What happens when you stop writing what’s expected—and start composing like yourself? In this episode, Tim Corpus shares what it means to develop a creative voice you can actually recognize in your own work. We talk about what makes a temp track helpful (and when it’s not), taking creative swings in client work, and how years of writing for others led Tim back to the sound that felt most honest.

Tim is a Filipino-American composer and arts manager whose work spans concert music, film, and interactive media. He’s had performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Bolshoi Theatre, and MoMA, with features on BBC Radio 3, CNN Money, and WFMT. His 2022 GRAMMY-selected album MMXX earned critical acclaim, and his scores have been heard in over 25 films and episodic projects. He currently serves as Executive Director of the 2025 Ear Taxi Festival and the Hyde Park Youth Symphony, and co-leads the Chicago Media Composers & Lyricists collective. Known for his rhythmic instinct and interdisciplinary mindset, Tim brings both heart and rigor to his ever-expanding body of work.

We chat about:
→ Taking big swings instead of writing safe
→ Knowing when a project isn’t really yours
→ Using constraint to fuel invention
→ Letting go of the illusion of perfect
→ Writing for yourself even when no one’s asking

Check out more of Tim’s work at timcorpus.net, follow him on Instagram at @timcorpus, and find his music on YouTube.

You can follow us on Instagram and TikTok @mischiefpod. Produced by @ohhmaybemedia.