In this episode of Sounds Scary, host James Oster sits down with acclaimed composer and musical storyteller Ian Honeyman for a deep dive into the art of creating emotion through sound.



Known for his work on The Monkey King, The Philly Kid, and major blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean (as well as the theme to this very podcast), Ian shares his journey from classical conservatory training to scoring films in Hans Zimmer’s studio. He discusses the thrill and pressure of working on big-budget projects, the excitement of genre filmmaking, and how horror opens the door to wild experimentation—unusual instruments, eerie textures, and sounds that audiences haven’t heard before.



They break down iconic horror scores like The Shining, Halloween, and The Exorcist, and how those soundscapes shaped Ian’s approach to composing. From building custom instruments for specific films to using music as a narrative tool that deepens character arcs, Ian reveals the craftsmanship behind every chilling cue.



And because it wouldn’t be Sounds Scary without something truly spooky, Ian closes the episode with a ghost story from a winter trip through Scotland—a remote 600-year-old castle, mysterious music with no source, and one very welcoming spirit.