Modern Toys Music was founded in 1986 as an independent music
production company with a clear focus on original music for
advertising and visual media by Kelvyn Hallifax and Lothar
Brandes.
Its roots go back to the creative and technical experience of
musicians, composers and studio producers who had already been
working professionally in the music industry throughout the
1970s and early 1980s. This included work as performing
musicians, songwriters, arrangers, sound designers and studio
musicians, as well as the early development of electronic
keyboard sounds and music technology.
The move into advertising music came naturally from this background. In 1987, Modern Toys received its first Gold Clio in New York for music created for a Marlboro cinema commercial. Further awards and distinctions followed at the Cannes Advertising Festival, ADC Berlin and other international competitions.
Since then, Modern Toys has created original commissioned music for cinema, television, radio and visual media. The productions range from atmospheric and cinematic compositions to contemporary, rhythm-driven music, always developed with the specific picture, narrative and emotional context in mind.
Today, Modern Toys Music combines decades of experience in composition and production with a flexible, contemporary approach to music for film and media. Productions are created in a fully integrated workflow, with composition, recording and production in one hand.
The music is produced in Logic Pro and can be delivered in adaptable formats, including stems and alternative versions. This makes the productions suitable for editing, adaptation and different durations — from complete pieces to short, precisely cut-down versions for visual media.
No AI. Original music. Full control from composition to final production. One step licensing.
Biography Lothar Brandes
Born in Braunschweig, Germany, Lothar Brandes began playing the piano at an early age. During his school years he was active in several bands, initially as a drummer and later as a guitarist. In 1973 he founded his own band, Holde Fee, playing Hammond organ and organ bass. That same year, the band released its debut album, Malaga, on Intercord.
After graduating from high school, Brandes studied music education in Braunschweig and completed additional studies at the University of Music and Drama in Hanover. At the same time, he taught piano improvisation as a lecturer at the University of Education in Braunschweig. This was followed by arrangements and compositions for theatre productions at the Schlosstheater Celle.
From 1981 to 1987, Brandes wrote songs and lyrics for his band, which by then had changed its name to FEE. The renowned guitarist Andreas Becker joined the group, and FEE toured extensively throughout Germany and Switzerland during the Neue Deutsche Welle era. The band's four albums — Notaufnahme (Gruner & Jahr / Marifon), Rezeptfrei (TELDEC), Schizofeenie (TELDEC) and Große Taten, krumme Dinger (ARIOLA) — sold more than 120,000 copies.
From 1983 onwards, Brandes became increasingly involved in the programming and development of his own keyboard sounds. Working with a small team of electronics specialists, he developed sound cartridges and the SVMX-1 expander for Yamaha's innovative DX-7 keyboard. To market these products, he founded the company Sound Vertrieb.
In 1984, Brandes was faced with a choice between joining House
of Music in Munich as a sound designer or working as a studio
musician in Hamburg. He chose the latter. During a studio
session he met the musician and producer who would later become
his long-term creative partner. Kelvyn Hallifax and Lothar
Brandes founded Modern Toys Music in 1986 as a music production
company specializing in advertising music.
Winning a Gold Clio in New York in 1987 for a Marlboro cinema
commercial marked the beginning of a successful career in music
for advertising. Another Gold Clio followed, along with
numerous awards and distinctions at the Cannes Advertising
Festival, ADC Berlin and other international events. Modern
Toys continues to produce commissioned music for cinema,
television and radio commercials.
Alongside his work as a musician, composer and producer, Brandes co-founded the CC – Composers Club, the professional association representing commissioned composers in Germany. Since 1989, the organization has advocated for the interests of composers working in advertising, film and other commissioned music.
As a lecturer, Brandes has contributed to a wide range of seminars and workshops, including the Spotworkshop Frankfurt, Hamburger Dialog, Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, and the Jazz and Rock Workshop Salzgitter. He has also appeared as a guest on Günter Jauch's Stern TV.