Samples My Story...
Since childhood my musical journey included studies in piano, guitar, and many years of music theory. Now I compose music for games.
Why I Got into the Industry:
I've always been into games, and with technology being in the state it is now, it's a very exciting time to be working in the industry. Besides, what better way to say "I'm not slacking, it's research!"
Tools I Can't Live Without:
Pro Tools, the Vienna Symphonic Library, Stylus RMX, my guitars, and the coffeemaker.
Favorite Game Music:
The Medal of Honor series is incredible, same with Splinter Cell, Hitman, the EA Lord of the Rings series, and oddly enough the Tiger Woods series (you mean all those environmental sounds weren't coming from outside my house?) I've really started to appreciate the interaction between characters in cut scenes, and how rare it is that the conversations sound natural. The Getaway and the Grand Theft Auto series are excellent at this and it makes a huge difference.
Inspiration:
I always find that it's easier to write music for strongly written characters and well written stories. I also seem to work better with a deadline, and somehow that's when my best stuff is written. I always used to joke that a professional composer's best inspiration is an empty fridge.
Music I Listen To When Not Working:
I'm a bit of a film score junkie, so tons of John Williams, Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, David Arnold, John Barry, Jerry Goldsmith, John Powell, the list goes on and on. Other than that: lots of the Beatles, Queen, Jon Brion, Jason Falkner, Jeff Lynne, Jellyfish, Barry Adamson, Muse, Elliott Smith, and little bits of just about everything.
