Amiga Music Preservation -

Interview

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TLb. ,dMP' all rite, now you get the chance to read

TML.dMMP some facts about some of the major amiga

,nmm`XXMPX musicians. read about their history in

,#MP'~~XNXYNXTb. the scene and their plans in future.yes,

,d~' dNNP `YNTb. that's meant to be read while listening to

,~ ,NN' `YNb their modules. read 'em over and over and over..

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Handle:

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Group:

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Date of birth:

1-How did your interest for computers start? Which year was that?

It all started when I got my first computer in 1986 or 87. It was a Canon
MSX. As some of you might know, the MSX was never a major success, so my
interest towards it kind of faded when I didn't get any new games for it
and so on. My obsession for computers didn't really kick off until the end
of 1988, when my father bought an A500. I really miss those days back then.
It was really a great time for the Amiga.

2-What machines did you previously have? What did you do with them?

I've had the Canon MSX I told you about above, wich was only used for games
and some Basic programming. Then I got an A500 wich again was majorly used
for games. I also used DPaint quite alot though. It wasn't until the end
of 1991 I started moving away from games, doing alot of graphics and
animation in DPaint . I remember the hell I had animating with only 512k
ram. :) I bought an A1200 in may of 1993, and I've had quite a few A1200's
since that time.

3-For what specific reason did you end up making music rather than gfx,coding?

In mid 1993, wich was the peak in my animation period, I started
experimenting with a program called Protracker. :) I soon learned the
basics of it, and found something that produced imidiate results comparing
to the tedious (and sometimes unrewarding) process of animating. As I
really got to know the program, I quickly lost motivation for animating,
and by mid 1994 I was completely hooked with Protracker, and I've had it
that way ever since. For the record I can mention that I also once tried
to leard assembler coding, but as the impatient type of person I am, I
quickly lost patience for it. So I guess you could say that my main
reason for choosing music over graphics is my lack of patience. :) Since
I've always had a great interest for both areas.

4-Which composing programs have you been using? Which one in particular?

Protracker has always been the thing for me. I'm currently using version
3.15. Ofcourse, I've tried OctaMED, Quadra Composer, Stonetracker,
Digibooster etc, but they generally just give me a big headache.
Digibooster is quite nice though, but it really is quite useless if you
don't have a 16bit soundcard. I still have these programs on my harddrive
though, as they have some interesting sample-edit features lacking in PT.
I've ofcourse also used Fastracker on the PC, but I really dislike working
with it. But I suppose it's just a matter of what you're used to.

5-With which module did you feel you had reached your goal?

Pretty hard to say. I really don't think that I have such a thing as a
goal. I'm mearly trying to explore the musical universe. :) But ofcourse,
there's been tunes wich have been turning points for me as a musician.
The tunes "Telekinesia", "Super Orange" and "Lillebror ser deg" wich were
made in mid 95, late 95 and early 96, is probably the three tunes that
really have represented a major change in the past when it comes to my
music. My latest tune "Freestyle" is also a clear sign of change of
style, or progression if you like.

6-Is there a tune you would like not to remember? For What reason?

Hmmm.. Hard to say. I did a remix of The Prodigy's "No Good" back in 1994
wich I really put alot of work into, only discovering later that it
sounded crap when played on a real hi-fi. (I made the entire tune through
a Panasonic portable cassette player) :)

7-In your opinion, what's the value of music in a demo, game?

It's very important. When I watch a demo, I belive I look at it from a
musician and a designer's point of view. I.e. How the music goes with what
is displayed on the screen, and how the demo progresses through the
various parts/effects. And ofcourse how these parts/effects are presented.
So obviously it's very important. It's different on a computer game though,
as it relies on interaction rather than "passive" enjoyment, and is not
generally looked upon as art in the same way as a demo (at least that's the
way I see it). So I belive people don't have the same expectations for the
music as in a demo. Most people will think the gameplay and graphics are
more important. But still, music is very important. For example a
atmospheric tune in a roleplaying/adventure game can make all the
difference.

8-At present, are you still composing? For professional or leisure purposes?

Yes I am. Professional or leisure, what's the difference? :)

9-What do you think of today's pieces of music such as mpeg,wave,midi,etc...?

Well, I think mp3 really is a nice thing. It doesn't sound nice through an

8-bit soundcard like the Amiga has though. Currently, my brother is

building a hi-fi cd-player that can read mp3 files, would be neat eh?. As
for midi, I really don't like working with it too much since you don't
have total control over the sound like you have in a tracker. It's much
easier to make music sound "professional" in a midi setup though, since
our idea of "professional" sound is based upon what we hear on the radio,
MTV etc. wich very often is music made in a midi-setup. I think you could
compare it to doing graphics in Dpaint and in Photoshop. When pixelling
in Dpaint you are in total control over every little detal, when painting
in Photoshop you're not but can much easier achive a good overall result.
Ofcourse, both midi and tracking have their advantages and disadvantages.
They are just different tools, and I prefer the tracking alternative.

10-Could you tell us some of your all times favourite tunes?

You mean mods? It would have to be something by Heatbeat i think. This man
did wonders with the tracker. His tracks "Aquarium People", "Dawn Mosaic",
"uudenkuun sointuuma", "Playing with delay" just to name a few shows a man
with a unique style plus a total control over the tracker. But there is
quite a few musicians in the scene today who produces great stuff. I think
that for instance Virgill is a marvellous composer who's not afraid to
include unusual and ever so interesting elements into his music, wich
really is quite traditional when you look at it's basics. It's what he
puts into it and the great amount of professionalism he shows in his tunes
wich makes them stand out of the masses. His tunes "Wavecoast",
"Nosehole", his tune from "Crazy sexy cool" and "join the microcosm" is in
my opinion examples of modern classics in the world of Protracker modules.
I would also point out the brilliant Norwegian composer Whiskas, who
really have invented his own style. Just listen to his tunes "The magic
milktunnel", "The falling log", "Grull", "Structure" and "Phtalate -
remix". The way I see it these are examples of true art, and is some of
the few mods ever made that would stand out as definite examples of sheer
quality even in the commercial music industry.

11-Are you planning to make an audio cd with some of your music remastered?

No I'm not. If I were to do an audio cd, it would contain stuff especially
made for the release.

12-What bands are you currently listenning to?

The bands currently on my playlist are Pink Floyd, Herbie Hancock, Dire
Straits, Biosphere, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Mind over Midi, Coldcut,
Miles Davies, Cat Stevens, Jimi Hendrix, Depeche mode + various others
forgotten.

13-What does/did the amiga/c64 scene give you?

I've never been part of the c64 scene. But the Amigascene has given me a
great deal. Mainly in the form of a lot of contacts around the world whom
I can exchange ideas, views, music etc. with. But ofcourse also the many
brilliant demos, intros, modules, pictures, diskmags etc. etc. It's great
to see all the productive minds out there putting their heart and souls
into their stuff.

14-Are you still active in the scene these days?

Yes I am. After a years break, I'm back for a while.

15-Anyone to greet? Anything left to say? Feel free...

Well, I'd like to greet everyone I know (and the ones I don't). Love you
all :)

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please note: this interview is ©opyrighted in 2001 by crown of cryptoburners
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