s u b t e x t s o u n d s / J e r o m e S i l s b y

Jerome draws from a broad musical palette. He started learning classical guitar in the composer Elgar’s former house aged 8, before later piano, percussion & vocal training. Through youth orchestras, teenage indie bands, samplers, electronics he branched into musical journeys in Spain (flamenco), Turkey (fretless guitar, oud), India (harmonium), Morocco (dumbek, darabuka), China (guzheng), Japan (shamisen), Argentina (charango), Indonesia (Javanese & Balinese gamelan), and London (Brazilian guitar, West African & South American percussion traditions).

A degree in Social & Visual Anthropology degree & a masters degree in studio composition added conceptual & practical dimensions to his creative approach. Jerome has performed in multiple genres to diverse audiences; from London venues such as the Royal Opera House & The Roundhouse to nightclubs in Tokyo, jazz clubs in Portugal & UK festivals such as Glastonbury & The Big Chill. Jerome later studied with award-winning film composer Nainita Desai.

Collaboration forms creative breakthroughs. Jerome has worked with musicians including Hattie Webb (Leonard Cohen, Tom Petty, the Webb sisters), Abi Bailey (Kib Elektra, Emiliana Torrini, Brian Eno, Mark Robson, M.I.A), Trevor Kentish (Hugh Masakela, Mulatu Astatke, Xantone Blacq), & Lila Cita (Bjork), as well as artists, storytellers & filmmakers. Jerome has also performed & released music as Venezuelan Alien.

Subtext Sounds draws from this rich & diverse musical skillset to create imaginative, inspired music for film, TV, advertising & media, to serve the subtext and emotional drive and heart of the visual storytelling in an integrated way with the overall vision of the project.