Having grown up in a musical family where he was the least musically talented (including the pets), Stewart played trumpet throughout public school and taught himself piano at the age of 14.

In college he drove roommates, friends, family and neighbors crazy as he experimented with synthesizers, field recording, signal processing and pioneering the “Monkey at a Typewriter” technique of composing.

Previous attempts at making a living included professional stand-up comedy, advertising copywriting, producing promos for ABC News, sound design for Sesame Street and egg donation.