About ALIBI

Meet the Composer... Craig Garrod

Craig Garrod

How did you get started?

I started out as a wannabe rockstar as many young musicians do. I picked up a guitar at around the age of 12 and that was that. I always felt a unique connection to music that was unlike anything else. It just seemed to make a lot of sense to me where not much else did.

I eventually started looking for like-minded musicians and began playing in various rock/metal bands until going to college to study music. That was a very eye-opening experience, as it forced me quite considerably out of my comfort zone. That was when I started exploring more genres and discovered a profound appreciation for the music of Stevie Wonder, who remains one of my all-time favorite artists to this day. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a vocalist too and got really into soul, R&B, jazz and funk music. It’s funny now, actually, whenever I mention to someone that I used to be a total metalhead, they usually don’t believe me.

Music college was where I began to consider all the possibilities of a career path as a musician and got into teaching and music production. Needless to say, I got bitten by the creative bug and knew that was what I wanted to do in whatever capacity I could… Just writing all kinds of music and constantly striving to learn and develop my skills, and If I could make a living doing so, well, what more could you ask for?

Please list your top credits.

In my time as a production music composer, I’ve had music used in numerous TV spots on ITV, BBC, HBO and CNN, to name a few. I’ve also had the pleasure of seeing my works used in a variety of trailers on streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. I’d say my favorite uses to date are a season trailer for the animated Netflix comedy “F is for Family” and Tom Segura’s “Ball Hog” standup comedy trailer. Those types of placements are always the best, as they can catch you completely off guard. I’ll be flicking through looking for something to watch thinking, “Hmmm, I recognize that music from somewhere,” and suddenly it clicks. I always get a kick out of that!

What types of genres do you work in most?

I always try to be versatile and have quite a deep well of influences to draw from, but the genres I tend to gravitate towards the most are usually either very groove or hook orientated (or both). Soul, funk, blues/rock and even electro/EDM, to name a few. Having said that, I’m always excited to have the opportunity to work on something I wouldn’t usually do and, as such, have found myself writing anything from old-school hip-hop to ambient bed-like tracks and even an album of gypsy jazz. That’s the beauty of doing what we do: It’s never boring!

What is your favorite track for ALIBI?

Now, that’s a tough one. I’d have to say one of my favorites is a track called One and Only from the Vintage Soul 2 album. It was a collaborative effort between myself and Adam Bowers (another ALIBI composer and an insanely talented musician) featuring our friend Abi Farrell on vocals. It just has a classic kind of feel-good, head-bopping groove, and Abi is easily one of the best singers I’ve ever met. We just had to get her involved. So stoked with how that album turned out!

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

Pretty sure I mentioned Stevie already. Honestly, it’s a lot of music in that same vein. Donny Hathaway is another favorite. His deeply soulful voice and heart wrenchingly emotional songs will bring you to tears every time.

What makes your work unique?

I guess the combination of influences from the crazy wide variety of music I like?

(Apologies, that’s a bit of a stock answer, isn’t it? Haha!)

Tell us one surprising thing people wouldn’t know about you.

I absolutely love watching anime and I’m not sorry.

Your funniest/strangest music experience

I once depped as a bass player for an ‘80s rock tribute band that did a gig in a care home. That was…bizarre…

Why do you like working with ALIBI?

To be honest, it’s pretty awesome being able to have a creative outlet for such a plethora of different music and having the opportunity to collaborate and liaise with such ridiculously talented people. The team are always super helpful and supportive!

Any words of advice to share with composer hopefuls?

I would say, always be willing to expand your skills and musical repertoire beyond what you currently know. You may surprise yourself with what comes out of it.

How can people follow your work (website/Spotify/social channels)?

You can follow me on

for occasional little snippets of what I’m up to!

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