GameGrooves Uncovered

Ro chats with Pixel Mixers' leadership team/album runners Hashel, Erika, and Dewey about the 10 year anniversary of the Pixel Mixers founding, the celebratory 38-track VGM album for the 10th Anniversary, and reflect on the communities. Ro and Hashel share stories of founding the Pixel Mixers scene together, how the PM group has worked to grow and enjoy new artists, and they all discuss favorit...

Ro chats with Ben Zimmermann and Jayhan from the band JiggyTones about their new live album "Live at HeroFest" and their band performing and growing the video game music scene in Europe. They discuss the unique aspects of arranging as a band, and building a diverse setlist to connect with fans. Don't miss great stories about performing without any prep for their first show, let alone...

Ro chats with Drew AKA Lowlander about co-directing and producing GameGrooves' Donkey Kong Modern-Metal/Prog tribute album "Konged Loose" released in November 2025. The two discuss how the project is unique to the entire game music arrangement scene, the defining of metal genre, and the new quality bar set by the feedback cycles and strive to push the album farther as well as hijinks...

Ro chats with Kyle Schaefer AKA Archaeologist about writing the soundtrack to Duelyst II. They discuss the influence of progressive metal and self-producing, and the unique changes to approach that Kyle made to develop a game OST. Participants: Ro Panuganti (He/Him), Kyle Schaefer (He/Him) Plugs: https://archaeologist.bandcamp.com/album/duelyst-ii-original-soundtrack-complete-edition https://store...

Ro, representing GameGrooves Uncovered Podcast, heads to PAX West 2025 in Seattle, WA to chat with different game musicians and developers about all things video games this year. He meets with a variety of artists and developers, quizzing them on their favorite games so far, soundtracks, deep cuts, and of course the buzz at PAX West 2025. Participants: Ro Panuganti (He/Him)

Ro chats with GameGrooves Operations Team members Ian Martyn and Veronica AKA V-Ron Media about the upcoming MAGWest Album Jam, being hosted in GameGrooves' Discord server. Discussing the exciting event, accessibility, and spirit of collaboration, the three invite listener musicians to throw their hat in the ring, arm up their instruments and mana, and join in the fun! Participants: Ro Panuganti (...

Ro chats with Matt Silverburg AKA MarimbaMatt about his newest album "Pokemon: Mostly Marimba Version" as well as his experience performing percussion in the game music space. They break down collaborations, working with a less-common instrument, arranging for live as well as Pokemon as a series! Participants: Ro Panuganti (He/Him), Matt Silverburg (He/Him) Plugs: https://www.youtube.com...

Ro chats with Nikola Whallon, seasoned chiptune, Balkan, and Klezmer VGM artist about starting a video game music live event in Seattle, Washington. The two chat about other conventions and live venues that host game music, celebrating local and nearby artists, and the event's hopes in the PNW area. Split Screen Seattle will be hosted at Substation in Ballard, in Seattle, WA on May 8th. Doors...

Ro chats with guitarist Steven Poissant aka Steven Strums about his debut solo album "Acoustic VGM Vol. 1" and arranging retro and modern songs for acoustic guitar. They chat about early Youtube and the video game music scene in 2010s, working with Sam in Super Guitar Bros., experiences recording the album, and playing live as a solo artist. Participants: Ro Panuganti (He/Him), Steven Po...

Ro speaks with composer Josh Barron about his work on Fallen Aces: Episode 1 and the process of going from cover-creation to orchestration. They discuss learning as Josh wrote a score across several years, writing techniques, and the power of influential video game music. Participants: Ro Panuganti (He/Him), Joshua Barron (He/Him) Plugs: Official Website:  https://joshbarroncomposer.com/home Bandc...

Ro speaks with Sean about his experiences joining the VGM scene and progressively arranging more collaborations. The two discuss the art of getting into collaboration, being a good arranger/guest, and taking on huge projects like Sean's "Beyond the Sky" music video. Participants: Ro Panuganti (He/Him), Fuzz Pixels (He/Him) Plugs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzrfHr9V4UxTI68yteJSj...

Ro speaks with composer Chase Bethea about getting into composition for games, Game Jams, experiences working on Aground Zero, Stardander School for Witches, and Sunken Stones' soundtracks, and advice for musicians. The two discuss creative ways to write, celebrating more authentic "pirate soundtrack" tropes, and even the interaction of composers and "remixer/cover artists"...

Ro speaks with Vaughn Rowles about the online game music convention, VGMCon, and the events taking place in person and online. They discuss the variety of performers, many game-music bands formed for the con, and panels hosted at the convention. They also discuss the Game Music Remix Awards as well as the VGM Album Jam for charity happening April 4th-7th, including ways for people to get involved...

Ro speaks with Epic Game Music AKA James Ronald about his experiences on Youtube and in the video game/nerdcore music scene across a decade, his brand new Snowboard Kids Lo-Fi album, and perspectives on making a career in VGM. The two discuss their enjoyment of Nintendo 64's Snowboard Kids, MAGFest and ConBravo, playing guitar as a lefty, as well as finding shifts in styles as well as James&#3...

Ro speaks with Patti Rudisill about her experience creating "Voices in the Dark" and "Dear to the Heart", a Final Fantasy VII Double cover album with arrangements built around violin. They discuss interesting guests inclusions, her experience self-producing a variety of tracks, and how Final Fantasy VII: Remake has influenced arranging classic songs. They also discuss her exper...

Ro speaks with Alyssa Menes AKA AC Menes about working in game music, sound design, and arranging music for both rock and gaming symphonic groups. They chat about 60s/70s rock, great music coming from the New Jersey Gamer Symphony Orchestra, and what it's like to work on deep cut game music for performances. Lastly the two discuss the upcoming MAGFest music festival in National Harbor MD, what...

Ro speaks with Brooke Ferd and Becca Michaelson about their upcoming panel "VGM in Music Education" to be shared at MAGFest 2024 in National Harbor, MD. The three discuss how the panel has grown through its presentation at teacher's conferences and VGMCon 2023, as well as how they've experienced music education as teachers. The trio enjoy the benefits of improving the classroom,...

Ro speaks with Jay Kim, aka Ronin Op F, about his slew of collaborations, live performances at MAGFest and VGMCon 2023, and his brand new instrumental hip-hop album "Link's Restless Awakening". The two discuss the benefits of joining communities, preparations for good live shows, thoughts on genre "boxes", and how making albums can be therapeutic. Participants: Ro Panuganti...

Ro speaks with surf punk/rock and latin rock specialist Audio Mocha/Daniel Florez about his album "Seas of Destiny: A Xenoblade Tropical Tribute" as well as the genre and subculture of surf rock. The two discuss its impact, branching from its 1950s roots, and the many ways it can be arranged for video game music. They also discuss live video game music events and how arranging interestin...

Ro speaks with composer Alpha Something about their work scoring the indie game Venba, based on South Indian cooking and the immigrant experience. The two share thoughts on the game, its story, and how composing with inspirations from classic Tamil film scores worked into the game. They discuss Indian food favorites, the navigation of infusing culture into music, the ways Venba tackles key Indian...

Ro speaks with the folk/medieval music duo Axe & Ale about their formation, debut original album Tavern Melodies: Medieval Lute & Flute Dances of the Hobbits Vol. 1, and the music styles of medieval inspired music and fantasy-driven covers. They discuss working together through online real-time streaming, forming a violin streaming group, and their love of Lord of the Rings, Witcher 3, and...

Ro speaks with Carrie Wood about her experience playing bass and band-leading across live groups like Baltimore Gamer Symphony Orchestra, GameGrooves, performing at VGMCon and the upcoming MAGWest convention, as well as her work in the Quick Save band and duo Bi Score with Ian Cowell. The two chat about their cats, gear, and what it takes to create a collaborative album as well. Participants: Ro P...

Ro speaks with Jeff Penny about going from arranging to sound design and composition, including Jeff's latest soundtrack and first solo work "The Game of Fourtune" based on a visual novel meets death game. The two discuss the experience of working together on a cover *for* the game's release, drawing from anime and influences, and marketing your own work. Participants: Ro Panugan...

Ro speaks with Ian Martyn about his completion of the 2022 GameGrooves Album Challenge, releasing Beyond the Wind, VGM and vocal-driven game music, and a long history of community involvement and instrument playing. They discuss the exciting JRPG vocal music and growing scene for performing game music live, as well as the ability to choose songs for the EP. Participants: Ro Panuganti, Ian Martyn P...

Ro speaks with Vaughn Rowles about the upcoming VGMCon 2023 in Minneapolis, MN featuring exciting guests, panels, and celebration of game music. The two discuss the event's origins, what viewers can expect, the virtual and streamed music, Gamer's Rhapsody, and what the Zelda theme will bring. Participants: Ro Panuganti, Vaughn Rowles Plugs: https://vgmcon.org/ https://twitter.com/VGMCon