Do you need a song? For a film, a theatre piece, a dance project? Maybe for a special occasion or as a gift to a loved one? If so, I may be your… thing.

Want it recorded? Performed live? On Zoom. All of the above? Every situation is unique. Please contact me directly. Together we’ll figure it out.

One of my favourite challenges is writing tunes and lyrics for a specific project. Sometimes I might have composed and recorded the song already. One example is the UK box office hit, A Street Cat Named Bob. The director sent me an early draft of the script. After reading it I realized my tunes Beautiful Monday and Still Small Voice Inside could fit perfectly. Happily, the director agreed. So the lead actor, Luke Treadaway, sang them in his role as a busker in the film.

More often, I have to start from scratch. I’ve written songs specifically for films and musicals and also as surprise gifts for birthdays and weddings. In all cases the trick is to match the lyrics, melody and genre of the song to the occasion - to its setting and character(s). I usually bristle when my music is described as eclectic - my band even won an Independent Music Award for Best Eclectic Album (gulp) - but in this case it’s a selling point. If your loved one or the character in your story likes rock or folk or Americana or European chanson then I’m more than happy to compose in the style the circumstances merit.

And then what? In the case of portrait songs, I start by asking a variety of different questions about the subject. Random details are key. Once I have a sense of the person’s musical tastes I get to work. Throw in a few herbs and spices and the results can be surprising. I have elicited laughter and tears, sometimes from the same song and hopefully for the right reasons.

A song about my mum and her friends animated by Maria Eugenia

A one-of-a-kind bespoke present written and performed by yours truly! Not convinced? Here are some testimonials:

“Imagine Stephen Sondheim, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen combined. That’s Jonathan Spottiswoode! His bespoke birthday song for my wife’s ‘big birthday’ brought tears and laughter. He took the time to explore our lives, then write and record a song that we will forever treasure. It is a unique gift no matter what the occasion. I cannot recommend his services highly enough."
David Lee Miller, News Reporter, New York City

“Truly a memorable moment (and surprise!) at my 40th birthday party. Not only did you write a wonderful, personal and humorous song for me, it captured my life at that time. I’m smiling ear to ear thinking about it now. It marked the occasion in an indelible way. I can see the room, the party and who was there, in addition to hearing it in my head. Without sounding corny it is such a special thing. You used your amazing song writing skills and wit for ME! I’m sure that’s how anyone who has a portrait song written by you would feel. And with the added bonus of you singing it to them, they will feel like I did - very honoured and adored.”
Meryl Waitz, Jewelry Designer, New York City

“Jonathan is an amazingly talented and versatile songwriter. I've had the pleasure of working with him on several films. On my short film, "Weeki Wachee Girls" I had six 70's songs on my temp track that needed replacing. Within 2 weeks, Jonathan had sketched out all six, in widely differing styles. All excellent. I still get requests for the soundtrack. For my feature, "In Montauk," Jonathan's songs grace the beginning and the end of the film and set the tone for the entire film. I can't recommend him highly enough!”
Kim Cummings, Film Director

“I asked Mr. Spottiswoode to compose an original composition as his wedding gift to me. Jonathan in turn asked me and my fiancée Maria to fill out a long and extensive questionnaire that surpassed a federal background check in both breadth and detail. The questions ranged from the details of my actual proposal to Maria to a list of my favorite bands when I was a teenager. The exercise was odd, humorous, unforeseen, erudite, probing, and witty. Just like Jonathan. I sent off my “application” about two months before the event, and then largely forgot about it as I became lost in the 1,001 details of wedding planning.
When the big night arrived, Jonathan took the stage with an acoustic guitar, a harmonica, and a grin. He explained that his first instinct was to write an amusing ditty in the vein of Randy Newman or Mark Russell. But then he recollected that whenever I spoke of Maria, I always said repeatedly that she was one of the best people I had ever met, the “sweetest girl I had ever known” as Jonathan put it in lyric. His resulting song, “Home”, was a testament not only to my love for Maria, but to the beauty and trials of the emotional journey that we all take when we seek to finally come home and unite with someone with whom we will spend the rest of our life. From whispering lyrics to a wailing harmonica solo, the song had power, tenderness, and magnificence. It stands today as one the most valuable gifts I have ever received. Certainly, it captivated Maria from the first line onwards as a waterfall of tears streamed down her face throughout the entire performance. The moment--and the song--were both truly beautiful.”
Justin King, Emmy-winning Producer