Pat Irwin

Biography

Pat Irwin, born on May 17, 1955, in the United States, is a renowned American composer and musician whose career spans over four decades. He has made significant contributions to the music industry through his work in television, film, and live performances.

Early Life and Education

Irwin graduated from Grinnell College in 1977 with a degree in American Studies. Following his graduation, he received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, allowing him to study abroad. During this time, he attended composition workshops with the avant-garde composer John Cage in Paris, an experience that profoundly influenced his musical direction. ​

Musical Career

In the late 1970s, Irwin became a prominent figure in New York City's No Wave music scene. He was a founding member of two influential bands: 8-Eyed Spy and The Raybeats. The Raybeats, known for their instrumental rock, released albums such as "Guitar Beat" and "It's Only a Movie." In 2013, they released "The Lost Philip Glass Sessions," a collaboration with composer Philip Glass that was originally recorded in 1982.

From 1989 to 2008, Irwin was a member of the iconic new wave band The B-52s, contributing as a guitarist and keyboardist. ​

Composing for Film and Television

Irwin has an extensive portfolio as a composer for film and television. His notable works include scoring for the Showtime series "Dexter: New Blood," which became the most-watched show in Showtime's history. He also composed music for HBO's "Bored to Death," Showtime's "Nurse Jackie," and Netflix's "The Good Cop."

In the realm of animation, Irwin composed scores for popular series such as Nickelodeon's "Rocko's Modern Life," Disney's "Pepper Ann," HBO's "A Little Curious," and Cartoon Network's "Class of 3000."

Beyond his performance and composition work, Irwin is dedicated to education. He teaches seminars in film and television music at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema at Brooklyn College.