Keefus Ciancia

Keefus Ciancia has built a reputation as one of the most inventive and emotionally resonant composers in film and television, and as a producer of acclaimed records for a wide range of artists. Known for pushing music beyond convention and effortlessly crossing genres, he has delivered unforgettable scores for acclaimed projects such as Killing Eve, True Detective, Eric, The Fall, London Spy, Made for Love, and Strangerland.

His work has earned a BAFTA for Best Television Soundtrack (Killing Eve), an Ivor Novello Award (London Spy), and Emmy and BMI nominations (True Detective, Saving Grace). Blending noir, electronic, classical, and unexpected textures, Keefus has helped redefine what modern scoring can be.

Raised on classical piano and shaped by his older brothers’ record collections, Keefus was playing in multiple bands and across multiple genres by the age of 13. This early immersion gave him a wide-ranging musical vocabulary and a deep curiosity for sound that would eventually define his career. After moving to Los Angeles in the early ’90s, he co-founded the genre-bending band Weapon of Choice with Lonnie “Meganut” Marshall and became a key figure in LA’s underground hip-hop scene, collaborating with artists including Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and E-40.

During this period, he met singer Jade Vincent and formed the 10-piece noir-electronic collective The Jade Vincent Experiment, later evolving into Vincent & Mr. Green. Their cinematic sound attracted the attention of legendary producer T Bone Burnett, sparking a creative partnership that would span multiple projects: The Ladykillers (Coen Brothers), Don’t Come Knocking (Wim Wenders), Walk the Line (James Mangold), Thunderbird (Cassandra Wilson), and three seasons of HBO’s True Detective. He also co-founded the experimental group The Invisible Light with Burnett and Jay Bellerose.

In 2012, Keefus began collaborating with composer David Holmes. Together they scored Killing Eve, The Fall, London Spy, Mindhorn, Diana and The Motel Life. Alongside Jade Vincent, they formed the band Unloved-whose music became the sonic heartbeat of Killing Eve, powering all four seasons with their signature sound.

Other scoring highlights include HBO’s Made for Love, where his genre-defying music brought surrealism and heart to the series; Limitless with Chris Hemsworth for National Geographic, featuring a sweeping, cinematic score that grounded the show’s emotional stakes; and the BBC/FX adaptation of Great Expectations, praised for its haunting, modern take on period scoring. Together, these projects showcase his signature blend of innovation, atmosphere, and emotional depth.

In 2024, Keefus scored the Netflix limited series Eric, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, crafting a tense, layered score that mirrored the show’s psychological intensity. That same year, he composed the music for The Radleys, a darkly comic vampire film based on Matt Haig’s novel, featuring an original song co-written and performed by Damian Lewis.

Coming in 2025 is Easy’s Waltz, the new feature from True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto. Keefus composed the original score and produced all live performances, reuniting with Pizzolatto for a noir-tinged story set against a backdrop of music, memory, and reinvention. Starring Vince Vaughn, Al Pacino, Shania Twain, Kate Mara, Cobie Smulders, and Simon Rex, the film will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Beyond scoring, Keefus has produced music for a diverse range of artists, including Unloved, Kimbra, Nikka Costa, Me’Shell Ndegéocello, Cassandra Wilson, Everlast, Benji Hughes, Étienne Daho, and Jeff Bridges-co-producing and composing for Bridges’ acclaimed experimental album Sleeping Tapes and its visual companion Dreaming With Jeff.

Whether shaping the sound of a high-concept sci-fi series, reinventing the period drama, or carving new ground in modern noir, Keefus Ciancia brings a singular sonic voice that leaves an indelible mark.

Keefus now resides in Europe.