About
Grammy Award nominated LA-based composer David Joseph Wesley is one of the most prolific composers working in film, TV, and video games today. You may have recently heard his music on several network TV, cable and Netflix series such as “James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction,” “Chicago Fire," "Veep,” “Saturday Night Live,” “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “Santa Clarita Diet,” and "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” as well as many trailers and commercials including “Toy Story 4,” “Incredibles 2,” “Hotel Transylvania,” “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” and “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.” Dave was also fortunate to work with composer Ron Jones on the music for several seasons of "Family Guy,” which also enabled him to work with the largest live orchestra in television history. One of his favorite projects, which unfortunately was never fully realized, was his work on the music for "Firefly Online,” the video game based on Fox's groundbreaking “Firefly” TV series. However, in a tribute to the fans and to keep the Firefly spirit alive, he released the music from the game via the album "Music To Smuggle By" in 2018.
Dave finds inspiration for his music everywhere. An avid astronomer, his love of space led to two albums, several singles and multiple YouTube jam sessions about the cosmos and space-phenomena. In 2019, he released the album, “Cassini,” as a tribute to the NASA Cassini mission to Saturn, written entirely on the Prophet 6 synthesizer. And in 2017, in collaboration with NASA, Dave wrote an album for the solar eclipse titled "Syzygy,” also created entirely on the Prophet 6. Similarly, his obsession with synthesizers and the 80s naturally led to his “Pumpkin Patches” albums of synth-based music inspired by 70s and 80s horror as well as synthwave music released under the name “Parsec.”
Dave's passion for music began as soon as it first reached his ears. As a young boy, with his parents' piano situated next to the TV, he began to play along with all of his favorite films and TV shows. “Star Wars,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Superman,” “Back to the Future” and “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” were just some of the great films that ignited that spark in him. The music from these films stirred something deep inside Dave and fueled his imagination.
Dave started with the piano and added trombone, bass guitar, guitar, upright bass, vocals, drums, and many other instruments throughout elementary school, high school, and college. His thirst for knowledge continues now and he never stops picking up and learning new instruments.
Performing for thousands of people all across the country, Dave has sung and played in numerous groups. From large orchestras in concert halls, to punk, ska, rock, pop and metal bands in dive bars, to bluegrass at tractor pulls, and jazz and blues in nightclubs, he's always exploring the wide range of genres he loves.
Born with a rare genetic eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, Dave's hearing has been greatly enhanced in a way that allows him to hear deeper levels of detail in music than a person with normal vision is able to hear. The condition causes some vision loss but still allows Dave to see the films, TV series, and video games that he immerses himself in as a fan and a composer. Dave considers his disability to be an enhancement to his life in many ways. The gift of being able to hear music in such rich detail is priceless to him. Scott Healy of Conan O'Brien's Basic Cable Band noticed Dave's extra ability and hired him to produce his big band albums. Scott calls him, “Best ears in the business.” Their collaboration earned a Grammy Award nomination for Scott's most recent album, “Hudson City Suite.”
Dave moved to Los Angeles two weeks after graduating from the renowned University of Illinois School of Music with a degree in Music Composition and Film Studies. He took all of the film courses on top of his music studies in order to be able to think like a film and TV director. He believes that being able to step into a director's shoes and getting their perspective is the key to fulfilling the musical vision for their projects.
Above all, Dave is thrilled, grateful, and humbled to be a part of the collaboration between film, TV, video games, and music that has brought so much joy to his life and the lives of others.
Credits
TV Series
"Seth Rogan's Hilarity for Charity" (2018)
"James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction" (2018)
"Chelsea" (2016-2017)
"Decker" (2016-2017)
"Neon Joe, Werewolf Hunter" (2017)
"Santa Clarita Diet" (2017)
"Off The Air" (2017)
"A Series of Unfortunate Events" (2017)
"Chicago Fire" (2017)
"Limitless" (2016)
"Full Frontal with Samantha Bee" (2016-current)
"Veep" (2016)
"Family Guy" (2012-2014)
"WWII in HD" (2009)
"Hunting the Lost Symbol" (2009)
"American Idol" (2009-2010)
"So You Think You Can Dance?" (2009)
"Osbournes: Reloaded" (2009)
"Saturday Night Live: Christopher Walken" (2008), Season 33, Ep. 9: 'Googly Eyes Gardener'
"IZ.com" (1999-2000)
Video Games
"Firefly Online" (unreleased)
"MechRunner" (2015) PS4, Vita, PC, Mac
"The Saboteur" (2009) Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Filmography
"Christmas Inheritance" (2017)
"The Exorcism" (2013)
"Upaj: Improvise" (2013)
"The Making of ParaNorman" (2012)
"Take Care" (2012)
"Lovelock, CA" (2011)
"15:2" (2010)
"Carbone: Breaking Point" (2010)
"Carbone's Birthday" (2009)
"Firemount" (2009)
"The Break Up" (2008)
"Counter Intuitive" (2006)
"Prozak" (2006)
"Vanished Acres" (2006)
"Lecon de la Langue" (2004)
"Scorched" (2003)
"Yellow Fever" (2003)
"The Long Road To Paradise" (2002)
"One Night On Earth" (2000)
Trailers / Promos
"The War with Grandpa" (2020)
"Toy Story 4" (2019)
"Angry Birds 2" (2019)
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" (2017)
"Quake: Champions" (2017), video game trailer
"I, Tonya" (2017)
"The Mountain Between Us" (2017)
"Captain Underpants" (2017)
"Storks" (2016)
"Ridiculous Six" (2015)
"Batman vs. Robin" (2015)
"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water" (2015)
"Spare Parts" (2015)
"Dolphin Tale 2" (2014)
"Blended" (2014)
"Ender's Game" (2013)
"Frankenweenie" (2012)
"Dark Shadows" (2012)
"Rise of the Guardians" (2012)
"Hotel Transylvania" (2012)
"Kingdoms of Amalur" (2012)
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (2011)
"Water for Elephants" (2011)
"Dinner for Schmucks" (2010)
"Robin Hood" (2010)
"Glee" (2010)
"Cheri" (2009)
"Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" (2009), video game trailer
"Red Faction: Guerilla" (2009), video game trailer
"Rabbids: Go Home" (2009), video game trailer
"Fringe" (2009)
"House" (2009)
"How I Met Your Mother" (2009)
"Sunshine Cleaning" (2008)
"Swing Vote" (2008)
"Meet the Spartans" (2008)
"The Simpsons" (2008)
Commercials
Toyota Tercel (2020)
Capri Sun (2020)
Incredibles 2 (2018)
Miracle Grow (2017-2018)
Sketchers "Relaxed Fit" campaign (2013-2015)
Petco (2014)
"Call of Duty: Ghosts" (2013)
Volkswagen "Toss" (2013)
Mercedes "Summer Event" campaign (2011-2013)
Lego Lord of the Rings Video Game (2012)
Ciroc Vodka (2010)
McDonalds (2010)
American Airlines (2010)
Jimmy Dean (2010)
am pm (2010)
JCPenny (2009)
Madden NFL 09 (2008)
Cold-EEZE (2008)
Juicy Juice (2008)
Verizon radio spots (2007)
Brother PTouch Labeler (2006)
Saddle Up LA PSAs (2006)
Gevalia Coffee Makers (2006)
Fantastic Sams (2005)
Albums and Singles
"Pumpkin Patches V: The Synthening" (2020)
"Super Powered Smash Masters!" (2020)
"Thermopolis" (2020)
"Apparition (Music for Comet NEOWISE)" (2020)
"Pumpkin Patches IV: The Return of Knobs and Wires" (2019)
"September Heat" as Parsec (2019)
"Cassini" (2019)
"Powehi: Dark Source of Unending Creation" (2019)
"Number 0005 is Alive" as Parsec (2019)
"Winter Skies" (2019)
"Midwinter" (2018)
"Martian Signals: InSight's Journey" as Parsec (2018)
"Pumpkin Patches III: Season of the Switch" (2018)
"Stargazing with Dad" (2018)
"Explorers (Theme from Astronomy Cast)" (2018)
"Heart of Summer" as Parsec (2018)
"Music to Smuggle By (Original Video Game Soundtrack)" (2018)
"Pumpkin Patches II: Prophet of Darkness" (2017)
"Syzygy (Music for the 2017 Solar Eclipse)" (2017)
"Press Fire to Begin" as Parsec (2017)
"Pumpkin Patches" (2016)
"Mech Runner" (2015)
Other
Walmart Interactive Halloween Experience (2020)
"Paul Blart: Mall Cop” (2009), radio promo
"Aquafina 2006 New Year’s Resolutions on Film” (2006), Internet short film
"Storms” (2006), suite for marching band
