richard pleasance

composer/songwriter/producer

Sea Change

ABC NETWORK
SeaChange was my first real job working with film, it came about by me hassling a film industry colleague for years asking for a job.  He eventually called me and told me about a little show with Sigrid Thornton in it, could be ok etc etc i’ll send you some scripts. ‘ I”LL DO IT ‘ i said and immediately knocked up 5 or 6 pieces to show them my feel. Luckily i got the job and the show went on to be one of Australia’s most loved and successful TV series. It was obvious from the start that the music needed to be acoustic and organic. I used a lot of dobro and small stringed things like banjo mandolins. The closing song received an APRA award – pretty chuffed .

Here’s a bit of silly trivia , Wendy who sings the closing theme is a massive Carlton football club fan ( like me )we text each other every game still to this day.- Go Blues.

She’s My Mother

Sea Change (closing song)

Meredith’s theme

24 thoughts on “Sea Change

  1. Well done Richard. I literally changed the direction of my life as a result of watching Seachange. Your music is the unseen emotional backbone that ties the scenes together. I couldn’t imagine the show without your wonderful, freeing, scores

  2. Chris, my gosh yes! That is exactly how I feel/felt too! Sitting here typing this listening to ‘She’s My Mother’ and reminiscing of old Seachange days gone by – a beautiful nostalgia for what was… Perfectly summed up by Richard’s incredibly soul-feeling music. Magical! Thank you Richard, for making us feel and believe we’re all on this ride together 🙂

  3. Hi
    I’m searching for bones Blaxell’s Breath. Was it ever recorded?
    Clare Levy

    • Thanks Clare , I recorded it for the show only . I think I have the longer version of it somewhere but locating it is tricky because it’s on the old format of DAT in a box gathering dust . It’s possibly on the third CD we released . I’ll keep an eye out for ya.
      Rich

      • Did you ever fins bones Blaxell’s Breath? My wife and I are also looking or it, and more like it
        Thank you for you time and effort – – –

      • Thanks Dan , that theme firmly lives in that episode, I did include it on the third Sea change CD release but I’m not sure if you can buy it anymore.
        I am going to release a new album of instrumental music this year though .
        Cheers , Richard

      • Hi Richard,
        Me and my wife are fan of Bones Blaxell music you gave for Seachange.

        From bottom of my heart I request you , if you can please share that.
        OR let us know how can I buy Seachange CD.

        Thanks

  4. Richard I Love your music in Seachange especially the opening credit music. Love the use of percussion in that.

  5. Richard,
    My wife and I absolutely adore “Seachange”. As we went through the episodes, I kept on remarking to her that the series music composer was a true “Mozart”! Now that we have the 2-cd score, it goes on practically every day! Would love to know if you’ve scored other series; would buy them as well.
    Your music truly underscores the emotion of the show, and helps to flesh out the characters.
    My wife and I hope you and yours are safe during this time. Would love to send you a letter ( handwritten of course). Also have my own very tiny studio, and hearing from talented people such as you assist in providing guidelines into the creative process.
    Thanks for everything!
    Kevin

  6. Absolutely love this – fell in love with soundtrack as soon as I heard Meredith’s theme. Say, you wouldn’t happen to where to find the full soundtrack online would you? I’ve been looking for it everywhere and haven’t found a way to even listen to it let alone buy it.

    • Thanks Ash , that’s very sweet of you.
      Have you tried Apple itunes or Spotify ?
      If there’s no joy there let me know.

      Cheers

      ps- I like Meridith’s theme too

  7. Was watching show then heard fabulous trumpet knocked me out I am Geri farrell wife of tenor man joe farrell who worked with chick Correa love show and music would love some of this music or how to get total music of show

  8. Thank you Richard, for creating this magic! Meredith’s Song is the theme song for my life. I absolutely love it, I only wish it was longer. I’ll now have to go searching for your instrumental music album. The SeaChange soundtrack is always on high rotation in my playlists. It used to be about the childhood nostalgia but now as an adult, each song hits differently. Well done!

  9. The instrumental music from SeaChange is one of my favourite musical scores! Especially from season 3, I love Bay of Pearls, The Wedding score for Angus & Karen, to name a few. I used to have access to it on Apple Tunes, but it’s unavailable now. I’m devastated! I’ve been scouring the internet looking for them & found your page 😊! Is there anyway I can get these songs? Many, many thanks in advance! The music is so beautifully composed!! ❤️

    • Thankyou so much Annie , it’s nice knowing people like my music . It’s a great show and easy to write for .
      I’ll look into your query .
      Cheers
      Rich

  10. Where can I buy the masterpiece that was the music to this series? I’ve seen it come and go on YouTube Music and Spotify but sadly it’s gone from both platforms. “Seachange Wedding” was the music I played when my wife walked down the aisle. “Meredith’s Theme” is also one of the most hauntingly beautiful pieces I’ve heard.

  11. hi richard my name is rod annert back in the late 80s i worked under your brother george out at a place called help industry’s and i also met you and peter farnan at festival hall in brissie when you were with bco i too am a long time carlton supporter my dads mother when she was alive knitted me a carlton jumper anyway when i met you at festival hall you were saying how you gave george a black eye anyway i was wondering what you are doing now music wise and do you still hear from george

    • Hi Rod , sorry I don’t recall meeting you , and more importantly I don’t have a brother called George. I have a cousin called George but he was about 15 years older than me and I would never consider giving him a black eye .Is it possible you might have mixed a few memories?

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