause

In music theory, the comma functions much like the comma of the written word.  Although it may not separate a list of items, it does, however, point to a brief break or interval.  That said it seems only natural to ‘take pause’ and focus on a commercial music house making headway in the Midwest – namely Comma, and their lyrical roster of talent.

Founded in 2001 by Larry Pecorella and Bryan Rheude, the company structure today is built around four award-winning composers working out of their main studio in Chicago and a production studio in Santa Monica.  Since its inception, Comma’s core format has been music for advertising, but as new media continues to gain prominence, the company is on the forefront – working on web-films along with an increased film and television presence.  Says music veteran Pecorella: “For us, composing is our passion and simply put, why we stay in it.  Because we’re constantly doing something different on a daily basis, it’s impossible to get pigeonholed.”  Armed with an impressive range of stylistic expertise, the Comma team continually produces intelligent and diverse options.  “If there is a frustrating part of the business,” states Rheude, “it’s getting pulled away from writing the music to run the company.  We’re composers at heart.”

Besides composers Pecorella and Rheude, there are two others on their musical roster, namely Justin Hori and Pete Schmidt.  Between the four, their vast range of harmonious proficiency abounds – whether gearing up with the symphony or manipulating the turntable.  Natural and passionate at work, they are equally fervent in their outside musical projects; Pecorella and his Brass Knuckles big band; Schmidt and the band Red T-Shirt Contest; Hori and his DJ collective Bento Entertainment and his band Jarvis.  “Those outside interests,” says Rheude, “are what keep our work sounding fresh and ever-evolving.”

Pointing directly to their musical aptitude is the evolution of what’s happening in-house.  With composing being much more than a jingle here and a chorus there, Comma’s troupe is offering clientele complete compositions in any particular genre.  “In terms of exploring our musical depth,” says Pecorella, “we are presenting our clients with original comprehensive songs written for their product and in their choice of genre.  In a way, it can be described as ‘reversed engineering.’  Instead of utilizing an existing song, we’re able to create a new voice by people who do this for a living -- and then tailor it precisely to the needs of the client.” 

It is exactly this approach that keeps Comma ahead of the composing curve and able to not only think inside the box, but outside of it as well.  With projects coming in the door at a steady rate, the company has its eye on even further expansion.  Already collaborative with sister-company Particle, a sound design and post audio finishing house, and music licensing company Fix, Comma has aims on national growth.  “It no longer matters where you’re located,” says Rheude.  “We may be headquartered in the Midwest, but that doesn’t mean we’re any less talented than any other company out there, in any part of the world.  Technology now can take us everywhere.”   

Although the music may change, the processes towards the end result continue to offer learning opportunities, both personally and professionally.  “For me,” says Rheude, “it’s learning how to have an ego-less approach to the work.  Perhaps you’re exploring a new direction – a long shot so to speak – and it gets rejected.  It’s the process of working past that rejection the next day and moving onto a new project.  The process is always fun – it's learning how to let go emotionally.”  Pecorella agrees and elaborates: “As a musician and a composer, you’re constantly learning and re-learning your craft.  In addition to this, with the new applications, technology demands that you constantly reinvent yourself.”

And reinvent themselves they do.  With a reel sporting such current clients as Altoids, Jeep, McDonald’s, Nintendo, Buick, Dodge, and Kellogg’s, the creative group has their hands in longer formats as well. “We would love to do more features and more television,” says Percorella, “and we recently put the finishing touches on a Major League Baseball mini-series for Mojo.”  Now with business firing on all cylinders, it is understandable that the two musical veterans have one wish.  “We get paid to put up with the difficulties and logistics of running a business,” muses Rheude.  “And now that Particle and Fix are off the ground, the truth is we just want to write.  That’s what comes naturally for us.”      

“That’s true,” finishes Pecorella.  After 25 years in the business the writing never gets old.  In fact, when I approach what I do from that standpoint, I can’t believe I still don’t have a real job.”