You may not have seen him before or recognise his face, but you most definitely will have heard his music at some point in your life.
Meet Hans Zimmer, one of the world’s greatest composers ('The Lion King', 'Pirates Of The Caribbean', 'Inception') although he wouldn’t dare boast about it.
He says he cannot count the amount of times he has been asked when he will be getting ‘a real job’. But after an Academy Award, two Golden Globes and three Grammys, it appears this hobby of his may well be a force to be reckoned with. “You know, I’ve never written for money, I’ve never written a note for money because it’s not inspiring!” Hans says.
“On the one hand I did go home at 5:30 in the morning and I am completely knackered today, but honestly, if you look at the options, it’s not like strapping on a pit helmet and going down the pit at 3am in the morning, that’s real work… this is an honour and a luxury.”
For the first time, Hans will be performing in Australia with a full orchestra. He has been to Australia many times and seen a lot of shows, but never did he ever dream he would be performing his own show.
“Last year, a bunch of my musician friends basically put their foot down and told me it was time to stop hiding behind the screen and look an audience in the eyes… and just because I had stage fright that that was a terrible excuse,” Hans says.
The majority of Hans work has always been created in studios or as he describes it, his “dark, windowless room with safe people”. Hans realised it was time to get out of his comfort zone and face his fears of performing to a live audience.
“Literally, on the first night I had to decide how I was going to go about this and here’s the thing… I’m looking around the stage on the first night and do you know where I was? In a dark room with no windows… but it just so happens there was 12,000 people there,” Hans says.
“I thought 'let’s just have a chat, it’ll be like being in my studio except everybody’s there', so whatever comes into my head, it comes out of my mouth for better or for worse… we’ll just treat it as if we’re having a bit of a dinner party.”
It’s his infectious and addictive attitude and personality that has made “making a bit of a racket” with his orchestra such a success during his recent UK and European tours.
Despite his extraordinary career and array of incredible achievements, Hans always remains respectful and humble of the life he has lived. “I think anybody who takes their audience seriously... you have to approach it with respect and you have to be a bit frightened of it,” Hans says.
“I never know if it’s going to be good or not, I write a tune and I put it out into the world and it’s indefensible… it either resonates or it doesn’t… I can’t tell you to love a piece of music.”
Hans Zimmer Shows
Tue 2 May - Qudos Arena (Sydney)Thu 4 May - Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne)
Sat 6 May - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Wed 10 May - Perth Arena
