Pressure Cooker Studios

15/06/2026

We're stoked to announce that Pressure Cooker Studios' Senior Composer, Ben Schutte, has been selected to join the South African delegation attending Game Camp France 2026. We wish him all the best as he jets off today to represent South African game Music and Audio on the global stage.

Having recently Composed Music for Riot Games' League of Legends and previously contributed to the Original Soundtrack for Manor Lords, Ben will join developers, publishers and industry leaders from around the world to connect, collaborate and explore new opportunities for South African talent.

A huge thank you to Interactive Entertainment South Africa (IESA) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) for their continued investment in the growth of South Africa's games industry and for creating opportunities like this for local developers and creatives.

Special thanks to Pieter Koornhof and Danteya Reece Charles from Catalyze for the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes to help build meaningful international pathways for South African studios.

15/06/2026

We are excited to announce another collaboration with Riot Games, this time for the brand-new champion Locke.

Getting the opportunity to Compose the Original Music for Back from the Brink, the new Locke Champion Cinematic for League of Legends, is huge for us.

For this score, we infused our Future Cinematic Sound, working alongside incredible local talent and incorporating African vocal textures into the storytelling to create something both globally resonant and uniquely our own.

Big-ups to our collaborators:
Riot Games
League of Legends

Music Supervision: Vitaly Shenderovsky
Vocals: Asandisa Siswana and Zolina Ngejana

Music By: Pressure Cooker
Composed By: Elben Schutte
Additional Composition: Cobus Schutte
Creative Director: James Matthes
Creative Producer: Astrid Iverson
Guitars: Cobus Schutte

https://youtu.be/dA0ndvUdfW4

Riot Games, Inc.Music Supervisor: Vitaly ShenderovskyMusic by: P...

12/06/2026

The 'From Dust We Spin' Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, composed by Pressure Cooker Studios and Senior Composer Andries Smit for Director Julia Jansch’s highly anticipated film, is out now.

Inspired by Cape Flats car-spinning culture, the soundtrack blends high-energy rhythm and gritty emotional textures, brought to life by the powerful vocals of acclaimed South African artist Makhadzi, whose unmistakable voice and infectious energy have made her one of the continent’s most celebrated performers.

Streaming now on all major platforms: https://bit.ly/4fxsmix

12/06/2026

When two brands that have shared South African tables, braais, and celebrations for generations finally end up in the same pack, you stop asking questions and simply enjoy the moment.

The Pressure Music Catalogue track 'We Will Be Remembered' provided the perfect soundtrack to the campaign's hero moments, delivering the emotional impact of Original Music without the lead time of a custom Composition. Combined with Sound Design and Final Mix, it helped bring this wonderfully unexpected campaign to life.

And if there was ever a campaign that was going to live up to the name 'We Will Be Remembered', it was this one. Heinz × Heineken. Iconic.

Big-ups to our collaborators:
Brand Collaboration: Heinz x Heineken
Advertising Agency: LePub
Advertising Agency: TheKitchen_KraftHeinz

Brand and Creative Strategist at Kraft Heinz: Billy Slater
Creative Director at The Kitchen: Johann Schwella
LePub Executive Creative Directors: Gastón Soto Denegri, Jack Smedley
LePub Account Director: Amira Ramadan

Production Company: LITTLEBIG
Business Unit Director: Katie James
Head of Production: Elmaree Bohm
Production Manager: Marné Mans
Head of Creative: Rob Smith

Post Production: Then post
3D creative director: Paul Speirs
Compositor/3D artists: Rowan Jackson, Riaan Myburgh

Music and Audio Studio: Pressure Cooker Studios
Head of Production: Astrid Iverson
Music Supervisor: Katryn Niewuoudt
Catalogue Composer: Keith Kavayi
Catalogue Track: We Will Be Remembered
Production and Arrangement: Elben Schutte
Sound Design and Final Mix: Alex Smillie

Brand Collaboration: Heinz x Heineken Advertising Agency: LePubA...

11/06/2026

Introducing our first sample pack collection in partnership with Loopmasters and Loopcloud, leading platforms for Producers and Music Creators worldwide.

Created by Pressure Cooker Studios and headed by Composer Keith Kavayi, this collection brings authentic African sounds to global Music Producers, Composers and Beat-Makers: Afro Roots, featuring the Ngoni, Marimba and Talking Drum; Afro Vocals; and Afro Guitarscapes, all performed by authentic African musicians.

Built from years of recording, experimentation and creative exploration, each pack captures the essence of our Future Cinematic Sound.

Now available worldwide on Loopmasters and Loopcloud.

10/06/2026

We recently welcomed the current cohort from Bridges for Music to Pressure Cooker Studios for a behind-the-scenes tour and a chance to share some insights into the Music and Audio Industry.

There’s something incredibly special about opening up our sacred space to young creatives who are curious, enthusiastic, and eager to learn. From Original Composition and Sound Design across Commercial and Narrative projects to Post-Production and the realities of working in the industry, it was a great opportunity to share a little of what we do and why we love doing it.

A big thank you to the Bridges for Music and students for bringing such great energy.

We can’t wait to see where your journeys take you.

04/06/2026

In a world constantly asking us to create more, what does it mean to create with intention?

In his latest thought leadership piece, CEO James Matthes reflects on choosing authenticity over algorithms, sharing less for the sake of visibility and more when there is something meaningful to say.

A reflection on vulnerability, creativity, and the importance of building real connections in a world moving faster than ever.

Read the full piece now.

This post is a form of an explanation for the space between my posts on this platform. The expectation and pressure to show up consistently, to stay visible, to keep pace with an algorithm that never really pauses, has a way of pulling you into a cadence that is not always your own.

02/06/2026

A big shout out to our collaborators Ogilvy Cape Town and Giant Films on Sunbet’s latest TVC, which recently made the Top 6 on Best Ads on TV worldwide alongside work from the US, Germany, India, and the UK.

What makes this piece so special is how proudly South African it is. Rooted in township culture and inspired by the everyday humour, characters, and moments found on the streets of Soweto, it tells a story that feels authentic, local, and unmistakably ours.

We were proud to compose the Original Music for the campaign, taking a well-known classical melody and reimagining it through an Amapiano lens to match the playful energy, humour, and personality of the film.

Big ups to everyone involved in bringing this one to life: https://bit.ly/42elizG

02/06/2026

We created a living sonic identity for the MarkLives Mark Awards, moving beyond a static sonic logo into a flexible audio ecosystem built around jazz, improvisation, human connection, and live performance.

Designed to feel “always different, always human”, the sonic identity reflects the spirit of an industry coming together around one table.

A big thank you to Herman and Prakash from MarkLives for the opportunity and collaboration.

Stay tuned for more.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4viYxac

Pressure Cooker Studios has developed a comprehensive sonic identity system for The Mark Awards, moving the brand beyond a static mnemonic into a fully articulated audio ecosystem.

29/05/2026

We’re hiring!

Pressure Cooker Studios is looking for an Administration and Front of House Coordinator to help keep our Cape Town studio running smoothly.

You’ll support across administration, client care, studio coordination, bookings, and day-to-day operations in a fast-moving music and audio post-production environment.

If you’re organised, people-focused, calm under pressure, and enjoy bringing order to creative chaos, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/49jRTIf