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Distant Worlds To Collide With Japan in November

July 20, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 3 Comments Share this

We had a blast at the Distant Worlds record release party last night. While we were able to ask Uematsu a few questions about some of his projects, the answers we got weren’t at all satisfying, but at least Arnie Roth had a bit of news for us. Apparently Distant Worlds is making its way to Japan in November 6th and 7th. This is a big deal not only because this is a US-based Final Fantasy production making its way to Japan, but also because it’s been quite some time since Japan has seen a Final Fantasy-centric performance like this.

While more details are surely to be announced soon, Arnie Roth noted that there would be some new material included from Final Fantasy XIV. I can’t imagine fans in Japan won’t respond positively to this show with Uematsu directly behind it, and after VGL’s stop in Japan last year, it’s cool to see Distant Worlds getting the same opportunity.

Have you been to a Distant Worlds performance and have your own impressions? Does the show stand up to events like Tour de Japon and Voices which have hit Japan in the past?
Featured, Game Music

Distant Worlds Record Release Party: FFXIII Cosplay and More Beer Apparel (Gallery)

July 20, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 5 Comments Share this

Between their stops in San Francisco last week and the upcoming show at Comic Con this coming Thursday, Nobuo Uematsu and the Distant Worlds team took a break from the show in Los Angeles at the Royal/T cafe/art gallery/book shop (yes, it’s a strange place) for a special Distant Worlds II record release party. While Distant Worlds hasn’t been to Los Angeles yet (there were hints that a show might be coming next year), over 100 fans turned out to this special event to get signed CDs, posters, and photos with Uematsu and Arnie Roth.

It was a very successful event I’d say, and we have a gallery from the evening’s festivities, including shots of the line that started a whole hour and half before the doors opened, some FFXIII cosplayers (I guess it doesn’t matter that Uematsu didn’t score FFXIII), and of course Uematsu’s latest beer-themed apparel. I even asked Uematsu about The Last Story and his “Best of” album that he mentioned in the past.

All of this and more after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Distant Worlds II Record Release Party Coming to Los Angeles!

July 8, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Distant Worlds II Record Release Party Coming to Los Angeles! Share this

If you haven’t picked up the Distant Worlds II album yet (shame on you), here’s your chance. AWR Music Productions is putting on a record release party in Los Angeles on July 19th, right between the San Francisco performances on July 15th and 16th and the San Diego performance on July 22nd. This is a great chance to meet Nobuo Uematsu, get your photo taken, and walk away with some signed swag in the process.

The event is being held at the Royal/T art exhibit in Culver City, just outside of Los Angeles. Tickets to the event are currently on sale for $60, which includes admission to the event as well as the a signed copy of the Distant Worlds II CD and their new limited edition poster, signed by both Arnie Roth and Nobuo Uematsu. Oh, and cosplay is welcome, so dust off those fake mustaches and spectacles and dress up like Nobuo Uematsu. Please?

You can read more about the event on the official Distant Worlds II website.

What do you think of the US getting this kind of event? Will you be checking it out, and more importantly, will you be dressing up for the occasion?
Game Music, Reviews

Isn’t It Beautiful? Distant Worlds II: more music from FINAL FANTASY (Review)

May 5, 2010 | Audun Sorlie | 10 Comments Share this

Distant Worlds is today one of the most respected touring videogame music concert around. With its source being the endlessly amazing Final Fantasy series, and the combined minds of many of the best in the videogame music scene, it’s not hard to see why fans and music lovers of all kinds line up time and time again to hear the concert as it rolls into town. In 2007 we got Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy and like the concerts, the CD is one of the very best videogame orchestra recordings of all time.

Come June 1, 2010, we’ll once again be tickled by Nobuo’s musical mustache and load up Distant Worlds II: more music from Final Fantasy. With this CD, the main focus is on the later titles in the series from Final Fantasy V and up, and some major fan favorites are represented. However AWR decided to release the album in digital form last week, so here we are, giving you an insight into the newest Final Fantasy orchestra album.

Read the review after the jump! (more…)
Game Music

Not So Distant Worlds: New CD And Shows Coming Soon!

April 10, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

We told you that Distant Worlds II was on the way back in December, and wow does time fly. The new show with an all new line-up of arrangements and a new CD release (which was just recorded in January) to go along with it is right around the corner, and a number of shows have been announced, many of which are hitting the west coast, and many which will feature the man himself in attendance.

The tour will be hitting Stockholm, Sweden on June 12, 2010 with the debut of Distant Worlds II, where Uematsu will be in attendance. They will then travel to San Francisco on for two concerts on the evenings of July 15 and 16 with both Uematsu and vocalist Susan Calloway traveling out for the performances. It’s then down to OSV’s backyard in San Diego on July 22, 2010, and then on to Houston, Washington DC, Chicago, and Toronto (with Uematsu) to take us through November 2010. Meet and greet tickets will be available at shows that Uematsu will be attending, and AWR Music Productions is promising more show announcements in the coming months.

Are you looking forward to the revamped series? Are you with me in hoping they’ve included “Troian Beauty” from Final Fantasy IV?
Game Music

PLAY! is Coming to Oregon in April With Jeremy Soule

April 3, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

Yes, PLAY! A Videogame Symphony is still alive and kicking, and will be coming to Eugene, OR on April 24, 2010. The performance will take place in the Silva Concert Hall at 7:30 PM and will feature the Eugene Symphony and Eugene Symphony Choir. Jeremy Soule will also be in attendance, which is a rare treat.

This news prompted me to check out the tour’s official website, where I discovered something else of interest. As it turns out, Andy Brick is now the tour’s Principal Conductor and Music Director, a role that was originally held by Arnie Roth. I guess it’s official that he’s not longer involved with the series. Andy Brick should sound vaguely familiar to you, as he’s worked on a number of concerts, including Europe’s GC (Games Convention) series, and also has orchestrated a number of game titles over the years.

What do you think of the news? Will you be headed to Eugene, OR to hear PLAY! and meet Jeremy Soule?
Game Music

A Night of Firsts: Final Fantasy Distant Worlds Chicago Impressions

December 24, 2009 | Brian Davis | 6 Comments Share this

[Editor’s Note: Shota and I had a blast at the Distant Worlds performance in San Francisco earlier this year, but unfortunately we couldn’t make it this time around. We were, however, able to send contributor Brian Davis, who had also attended the Distant Worlds US debut in Chicago in 2008. He comments on the new “Dancing Mad,” “J-E-N-O-V-A” and Final Fantasy XIV segments that we’ve been talking about for months, so read on!]

The Final Fantasy-themed concert series Distant Worlds has enthralled fans of the series since its inception, and the performance on December 12th, 2009 in Chicago was no different. Arnie Roth once again directed the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra and the Elmhurst College Orchestra through a set that encompassed music from Final Fantasy games old and new, and I braved the beginnings of another Chicago winter to see it. The show took place at the Rosemont Theater as it did last year, and featured the same large screen over the orchestra to show game footage and video during the show.

Read on for our impressions of this special performance that featuring music from Final Fantasy XIV and other special segments. (more…)