Finneas O’Connell, known simply as Finneas, and also recognized as Billie Eilish’s elder brother, has announced the completion of a new project that may become his most notable achievement yet. This upcoming piece promises to be an iconic sound that will welcome viewers to Apple TV for years. Finneas describes the creation as a ‘mnemonic,’ a term that can also encompass an aural identity, jingle, or startup sound.
In a recent interview with Variety, Finneas shared details about how he was approached by David Taylor, Apple TV’s Head of Music. The brief was to develop a piece of music to accompany a new logo, as the platform looks to refresh its branding by simplifying it, including a rebranding from Apple TV+.
Finneas explained the challenge involved in crafting something effective and memorable in such a concise format. Initially considering creating multiple options, he became increasingly absorbed in his work on a single piece, layering it to give it depth and richness. “I really think this is the one that I want them to hear. I love this one,” Finneas remarked about the track.
Historically, Finneas is not the first to create music for corporate giants; he follows in the footsteps of renowned composer Brian Eno, who was famously commissioned to develop a startup sound for Windows 95. Eno’s six-second piece, for which he earned $35,000, highlighted the lucrative potential in creating such brief yet impactful musical moments.
While the compensation for Finneas’s work remains undisclosed, his enthusiasm was evident in an Instagram post where he conveyed his honor and enjoyment in participating in this project. This collaboration not only showcases Finneas’s growing prowess in the music industry but also signals an exciting evolution for Apple’s brand identity. As he steps into this unique role, fans can look forward to a catchy sound that could become synonymous with Apple TV.