Nathan Barr has scored all four seasons of HBO’s Emmy-winning and Fan-Favorite series, TRUE BLOOD.  Barr, who worked extensively with Hans Zimmer in the past, has composed music for more than 25 feature films in addition to his television experience.  The Topanga Canyon-based composer has worked with some of the most highly respected directors, including Alan Ball and gore-horror master Eli Roth. So far, Roth and Barr have collaborated on five films: Dimension Films and Vivendi Entertainment’s GRINDHOUSE, Screen Gems and Lionsgate’s HOSTEL, HOSTEL 2, CABIN FEVER, and Lionsgate’s THE LAST EXORCISM. 

This year, Barr is composing original music for Lionsgate’s upcoming comedy THE WEDDING.  The film, set for a 2012 release, stars Robert De Niro, Amanda Seyfried, Katherine Heigl, Robin Williams, Topher Grace, Susan Sarandon and Diane Keaton.  

Most recently, Barr scored IFC Films’ THE LEDGE, a drama/thriller starring Liv Tyler and Terrance Howard, directed by Matthew Chapman, which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.  Barr’s other credits include:  20th Century Fox’s SHUTTER, Warner Bros.’ THE DUKES OF HAZZARD, and Film for Thought’s HOOD TO COAST, a documentary that follows four teams on their epic journey to conquer the world’s largest relay race.

Barr began studying music in Tokyo, Japan at four years old.  He grew up surrounded by eclectic music ranging from Kabuki Theater to the sounds of his mother performing on the koto and piano, and his father playing the banjo, guitar and shakuhachi.

In addition to writing his scores, he performs all of the instruments heard in many of his compositions, and is skilled in many styles and genres ranging from orchestral to rock.  Barr is also known for his collection and inclusion of rare and unusual instruments from around the world such as:  human bone trumpets from Tibet, dismantled pianos, a rare Glass Armonica and gourd cellos, among many others.  All are kept in his garage-turned-studio – just steps away from his home, which makes Barr officially have the shortest commute in LA.

His interest in the art form was further influenced by extensive travels around the world, where he experienced music ranging from Bali’s Kecak Orchestras to China’s Beijing Opera.  Barr went on to study at Skidmore College, and toured Italy and Switzerland with the Juilliard Cello Ensemble in the summer of 1993.  Last year, Barr was among a group of prolific composers who attended the renowned and respected 2011 Ubeda film Festival in Spain. He also joined 24 film, TV and video game composers in the Symphony of Hope to raise money for the victims of last year’s earthquake in Haiti. The CD was released in September 2011, and has already hit Amazon.com's top-25 chart of new classical releases.