Michael Hearst is a multifaceted creative individual, encompassing the roles of composer, multi-instrumentalist, and writer. His impressive portfolio includes composing soundtracks for various films, such as To Be Takei, Magic Camp, Chicken People, and The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin, among others.
His music has also been featured in a unique context, with his album Songs For Ice Cream Trucks being played by at least 50 ice cream trucks worldwide. Additionally, his album Songs For Fearful Flyers, which includes voice-work by the renowned fearful flyer Whoopi Goldberg, has provided solace to many anxious travelers.
As an author, Hearst has written a four-part book series, each volume focusing on a grand theme: Unusual Creatures, Extraordinary People, Curious Constructions, and Unconventional Vehicles. Each book is accompanied by a companion album, and the Unusual Creatures book was also adapted into a PBS Digital series, hosted by Hearst himself.
Michael Hearst is also a founding member of the band One Ring Zero, which has released nine albums, including the literary collaboration As Smart As We Are, featuring lyrics by esteemed writers such as Paul Auster, Margaret Atwood, Dave Eggers, and Neil Gaiman, among others. Other notable albums by the band include Planets, a collection of new compositions inspired by the solar system and beyond, and The Recipe Project, in which the band performs recipes from renowned chefs such as Michael Symon, Tom Colicchio, and David Chang, verbatim.
Throughout his career, Hearst has performed and given lectures and workshops at esteemed institutions worldwide, including universities, museums, and cultural centers. He has also toured with The Magnetic Fields, performed with The Kronos Quartet at Carnegie Hall, and has appeared on prominent television programs such as NPR's Fresh Air, A+E's Breakfast With The Arts, and NBC's The Today Show.
