Wedren began his career as the singer and primary songwriter for Washington, D.C.-based
Shudder to Think, a band that started out in the hardcore music scene, only to challenge the aesthetics and limitations of this then-emerging musical genre. After breaking indie music tradition by signing with
Epic Records (Sony Music), Shudder to Think released three major label albums including their opus
Pony Express Record. Shudder to Think toured widely with bands like
Smashing Pumpkins,
Fugazi, and
Pearl Jam, and their videos were featured in regular rotation on
MTV. At the peak of their career, a battle with
Hodgkin's Disease grounded Wedren and the band, but following successful treatments Shudder to Think returned with a new goal in mind – to create music for film. With Shudder to Think, Wedren scored the independent films
First Love Last Rites, and
High Art, and contributed music to the film
Velvet Goldmine. Shortly after making the transition to film work, the band dissolved their partnership, and Wedren continued his dual career as both film composer and solo artist. As a composer, Wedren has scored a host of popular feature films including
Wanderlust,
Role Models,
School of Rock,
Wet Hot American Summer,
By the People: The Election of Barack Obama,
Laurel Canyon,
Reno 911!: Miami,
Roger Dodger,
The Baxter, and
Boxers and Ballerinas. Wedren has also written and performed music for the television shows
Hung,
United States of Tara,
Reno 911!,
Stella,
The State, ''
The Whitest Kids U' Know, Dawson's Creek, Bones and Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23''. In 2004, Wedren released a recording by his band Baby, which was in an electronic dance vein, but distinguished by glam and pop sensibilities. In addition to Wedren, Baby's lineup also included Amy Miles (
The Citizens Band), Charles Scott, Lee Mars (
Nine Inch Nails), Alex Edinburgh, and Brad Vander Ark (
The Verve Pipe). in 2007 While continuing to grow creatively and commercially as a composer, Wedren has also developed a career as a solo artist. In 2005 he released his first solo album
Lapland on the Team Love label, after which he toured supporting
Foo Fighters, and Greg Dulli of
Afghan Whigs. In September 2011, Wedren released
Wand. To accompany the release of
Wand, Wedren toured the United States with
Chris Cornell, and he worked with director Tim Nackashi to create a series of 360-degree interactive videos. In 2012, Wedren re-released recordings by his band Baby. The release included previously unreleased demos, and mixes, as well as a mixed tape which includes covers, and other unreleased material. Wedren has also contributed vocals to the musical act Tweaker with Chris Vrenna, formerly of
Nine Inch Nails,
The Verve Pipe's self-titled album, the musical act Cex, The Dead Science's album
Villainaire and
Someone To Run Away From with Pocket, Jherek Bischoff, and a
Fleetwood Mac cover with St. Vincent on Fleetwood Mac Tribute record
Just Tell Me That You Want Me. Wedren wrote the theme for and was a regular extra on MTV's
The State and was close friends with many members of the show. Wedren also played a part in 2009's
I Love You, Man as a member of the wedding band, as well a role in David Wain's 2012 film
Wanderlust. He is a regular player with Wain's cover band the
Middle Aged Dad Jam Band. Wedren also wrote and performed the title track for the movie
Balls of Fury. Additionally, he wrote the song "Bondage" for the movie soundtrack. In 2021, Wedren and
Anna Waronker collaborated on the soundtrack to
Showtime's
Yellowjackets. The original theme song
No Return, for the opening credits, was composed by the duo, alongside the score for the show. They also collaborated on the soundtrack for
Hulu's
Shrill in 2019. ==Personal life==