Inside Heavyocity: Dave Fraser on Art, Life, and Making Iconic Instruments

I sit down with Dave Fraser, co-founder of Heavyocity, one of the most influential companies in the modern virtual instrument and cinematic sound design world. Dave opens up about his earliest musical memories, the wild gigging years, studying at Berklee, his unexpected detour into the medical field, the grind of composing for TV and advertising, and the origins of Heavyocity. This episode is packed with wisdom for composers, producers, sound designers, and anyone navigating a creative life.HEAVYOCITY LINKS:Website: https://heavyocity.com/Heavy Melody Music: https://www.heavymelodymusic.com/Youtube: @Heavyocitymedia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavyocity/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heavyocity-media-inc-/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeavyocityX: https://x.com/HeavyocityMediaMarkus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/Support this podcast by becoming a member:https://markusjunnikkala.com/membership/Want me to answer your question?Ask it on social media:https://www.instagram.com/markusjunnikkala/https://www.facebook.com/markusjunnikkala/https://x.com/markusjunnikkalhttps://www.reddit.com/user/markusjunnikkala/https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusjunnikkala/Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.TIMESTAMPS:(00:00:00) – Intro, tech setup & the new Heavyocity instrument (“Aftermath”)(00:12:31) – Reflections on 9/11, kindness & personal philosophy(00:54:13) – Early musical beginnings & rediscovering the piano(01:00:28) – First bands, gigging, and life as a young performer(01:06:41) – College decisions, pre-med detour & finding Berklee(01:21:06) – Touring life: reality checks, burnout & self-discipline(01:33:52) – Leaving the road & entering professional composition(02:09:20) – The Heavyocity origin story & creative philosophy(02:28:03) – How Heavyocity instruments are made: ideas → prototypes → releases(03:25:49) – Art, creativity, and Dave’s message to the world