The video game music scene is a vast one, with a growing community that continues to bolster itself regularly. Certainly with events whose core is centered around video game music, such as MAGFest and Gamer’s Rhapsody, as well as the niche industry of game music expanding through both fan projects and composer collaborations, new names pop up in the scene regularly. This is especially true with new performers and bands that dedicate themselves to the celebration of video game music.
Enter Moiré Effect. What is Moiré Effect? Well, ask a visualist and it’s the spacing effect when two sets of patterns are laid on top of one another. So, what does this have to do with video game music? According to the band, it didn’t start out with a dedication to games music and beyond.
Orchestral game music concerts are popping up in ever-increasing numbers these days and to set themselves apart each one seems to be trying something new. One of the latest performances is ‘An Evening of Videogame Music’ from the Leeds International Festival Orchestra that’s happening on April 25th at the University of Leeds in England.
Putting a focus on local and UK developed indie titles, the night will see the first live performances of David Wise’s compositions for Snake Pass and Barrington Pheloung’s music from the classic adventure series, Broken Sword. Revolution Software co-founder, Charles Cecil, will be on hand to introduce the Broken Sword performance.
‘An Evening of Videogame Music’ will also feature a piece from The Chinese Room’s Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture written by Jessica Curry, and exclusive music from the upcoming Yooka-Laylee from renowned games composer Grant Kirkhope. Music from Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls and Fallout will also be performed during the two-hour show. Tickets are available now from Luna Tickets for £22.00 and as always, let us know with a comment if you attend the show.
Yesterday marked the 21st anniversary of the American release of Square’s beloved time-traveling JRPG, Chrono Trigger. Now that Chrono Trigger is legal to drink here in the states, the good folks at Overclocked Remix decided to throw it a party; in the form of a jazz tribute album! Chronology: A Jazz Tribute to Chrono Trigger features eight tracks from the Overclocked Jazz Collective; a group featuring artists such as Nostalvania, DrumUltima and the project’s own director, Dylan “Wiesty” Wiest.
Through some fluke, I was able to assemble my own “dream team” of musicians and arrangers on OC ReMix who all shared a passion for jazz and video game music. I felt Chrono Trigger would be an ideal candidate for our first release given the game’s quickly approaching 20th anniversary and the fact that Mitsuda’s music lends itself so well to jazz and improvisation. The musicians and artists on this album have put in countless hours of practice and recording to produce an album which I think sounds authentic and natural. Jazz is a social music best captured in the moment… and while the production process of this album was anything but “in the moment,” I think the album’s sound and cohesiveness will speak for itself. – Dylan Wiest, Chronology Project Director
This marks the second album Overclocked Remix has produced in tribute to Chrono Trigger; the first being Chrono Symphonic in 2006.
You can download the entire Chronology album for free on several mirrors hosted on their OCRemix website. Between this and the Chronicles of Time mega album from earlier this year, Chrono Trigger and it’s gorgeous soundtrack by Yasunori Mitsuda is definitely getting the love it rightfully deserves.
GameChops has announced the release of their big Summer album Hopes & Dreams by Arcien with an accompanying music video. Hopes & Dreams is a remix album dedicated to the indie fan favorite, Undertale. Unlike the label’s previous Undertale album — Undertale Remixed by Holder — Hopes & Dreams takes a different approach to the massive amount of music from the game.
“While Holder focused largely on character themes, Hopes & Dreams sets out to adapt the setting and story of Undertale in a musical form. From the future house intro, “Once Upon a Time,” to the 80’s synthwave “Thunder Snails,” to the dark, drum and bass boss battle “Your Best Nightmare,” Arcien hits all the major plot points of the Undertale story. Thoughtful transitions make the album a joy to listen to, front to back.”
Hopes & Dreams is available to purchase on Loudr, iTunes, Amazon and Google Play or can be streamed on Spotify. You can also check out the music video above for the track “Your Best Nightmare” to get a feel for Arcien’s interpretation of Undertale’s music.
Covering and promoting discussion of composers and music with a focus on video games and other contemporary media entertainment
![Chronology_Front [OA]](http://www.originalsoundversion.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Front-OA.png "Chronology_Front [OA]")
