Sticky Thing reimagines Stevie Wonder for Oakland Symphony
Sticky Thing Music had the honor of contributing to In the Name of Love, the Oakland Symphony’s annual MLK Tribute concert — this year spotlighting the timeless music of Stevie Wonder. Held at the Paramount Theatre, the show was music directed by the legendary Kev Choice and featured powerhouse performances by Bay Area artists, including a reimagined orchestral take on “If It’s Magic” — arranged by Sticky Thing’s Mike Blankenship and performed by rising vocal force, Pher.
This marks Sticky Thing’s first foray into orchestral composition, bringing our signature sound design and layered musicality into conversation with the sweeping textures of a full symphony. Known for creating original music for ads, film, and digital campaigns, this project let us scale that same storytelling energy into a larger-than-life format.
Reimagining Stevie Wonder — a master of harmony, emotion, and innovation — was no small feat. But for us, it was a dream. And getting to arrange for a full orchestra? An entirely new canvas.
“Arranging for orchestra is like painting with every color imaginable,” said Mike Blankenship of Sticky Thing. “So many of the textures we’re used to hearing digitally — strings swelling, horns answering back, subtle woodwind runs — were suddenly alive in the room. It’s a humbling, inspiring format, and one we’re excited to explore more.”
We’re proud to represent Oakland on this stage — and even prouder to push the boundaries of what Sticky Thing Music can do.
