This A-Profiler we bring you Woody Pak, a Jack-of-All-Trades in the music industry. Composer, musician, producer, Pak takes inspiration from Elvis Presley and adopts new sounds in his own works. Find out what Woody does to relax when not working with music and find out which two Galaxy Quest quotes he draws encouragement.

Your site URL:
http://www.myspace.com/woodypakmusic

What is your ethnic background?
Korean

At what age did the music bug hit you? When did you know that music was your calling?
I was 7 when Elvis Presley died (the King of Rock). The world was reeling in the wake and I was exposed to his early works which shook my being. I wanted to be a rock star slinging a guitar! After failed attempts to teach by my parents to have me play violin and piano, I chose the guitar, resolving to be a rock and roll legend like Elvis. The only caveat being having to take classical guitar lessons. After numerous majors at MIT, I finally chose to be a music major in my fourth year 1) to get out ASAP with some degree, and 2) because I felt that if I didn't do music 100% (and play my bets to safe by getting a "real job" - ie, painting myself in to a corner) I wouldn't know if it would have worked out or not.

Did your parents support your interests in music?
Yes. 100% from the time I was a kid to my decision to go to music school after college.

Your musical influences are quite wide-ranging. Do you feel that your own music is equally as wide-ranging?
Yes, the music I have produced has been quite eclectic. It's something I take some pride in and continue to pursue, especially with my new record label Chaos Theory Music. Perhaps this is because as a "commercial" composer (film, documentaries, musicals, commercials etc.) by default I have had to be able to adapt and produce a wide a range of music. Often times I would have to produce music which I had to learn on the spot and make it sound like it was my native musical language. While harrowing at times, it has been very, very rewarding musically - I love to learn new things and see how the work and why. I then adopt what I learn into my own work (like Syler from Heroes or Peter Petrilli ahahah). My first musical influences after Elvis were Van Halen, ACDC, Led Zeppelin and other heavy metal groups. So at my core I would say that I'm a rocker but have absorbed the music around me to produce what I like to call crossover music - like the new single of ours Hyped Urban Remix!

You are perhaps best known for your film scores but really you are known as a "jack-of-all-trades" when it comes to projects. You are an artist, composer, musician, and producer. Do you find that there is one aspect that you enjoy the most?
I enjoy being an artist a lot. It's a relatively new appellation I would attach to myself because as a composer, musician, and producer those are almost always for a "job" of some kind - you know, working for someone else. while in those roles, I have found tremendous fulfillment to the point I would regard those experiences as "artistic", but to be creative ad not be expecting a paycheck is something different and really fun! Even as an artist those other roles would still be present of course.

What can people expect from Woody Pak in the near future? I've read that a children's music release is coming. Are your own two children going to be the inspiration?
We have a few more artists on our label that we'll be producing in the next year as well our children's album. I'll also be continuing more collaborations with artists (like PRime) which culminate in a new album and we'll see a regular output of singles over the next year. My children have changed my life and definitely give me inspiration in all I do. In particular with the children's album, my kids love music but it's the parents who ultimately have to listen along with them so with that idea, we were motivated to create music that we the parents would enjoy listening to a million times.

When you've overloaded yourself on music and need a break, what are things you enjoy doing to keep the creative juices fresh?
What is usually best for me to recharge is to SLEEP!!!!! Without sleep, as we know, you function less optimally. Let's say I've had decent sleep - well, I love sports like volleyball and tennis. It's also nice to go somewhere visually stimulating like a museum or gallery. Another great way for me to unwind is catch up on all the tv shows I've missed on my Tivo! or rent the entire season of something and watch it in 3 days. Now that's a break!

What is your advice to aspiring musicians out there just starting out?
Well, I'll leave everyone with 2 wonderful quotes from Galaxy Quest:

By Grabthar's hammer, we live to tell the tale.

&

No! Never give up, never surrender.

Seriously though, just never give up and never stop loving music. If you want to make a lot of money quickly, music is probably not the best option - go into investment banking or commercial real estate. But if you stick it out and know that if your efforts are kick ass and you're offering the world something to chew on and you're being true to yourself and your art, then ultimately you'll be rewarded - even financially, but perhaps at 40 - it may never be riches but you can look back with no regrets and never have to say "woulda shoulda coulda."

Pragmatically speaking of course, it's a very exciting time since the old business model for making and distributing music is evolving. I would advise everyone out there always be strategically minded about how you get yourself out there. The opportunity to be part of the global music-appreciating community is ridiculously easy - YouTube, MySpace, Second Life, to name a few - are opportunities to be heard for little or no cost. It's really incredible so as you figure out what you have to present be ready to use the tools and means readily available to you. Also, make the time to understand your respective fields and how to break into them. A lot of important aspects are social skills and networking. Knowing the right person in addition to being in the right place at the right time is all important. A little bit of good luck helps too! If you're a singer songwriter - join BMI or ASCAP and attend songwriter workshops so industry people hear your songs. It might be better time spent than the occasional open mic night down the corner (though that is important for experience and gaining a following so I'm not de-valuing that at all, just prioritizing). If music is going to be a career for you then look at the dichotomy of what it is: It's your art and it's business. The business side is what ultimately keeps people from being able to stay in music.

Most of all, like a I said earlier, don't lose the love of music!

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This issue of A-Profiler is brought to you by Nelson Wong. Special thanks to Woody Pak and Gloria Lee.

Images courtesy of Chaos Theory Music. Used with permission.
Copyright retained by original copyright holder(s).