{{short description|British video game composer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Jessica Curry | image = Jessica curry.jpg | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = | other_names = | occupation = Composer | years_active = | known_for = | notable_works = | alma_mater = {{ubl|University College London{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}|National Film and Television School{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}}} | spouse = Dan Pinchbeck | website = {{URL|jessicacurry.co.uk}} }}
'''Jessica Curry''' is an English composer, radio presenter, and former co-head of the British video game development studio The Chinese Room. She won a BAFTA award in 2016 for her score for the video game ''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' and received an honorary doctorate from Abertay University in 2023.
She has also written and presented several national radio shows, including [https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/high-score-returns-requests/ High Score] for ClassicFM, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009rfn Sound of Gaming] for BBC Radio 3, Magic Classical, and BBC World Service. She has written and hosted live concerts at venues such as the [https://catalogue.royalalberthall.com/record/performance/PERF15583 Royal Albert Hall] and [https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/epz3v2 BBC Maida Vale].
==Career==
When Dan Pinchbeck was developing his experimental video game ''Dear Esther'' he turned to his wife Curry to write a score. Thus Curry became the co-founder of The Chinese Room game studio.<ref name=mmag>{{cite web |url=http://www.m-magazine.co.uk/features/interview-jessica-curry/ |title=Interview: Jessica Curry |work=M magazine |date=20 September 2016 |accessdate=5 February 2017 }}</ref>
Following the success of that game, The Chinese Room went on to develop ''Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs'' which Curry describes as her first "journey into interactivity." <ref name=mmag/>
While ''Amnesia'' was in production, The Chinese Room received an approach from Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica Studio to develop an exclusive game for them. ''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'', which had originally been envisioned as a PC release, subsequently became a PlayStation 4 exclusive.<ref name=mmag/> Curry describes ''Rapture'' as "the first time I would say that I wrote a truly interactive score".<ref name=mmag/>
In October 2015 Curry announced via her blog on The Chinese Room's website that, while she would remain a company director, she was lessening her creative involvement with the studio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/10/10/9493789/in-a-heartbreaking-letter-jessica-curry-says-goodbye-to-the-chinese |title=In a heartbreaking letter, Jessica Curry says goodbye to The Chinese Room |first=Charlie |last=Hall |website=Polygon |date=10 October 2015 |accessdate=5 February 2017 }}</ref>
In April 2016, Curry won a BAFTA at the 12th British Academy Games Awards for her music on ''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Games in 2016 |publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2016/games |accessdate=25 January 2017 |date=2016 }}</ref>
In 2018, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to music, along with her efforts in the promotion of games and game music within arts and culture and her dedication to making the industry a better place to work, she was awarded the Outstanding Contribution award by MCV Women in Games.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Roll of Honour {{!}} MCV Women in Games Awards|url=https://womeningamesawards.com/roll-of-honour/|date=2019-04-18|access-date=2025-11-30|language=en-GB}}</ref>
After her departure from The Chinese Room, Curry embarked on various other projects including a collaboration with poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy<ref name=mmag/> which saw poems by Duffy performed to music by Curry and others at Durham Cathedral in July 2016 as part of a centenary remembrance of the Battle of the Somme.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/whatson/durham-hymns |title=Durham Hymns |publisher=Durham Cathedral |accessdate=5 February 2017 |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206104205/https://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/whatson/durham-hymns |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In October 2016 Curry's score to ''Dear Esther'' was performed live by a full orchestra at London's Barbican Centre to coincide with the release of the game for the PS4 and Xbox One consoles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesoundarchitect.co.uk/dear-esther-live-at-the-barbican/ |title=''Dear Esther'', Live at the Barbican |date=15 October 2016 |accessdate=5 February 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=20030 |title=''Dear Esther'' |publisher=Barbican Centre |access-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119083140/https://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=20030 |archive-date=19 January 2017 }}</ref><ref name=argus>{{cite web |url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/business/14801828.Gaming_company_puts_on_classical_performance_with_a_twist_world_famous_venue/ |title=Gaming company puts on classical performance with a twist world famous venue |work=The Argus |date=14 October 2016 |accessdate=5 February 2017 }}</ref>
In January 2017, it was announced that Curry would present ''High Score'', Classic FM's six-episode series on video game music.<ref>{{cite web |title=Classic FM will celebrate 25th birthday with composition competition and video game show |url=http://www.classicfm.com/music-news/25th-birthday/ |publisher=Classic FM |accessdate=25 January 2017 |date=25 January 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Yin-Poole |first1=Wesley |title=Classic FM to launch a new video game music show |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-01-25-classic-fm-to-launch-a-new-video-game-music-show |website=Eurogamer |accessdate=25 January 2017 |date=25 January 2017 }}</ref> In October 2017 it was announced that Curry's show was renewed for another six episodes, starting 4 November.<ref>{{cite web |title=''High Score'' with Jessica Curry will return to Classic FM in November |url=http://www.classicfm.com/music-news/high-score-jessica-curry-november-2017/ |publisher=Classic FM |accessdate=November 3, 2017 |date=October 16, 2017 }}</ref>
Starting October 2019, Curry presented ''Sound of Gaming'' on BBC Radio 3, a weekly series on video game music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/oct/09/bbc-radio-3-video-game-music-programme-jessica-curry|title='It's a new golden age': Radio 3 launches video game music show|last=Stuart|first=Keith|date=2019-10-09|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-01-18|language=en-GB|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009070438/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/oct/09/bbc-radio-3-video-game-music-programme-jessica-curry |archivedate=2019-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/bbc-radio-3-launches-sound-of-gaming|title=BBC - BBC Radio 3 launches Sound Of Gaming with Bafta award-winner Jessica Curry - Media Centre|website=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=2020-01-18|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118171014/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/bbc-radio-3-launches-sound-of-gaming|archive-date=2020-01-18}}</ref>
In 2022 Curry's music rounded out the first ever [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0019kp1 Prom] dedicated to games music.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Photos and reactions: video games arrive at the BBC Proms|url=https://www.rpo.co.uk/promoters-area/597-photos-and-reactions-video-games-arrive-at-the-bbc-proms|website=www.rpo.co.uk|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref>
In June 2025, Curry released ''Shielding Songs,'' an album mostly made up of new versions of her favourite pieces featuring the London Voices choir.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=2025-06-24 |title='Trauma is messy, but music will come of it': Jessica Curry on her new album, Shielding Songs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/jun/24/trauma-is-messy-but-music-will-come-of-it-jessica-curry-on-her-new-album-shielding-songs |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Curry and husband Dan Pinchbeck have been together since 2000. They are based in Brighton and have one child.<ref name=argus/>
She is a fan of film director Peter Greenaway and his frequent collaborator, composer Michael Nyman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alphr.com/games/1004304/it-s-all-about-precision-and-flow-dear-esther-creator-talks-live-performances-politics|title='It's all about precision and flow': Dear Esther creator talks live performances, politics and game design|publisher=|accessdate=5 February 2017}}</ref>
==Awards== ===BAFTA Awards===
{{awards table}} !{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|- | 2013 | ''Dear Esther'' | Best Audio | {{nominated}} | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| |- | rowspan="2"|2016 | rowspan="2"|''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' | Best Audio | {{won}} |- | Best Music | {{won}} |}
===D.I.C.E. Awards===
{{awards table}} !{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2016 | ''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' | rowspan="2" | Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2016&idGame=1433 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Everybody's Gone to the Rapture |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=18 March 2024}}</ref> |- | 2021 | ''Little Orpheus'' | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2021&idGame=1744 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Little Orpheus |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=18 March 2024}}</ref> |}
=== Ivor Novello Awards ===
{{Awards table}} |- ! scope="row" | 2020 | ''Little Orpheus'' | Best Original Video Game Score | {{nom}} {{end}}
=== MCV Women in Games Awards ===
{{Awards table}} |- ! scope="row" | 2018 | ''Jessica Curry'' | Outstanding Contribution | {{won}} {{end}}
=== Game Audio Network Guild Awards ===
{{Awards table}} |- ! scope="row" | 2012 | ''Dear Esther'' | Best Audio | {{Nom}} |- ! scope="row" | 2013 | ''Jessica Curry'' | Rookie of the Year | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | 2013 | ''Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs'' | Best Soundtrack | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | 2013 | ''Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs'' | Best Original Vocal: Songs | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | 2016 | ''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' | Music of the Year | {{nom}} |- ! scope="row" | 2016 | ''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' | Best Interactive Score | {{nom}} |- ! scope="row" | 2016 | ''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' | Best Mix | {{nom}} |- ! scope="row" | 2016 | ''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' | Best Soundtrack Album | {{nom}} |- ! scope="row" | 2016 | ''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' | Best Original Song | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | 2016 | ''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' | Best Dialogue | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | 2018 | ''So Let Us Melt'' | Best Music for a Casual/Social Game | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | 2018 | ''So Let Us Melt'' | Best Music for an Indie Game | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | 2018 | ''So Let Us Melt'' | Best Sound Design in a Casual/Social Game | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | 2021 | ''Little Orpheus'' | Best new original IP audio | {{nom}} {{end}}
=== Other awards === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year!!Nominee / work !Award !Category !Result !Ref. |- |2012||''Dear Esther'' |TIGA |Best Audio |Won | |- |2012||''Dear Esther'' |Music + Sound |Best Audio |Nominated | |- |2012||''Dear Esther'' |IGF |Excellence in Audio |Nominated | |- |2013||''Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs'' |TIGA |Best Sound |Won | |- |2013||''Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs'' |SXSW |Best Sound |Nominated | |- |2013||''Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs'' |Music + Sound |Best Audio Production |Nominated | |- |2013 |''Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs'' |Music + Sound |Best Sound |Nominated | |- |2015 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |VGMO |Score of the year Cinematic/Orchestral |Nominated | |- |2015 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |VGMO |Western Artist of the Year |Nominated | |- |2015 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |VGMO |Album of the Year |Nominated | |- |2015 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |VGMO |Audio of the Year: Music Production |Nominated | |- |2015 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |TIGA |Audio Design |Nominated | |- |2016 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |Emotional Games Awards |Best Music |Won | |- |2016 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |Game Developer Choice |Best Audio |Nominated | |- |2016 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |SXSW |Excellence in Musical Score |Nominated | |- |2016 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |MOSMA |Best Video Game Music |Won | |- |2016 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |NAVGTR |Best Video Game Music |Won | |- |2016 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |NAVGTR |Song, Original or Adapted |Nominated | |- |2016 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |NAVGTR |Sound Effects |Nominated | |- |2016 |''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |NAVGTR |Use of Sound |Nominated | |- |2021 |''Little Orpheus'' |Develop |Best Audio |Nominated | |- |2021 |''Little Orpheus'' |Music + Sound |Best original composition |Nominated | |}
== Works ==
{| class="wikitable" |+Video games !Year!!Title |- |2008||''Dear Esther'' |- |2009||''Korsakovia'' |- |2013||''Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs'' |- |2015||''Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'' |- |2017||[https://www.thechineseroom.co.uk/games/so-let-us-melt ''So Let Us Melt''] |- |2020||''Little Orpheus'' |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Curry, Jessica}} Category:21st-century English women composers Category:Alumni of the National Film and Television School Category:Alumni of University College London Category:English radio presenters Category:English video game composers Category:English women radio presenters Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Liverpool Category:Radio presenters from Liverpool Category:Musicians from Brighton Category:Year of birth missing (living people)