Pro Hello: Liam Annert

Having grown up in a record store in one of Melbourne's famous districts, Liam Annert wrote music as a solo artist during his early years before discovering sound design and joining the advertising and film industry. After finding his calling, he's become a Spikes Asia and AWARD Australia gold winning sound designer.

With an ear for detail, his sound can be heard on campaigns for some of the world's biggest brands. Liam is a big advocate for pushing the boundaries, and developing the skills to create immersive soundscapes for TV, cinema, 360° and VR.

What do you do, and where are you based?

I’m a sound designer that looks after our studio, Rumble Studios, here in Melbourne.

What recent campaigns might we know you from, and what was your input on these campaigns?

Some recent work includes the Toyota Yaris GR campaign, editing the music by Amyl and the Sniffers, along with the sound design.

Also the global campaign for Xero doing the sound design, voice recording and mixing for all the territories overseas.

How did you first get into the industry, and how did you realise what you wanted to do?

Like many sound designers, I began as a musician, until I discovered the world of post-production while working in a recording studio on a project based on the band INXS. It opened my eyes to a whole new avenue in the sound industry.

Tell us about your journey so far.

After graduating studying Music when I was 21, I spent four years as a solo artist before returning to study Audio Engineering. I then began working in advertising and film in Melbourne before moving up to Sydney and joining Rumble. After four years in the Sydney studio, I returned to Melbourne to open the studio here and haven’t looked back.

What projects / campaigns that you’ve been involved in have been the most personally satisfying to work on, and why?

The launch of YouTube Music in Australia, featuring four iconic neighbourhoods of Australia that blended sound design and music together. And also Toyota Winter Olympics campaign that showed historic moments from the games frozen in ice that played at the opening ceremony globally.

What’s been your proudest achievement?

Numerous awards in sound design across the globe, but also having an amazing team and culture in the studio. I love coming to work every day and seeing their faces and the amazing work they all do.

What do people (clients, agencies etc) come to you for specifically?

Sound is a difficult medium to articulate why it works / doesn’t, as it’s not tangible or visual. Having a great ear at understanding sound and deciphering feedback is what we do best to achieve the sound and tone of our clients work.

What are your strongest opinions relating to your specific field?

The earlier you involve us in the project, the better suggestions and creative decisions we can present. This can help sometimes help influence decisions on the shoot or editing that can make the entire piece feel way more cohesive and considered, ending in a much better result for the clients.

What sort of projects really get you excited at the moment?

Projects that utilise a great piece of music to set the mood, and then allow us to create a unique soundscape around it.

Who are your creative heroes, and why?

Moby and Daft Punk. Both have built their sound and style that I connect with and admire.

Outside of the day job, what fuels your creativity?

Digging for new and old music that sparks something inside me. I also have a deep passion for cooking and food, with so many combinations of styles and flavours, there’s a magic to tasting something you’ve made that makes food so fun to enjoy and play with.