MUSIC
I'm sure we all know at least one famous track from a video game by heart. Whether it's the theme from Mario or the Final Fantasy victory jingle, these tracks can define a game, or even a game series. The hard work of various composers is what can create the mood for a game. A happy upbeat track, a mournful slow requiem, a slow creepy ambience, or even a driving rhythm; all these help set the feeling for an area in the game, and its thanks to the composers for this.
Some famous composers are Nobuo Uematsu, of Final Fantasy fame; Yoko Shimomura, who composed the tracks for the Kingdom Hearts series and some from Super Mario RPG; Tommy Tallarico, an American who has had his music in many games; Koji Kondo, who has created the epic tracks behind the likes of Zelda and Mario; and Motoi Sakuraba, who has composed for games such as Tales of Phantasia and Golden Sun. But there are other, lesser-known composers. A few examples of these are Yasunori Mitsuda, who composed the soundtracks for the Chrono games; Dave Wise, who created the great tracks in the Donkey Kong Country games; and Koichi Sugiyama, the composer for the Dragon Quest games.
Along with these composers are ordinary people who "remix" video game music. One of the biggest sites for these "remixers" is OverClocked ReMix, located at ocremix.org. Founded by David W. Lloyd, also known as djpretzel in 2000, the site now boasts nearly 2000 remixes (more than that counting all tracks from their official albums) and features a large community of members and remixers. Some of the remixers have even had their music in video games, such as Dain Olsen, or Beatdrop, in DDR, and Andrew Aversa, or zircon, in Super Street Fighter II HD. OCR was even contracted to make the soundtrack for Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix!
Another such site is vgmix.com. While not as organized as OCR, it still boasts a ton of remixes. And some of OCR's remixers have tracks posted there. The Dwelling of Duels is also hosted at VGMix. You can find that at dod.vgmix.com. There is also a mirror for the older duels there too. There are some great tracks there too, in my humble opinion.
Video game music is something that can reach out and transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, the dark into the frightening, the bright into the happy. It is something that is a vital part of the game, and without it some parts of the game may be lost. Next time, part two of my video game music article, featuring an interview with one of OCR's own. Until then, game on!
[originally written August 29, 2008, modified February 4, 2010 for updated information]
Posted on: February 04, 2010, 22:07:05
As we all know, music can affect people in more ways then simple words or sounds. Whether it's a lyrical masterpiece with words that you can directly relate to, or an instrumental piece with a driving rhythm that makes you want to move, music can reach down into our souls and speak to us. Video game music is even more emotional, because unlike normal songs that you'd hear on the radio, video game music can match specific scenes with a moody tune, or give a tropical feel to a game that takes place across a fictional Southern Pacific archipelago (if you know what game I'm talking about, have this.
). And there are people who can take a tropical tune and remix it, to give it a mellow feel, like you're sipping a drink from a coconut shell, lounging on the beach watching the sun set over the aquatic horizon. One of these remixers is Chris Roman, known as Hemophiliac. While not as prolific on the main site, he has worked on five of OCR's 15 remixes, and also worked on their upcoming Donkey Kong Country 2 album, Serious Monkey Business, upping his ratio to six of 16. With that, he will have worked on the most albums of any remixer. I recently chatted with him, and here's the result of our interview.
Mirby: First off, what started your interest in video-game music, and remixing it?
Hemophiliac: As far as video game music interest goes... I recall being in my early teens and speaking to my cousin, saying, "I wish I could hear the music from Zelda played by a live orchestra." I always remember liking the music from games more then the stuff I'd hear on the radio. Later on in life when the p2p scene came about I discovered remixes on accident, and that path led me to finding OCR. As far as remixing it... through the site I met analoq, who ended up living around the corner from me. I got to see him work on a few things and see his projects. It seemed like something that I could try out, so I started doing that, and now I'm studying music in school and hoping to eventually make it my career.
M: That's cool. I actually agree with liking game music more than what the radio plays. Okay, any tracks you've done that you are more proud of or like more than the others?
H: Hmm... I'd have to say that the one coming on DKC2, the Lockjaw's Saga remix I feel the most proud of. I put a lot of time and effort into it.
M: Is that going to change after the next one you do?
H: lol I have no idea. I've been working on a number of things right now. The track (called tetanus) is also kinda different for my style, so I'm proud I did something a bit different.
M: Well, if you can break out of your own style, and try something new, that's good. Pulling it off is even better. Are there any remixers you haven't collaborated with in the past that you'd like to collaborate with in the future?
H: I dunno, I've worked with a lot of people. some have actually worked others have fallen through. It all just depends on the time, and the idea.
M: Any tracks you'd like to remix in the future?
H: I already have a "backlog" so to speak.
M: Well, ones that aren't in your backlog. Ones that you would like to do after you've finished the backlogged ones.
H: I have no idea. lol I don't plan that far ahead when it comes to this stuff; it's not that important when it comes to the priorities of life.
M: No, not really, I suppose. Do you have a favorite track from a game?
H: No.
M: Do you have a favorite composer?
H: That's a vague question.
M: As in video game music composer. e.g. Nobuo Uematsu, Dave Wise, Tommy Tallarico, etc.
H: mmmk. In that case no. Just letting you know that was vague, or too broad.
M: I understand, that's why I made it more detailed. Lastly, do you enjoy remixing?
H: Absolutely.
M: Elaborate, if you will.
H: nothing to elaborate on.
M: Well, in that case... Thank you for your time. I found this informative.
You can find Hemophiliac's page on OCR here:
Artist: Hemophiliac (Chris Roman). Stay tuned for future interviews! Until then, game on!
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