One of the most exciting parts of working in sync is seeing music come to life on screen—how a track can transform a moment, elevate a scene, and stay with viewers long after the credits roll.
This month, I sat down with Grey's Anatomy music supervisor Justin Kamps and artist Half Measure to hear the story behind the placement of the track First Light in Grey’s Anatomy S22, Ep. 5. From the first notes to the final scene, we dig into how the song found its way into the show, what the process was like, and the lessons they learned along the way.
Justin Kamps (Music Supervisor, Grey's Anatomy)
Jelena Grozdanich: What initially drew you to First Light when you were selecting music for this episode?
Justin Kamps: I initially found this song while working on a pitch for an entirely different scene. I was looking for a fairly lengthy song that grew throughout and didn’t sound too repetitive over the duration of the song. The warm sound and soft vocals of First Light immediately drew me in. The whole track just has this overall, magical sound to it, and that's why I ended up pitching it for the original scene.
JG: How did the song help shape or heighten the emotion of the scene?
JK: The song didn’t work quite right for everyone for the earlier scene, but we were able to come back to it for a scene in the fifth episode of the 22nd season of Grey’s Anatomy. The song beautifully plays under a happier and quieter moment at the hospital before tragedy strikes. As it does, the song builds and enhances the desperate, and ultimately hopeless, situation that unfolds before we cut to black.
JG: What is it about Soundstripe’s catalog or experience that makes it a trusted resource for you?
JK: I’ve worked with Soundstripe across multiple projects now, and they’ve always been a wonderful sync partner. Quality music, quick responses, and a team that clearly loves what they do!
Half Measure (Artist, "First Light")
JG: How did it feel to hear First Light in that pivotal scene on Grey’s Anatomy?
Half Measure: It was a surreal experience for me. It’s a strange feeling hearing my music in such an iconic show that has earned its place in pop culture. When I heard it, I felt a small part of my story, my experience, and my emotions meld with the characters’ own stories, experiences, and emotions. It always feels good to be a part of something meaningful in that way.
JG: When you watched the episode, did anything about the scene resonate with the message or mood of your song?
HM: The song is about new beginnings. Simone’s mother’s friend dies after telling her to let go of all the guilt she had been carrying. And although there was a lot of emotion in Simone’s reaction, it signifies a new life for her—one free of the guilt she’s been holding onto. I think the music really played to that emotion. They could have easily picked a more dramatic or tense song for that moment, but it would have taken away from Simone’s journey.
JG: What does it mean for you as an artist to have your music featured in a show like Grey’s Anatomy, and how does it influence your creative journey?
HM: I think it’s just confirmation that if I make music that’s true to who I am, it will resonate with others. The longer I’ve been in the world of sync music, the more I’ve realized the importance of writing songs that I genuinely like and get excited about. The moment you try to write for a certain placement or TV show, you lose a little bit of what makes your music special in the first place. So I’ll keep writing music that I love and trust that it will connect with others the same way it connects with me.
Grey's Anatomy, season 22, episode 5, is available now on Hulu.
