FILM AND MEDIA COMPOSER
Jana Cushman is a contemporary composer, music supervisor, and the frontperson of the dream pop/post-punk band Darkswoon. Their music is characterized by the fusion of organic instrumentation and electronic production, crafting soundscapes ranging in style from orchestral to rock. Cushman began playing guitar at the age of 5, igniting a lifelong passion for music. With an early foundation in classical guitar paired with a love of 90s grunge, Cushman honed their skills in the underground music scene of the Pacific Northwest. Their affinity for film scores and electronic music has enriched their musical palette in music composition, bringing a distinctive and multifaceted perspective to their work.
Cushman holds a degree in Music Composition for Film, TV, and Games from Berklee College of Music, with a minor concentration in music supervision and a demonstrated proficiency in music production, including Pro Tools certification. Among their notable achievements is the acclaimed score for the feature film 'My Summer As A Goth,' which earned the title of 'Best Film Score' during its Los Angeles premiere at the DTLA Film Festival in 2019. They are currently composing for the upcoming television series 'This is Fine.' With expertise in various musical styles, Jana Cushman consistently produces innovative compositions tailored to the specific needs of each project.
“Jana is a talented musician, great collaborator..their beautiful score weaved together and amplified the story, adding a layer to the final film that is both haunting and inspirational.
Tara Johnson-Medinger, Director/Producer ‘My Summer As A Goth”
ORIGINAL SCORE
My Summer as a Goth
Motion Picture Soundtrack
My Summer as a Goth is a coming-of-age story about the sometimes painful—often entertaining—search for identity and love in adolescence.
After the sudden death of her father, 16-year-old, Joey Javitts is sent to stay with her eccentric grandparents while her author mother promotes her latest novel. Joey promptly falls for the beguiling Goth boy next door, Victor, and is transformed by him and his merry band of misfits in black.
Set in present-day Portland, My Summer as a Goth navigates Joey’s relationships with her new friends, her family and herself, and will resonate with anyone who survived the social alienation of adolescence—and that first summer heartbreak.
Directed & Produced by Tara Johnson-Medinger
***Winner Best Score at the 2019 DTLA Film Festival***
credits
released May 22, 2020
Music Supervisor - Jana Cushman
Producer - Tara Johnson-Medinger
Producer - Ana Ammann
Master By- Jeremy Wilkins at underwater research and design
Album Cover Art Design - Noah Denker & Lucas Bartley (FLUX)
ORIGINAL SOUNDS
Darkswoon - Bloom Decay
“The Portland trio Darkswoon bears their name very well, as their indie rock with their electronic framework and intelligent choruses carries within it that touch of intimate darkness, that little something disturbing contained in a sentence such as "My body's not mine ", chanted on the impeccable first single "Eaten By Wolves" from his new album, "Bloom Decay". Jana Cushman's guitar and remarkable vocals are carried by a deceptively retro, raw and mechanical drum machine, supported by Rachel Ellis' discreet synths and backed by Norah Lynn's bass. Since their debut in 2015, Darkswoon has shaped a sonic spectrum with multiple possibilities: the guitar blasts Killing Joke style on "This Is A Void", is airy on the second single "Year Of The Rat", expresses its rage on "Under Glass ", or even plays it sparingly on the title "Bloom Decay" which opens and baptizes this disc which is an absolute success. As for the production, she was able to offer these unique songs the depth they deserved, by taming this profusion of energy on edge, while retaining the raw and wild spark of passion, the one that illuminates the very heart of ‘Bloom Decay’”. - Bertrand Hamonou, Premonition