MAGFest 9

Indie Music

Just Who Are The Protomen? Let’s Find Out!

February 1, 2011 | Patrick Gann | 4 Comments Share this

The most surprising act of MAGFest 9 came in the form of “The Protomen.” They actually played two shows, doing Act I and Act II (released as separate albums) back-to-back. But before they got started, I had no idea who they were.

All I knew was that there was a lot of buzz around the convention floor about how amazing they are, especially live. I figured they were just going to do a bunch of Mega Man cover tunes. Boy, was I wrong.

This 10-person rock band developed their own multi-act rock opera based very loosely around the major characters of the Mega Man franchise. The music is entirely original, and entirely crazy. This was some of the most insane performance art I think I will ever see at a convention. Stage props, speaking roles, and a die-hard fanbase that could sing along to every last word. To say that I was intrigued after first seeing them perform is a gross understatement.

But am I really the only one to have not known about them? As it turns out, I wasn’t alone at all. Though The Protomen do have a relatively large cult following, I’d estimate that about half of the MAGFest attendees, the “regulars,” were in the same boat as me. Some where disgruntled over the fact that they weren’t the same “kind” of band as the others. Other Protomen newbies became instant acolytes, diving into their strange, dark, exotic and fun brand of rock and roll.

You can count me with the latter.

It’s primarily because so many in the game music fan-scene haven’t yet heard of The Protomen that I’ve decided to put together a short biographical featurette, which you can find after the jump. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this. (more…)
Chip Music, Experimental, Game Music

(Almost) Live From MAGFest 9: Chiptune Concerts (Photos)

February 1, 2011 | Audun Sorlie | 1 Comment Share this

Earlier we showed you the sweaty pig bin that makes up the ever-so-awesome MAGFest concerts, which should be the main reason for anyone to attend the convention. But not every show is dedicated to the arrangement of pre-existing video game sources which triggers the nostalgic buttons in everyone; some actually go the extra mile and perform using the video game hardware itself to create original and diverse tunes, many of which are supreme dance material with feel good spirits contrasting the live instrument side of things nicely. Thanks to our own Josh Kopstein, MAGFest offered one of the best lineups a chiptune fan could ask for.

Set at a more humane hour and calmer than the other concerts, the chiptune show was one of the more memorable of the many which MAG offered and left some great impressions. The pixel art backdrops presented at the show were done by NO CARRIER and enso, two world-traveling tech wiz’s who have mastered this fine art of producing live generated graphics by using custom software running on NES consoles and other devices. It all made for a smaller yet more welcoming atmosphere to all the shows as lines and fans were more focused towards the acts as a whole. Thanks to Emi Spicer, we have some wonderful photos along with our impressions to share.

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Game Music

Danny B Says “Nice To Meat You!” – Super Meat Boy OST Review

January 26, 2011 | Patrick Gann | 2 Comments Share this

If you’re into indie games and indie game music, the MAGFest event quickly becomes a star-studded event. One such star is Danny Baranowsky, composer of the runaway hit XBLA title Super Meat Boy. The game sold like hotcakes, in no small part due to its incredibly fun, addictive, and challenging gameplay as a puzzle/platformer.

But, even in passing, one cannot help but notice the super-hip music to this wonderful game. That’s why I was so excited when I bumped into the composer, who was selling copies of the limited edition double-disc soundtrack that he kept in his backpack. I’d played a couple hours of SMB at a friend’s house and wanted to dig deeper into the soundtrack. Here was the opportunity, literally standing in front of me.

Props to Danny for independently printing this two disc set, which was just released on January 11th (the week before MAGFest). We’re going to slice this meaty package apart after the jump; you’ll not want to miss it! (more…)
Doujin, Game Music

Steamy Stemage Talks MAGFest, Alpha Squad and Metroid Metal

January 25, 2011 | Audun Sorlie | 1 Comment Share this

Photo by Chris Serani

One of the best parts of an event such as MAGFest is to see all the recurring faces which have now aged and matured in the year’s time that passed since we all last saw one another. Friends, artists and vendors all have new stories to share, filled with excitement (or letdowns) from the year that has passed by, making each conversation more interesting than the last.

One of the men that had new things to share was none other than Grant Henry, better known as Metroid Metal’s frontman and leader Grant “Stemage” Henry. It’s been a busy year for him with his projects and ambitions taking off and leading him into both familiar territories as well as all new endeavors. In the sea of sweat and the poorly-concealed flab that inhabits the MAGFest floor space, us fit dudes managed to get a few minutes of down time to talk about some of these projects that Henry has been working on.

(more…)
Doujin, Game Music

OverClocked ReMix Shows Their Strength At MAGFest

January 22, 2011 | Patrick Gann | 1 Comment Share this

I was late arriving at MAGFest, in many senses of the word (I skipped the first day, and then the traffic/parking fiasco held me up for much of the second day). The first thing I actually did when I arrived at the convention? I headed to one of the Panel rooms to hear from the fine folks at OverClocked ReMix (abbreviated OCR).

This panel served as a lengthy advertisement for the long-running fan-based VGM community. The event opened with OCR artists doing a live performance of their well-known rock arrangement “wander on the offensive” (from Shadow of the Colossus).

After this, the panelists, all arrangers, performers, and judges for the site, presented current and future activities. They highlighted 2010 album releases, including the first in a five-part series for Final Fantasy V and Donkey Kong Country 2. They talked about future projects, like the upcoming “Heroes Vs. Villains” album, a joint project between OCR and “The Bad Dudes.” Their full list of planned 2011 projects is daunting, though they admit they probably won’t finish all of them this year. Already this year they released the Armored Core tribute album, entitled THE ANSWER.

They also gave away T-shirts and limited edition physical CD prints of their albums throughout the event. I nabbed a shirt, but it was Medium (whereas my body size is LARGE AND IN CHARGE!), so I gave it to a friend.

More important than the album announcements or the freebies, however, was the time dedicated to highlighting the success of OCR contributors. The site’s founder, David “djpretzel” Lloyd, got somewhat sentimental when he noted the accomplishments of OCR members. Jimmy Hinson did work on Mass Effect 2. Other OCR members are working with BioWare on the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic. And so many more are doing original compositions for indie games, such as Danny B. on Super Meat Boy.

In describing all these successes, djpretzel told the audience that this is what he envisioned from the moment OCR was born. He wanted to see many fans of games and game music come together and express themselves by arranging these classic VGM tracks. But in doing that, he knew that people would hone their skills, and he always believed the site had the potential to serve as a springboard for musicians to move on to bigger and better things. These days, he’s saying that dream come true, and that’s something everybody can be happy about.

As always, OSV will continue to cover OCR’s contributions to the game music scene. On a personal note, I would like to thank the OCR panelists for coming to MAGFest and presenting what they did; being my first taste of MAGFest 9, it set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
Featured, Game Music

Hiroki Kikuta Survives MAGFest, Answers Questions

January 21, 2011 | Patrick Gann | 5 Comments Share this

A surprise last-minute special guest for MAGFest 9, Hiroki Kikuta flew over from Japan in what is his second visit to the east coast in a rather short span of time. Fans will remember he attended Otakon 2010 in Baltimore last August, so it was certainly unexpected that he’d come to the same area again so soon.

Unfortunately for everyone (Kikuta and fans), it wasn’t the world’s most enjoyable trip. Kikuta-san, the composer most famous for Secret of Mana and whose new work Shining Hearts just hit Japanese stores, was an active participant in the festivities on the first day (Thursday). He played a live performance of a new piece of music he’d written, and he volunteered to be a judge in a cooking contest akin to Iron Chef. Apparently, the food made there was atrocious, and Kikuta didn’t hide that fact.

Whether it was the nasty food that sent his immune system into a state of shock, or some combination of jet lag and just finishing his work on Shining Hearts, Hiroki Kikuta awoke Friday feeling rather ill. He spent all of Friday in his hotel room. On Saturday, he mustered enough energy to attend the Q&A panel and subsequent signing that was planned for the afternoon. It was here that he informed fans that, while he’d very much like to mingle with others at JamSpace and elsewhere at MAGFest, he wasn’t sure he’d be feeling any better by Sunday.

Sure enough, he wasn’t.

But we’re still super-appreciative that Kikuta-san powered through what looked like a raging headache/cold/fever combo to meet with MAGFest attendees. The Q&A panel was hosted by my fellow OSV staffers (Chris Ling, Audun Sørlie, Shota Nakama). I sat in the audience to soak it all in, and it certainly wasn’t below me to get my Secret of Mana soundtrack signed.

After the jump, you’ll find out what the fans wanted to ask, and the very… unique… answers that Kikuta gave. It’ll be sure to entertain. (more…)
Doujin, Game Music, Indie Music, Music Production

MAGFest 9: Mustin Lays Down The Funk In Our Stellar Q&A

January 19, 2011 | Patrick Gann | 2 Comments Share this

Photo by Emi Spicer

Mustin, head of OneUp Studios and many of the projects within the OUS umbrella, sat down to talk with us after The OneUps performed at MAGFest. It was at MAGFest that they dropped their newest EP, Intergalactic Redux. I had not yet listened to the album; however, I’d heard the entire album performed live at their show. So I was fully prepared to talk shop about this groovy new album.

After the jump, get the details on Intergalactic Redux and other OUS projects, and/or be entertained by my inability to act like a normal person after 3 hours of sleep. Furthermore, expect a review of the Intergalactic Redux EP in the coming days (or hours?). (more…)