GameGrooves Uncovered

Ro speaks with Mahn about his new album Mode 8 featuring classic SNES tracks arranged for heavy metal and includes a variety of collaborators from the VGM Space. The two discuss Mahn's interests in game music and playing guitar, exploring the community, as well as performing live and virtually in different game music spaces. Participants: Ro Panuganti, Mahn AKA MahnPlaysMusic Plugs: https://ma...

Ro speaks with Austin Green (Katajun) about the upcoming WASD project's album ESCAPE, the preparation for a full band MAGFest show, running and participating in the Dwelling of Duels community, and geek out on modern production tricks for making heavy metal. The two also swap favorite reference tracks and discuss different entrypoints and accessibility into the VGM community. Participants: Ro...

Returning host Peter Gillette talks with host and progressive-metal musician Ro Panuganti about the process of releasing a new album "Arwing Odyssey: Music from Star Fox 64" and the changes in producing his 15th project in the current VGM space. The two discuss continuity between tracks, good advertisement and PR strategies, engineering music videos and promotional videos, and what makes...

Ro speaks with Alasdair aka Celestial Fury about his djent/modern metal sound, working on 7-8 string guitars, recording albums, and finding the VGM community through local musician scenes. They discuss the resources for mixing and producing modern metal and his experience performing at the VGMTogether Virtual convention. Participants: Ro Panuganti, Alasdair Cooper AKA Celestial Fury Plugs: https:/...

Ro speaks with FirahFabe AKA Fabian about his work in VGM, fusing Filipino music styles of Rondalla and Kulintang, and the rich origins of these musical styles. They discuss the representation of Asian folk music in video game music, communities, and similarities between Filipino music and other folk styles. Participants: Ro Panuganti, Fabian (FirahFabe) Plugs: http://www.twitter.com/firahfabe htt...

Ro speaks with Daniel Dockery about his writing credits on fandom and video game culture, specifically Pokémon and its huge influence beyond the core game series. They discuss the brilliance of its release, how the world reacted to PokeMania, Dockery's research for his book "Monster Kids: How Pokémon Taught a Generation to Catch Them All" and unique discoveries about the monumental s...

Ro speaks with Dean Dimarzo AKA LongestSoloEver about his music journey, guitar playing and utilizing Friday Night Funkin' and strategic yet creative videos to grow into a full time Youtube musician. They discuss challenges and misnomers about the "Algorithm", assisting the community, great ways to make creative videography, and with LSE's new direction away from weekly FNF videos. Participants: R...

Ro speaks with Austin Wintory, composer behind Journey, ABZU, The Pathless, and dozens more about the video game music world in 2022, approaching composition, advice and ideas for new musicians, and working with artists and guests. We also chat about covers of Austin's works, the challenges of writing for games that feel dramatic/cinematic and nuances behind terminologies and hear exciting tho...

Ro speaks with Allison Martin about her professional experience playing trombone, her Youtube channel skits and music-videos, working on Line Them Up: A Paper Mario Project and The Game Brass, as well as her debut trombone quartet album See the World releasing in May 2022. They also discuss the challenges in arranging modern and retro game tunes for 4-tracks, collaborating and co-producing See the...

Ro speaks with Kent Ward of Ongaku Overdrive about the upcoming Ongaku Overdrive 20XX Live Event, running Virtual Shows during the Pandemic, and what it's like to coordinate and run video game and nerdcore/anime concerts in the hot seat! Participants: Ro Panuganti, Kent Ward Plugs: https://ongakuoverdrive.com/ https://twitter.com/GreatKentWardhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/6bhqUlzYH1HlCc9EUCg...

Ro speaks with Allen from GameGrooves about the 2021 Discography of GG, directing and leading the latest release Skario Kart, the challenges of managing VGM and changes in their 5+ years working together, and other bonus questions from listeners! Participants: Ro Panuganti, Allen Brasch Plugs: https://www.game-grooves.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bhqUlzYH1HlCc9EUCgfzY

Ro speaks with Noteblock and AJ DiSpirito, the arranger/coordinator and co-arranger respectively behind the Ultimate Smash Bros. Medley featuring over 90 Musicians and every Smash Bros. characters' theme represented! Participants: Ro Panuganti, Noteblock (Evan), AJ DiSpirito Plugs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kk01MoYmWc https://twitter.com/AJDiSpirito

Ro speaks with Gab (Gabocarina96) about his Youtube music career, growing and changing styles over ten years, and his first original EP inspired by Castlevania and similar horror/game soundtracks. Participants: Ro Panuganti, Gabocarina Plugs: www.youtube.com/Gabocarina96 https://gabocarina96.bandcamp.com/

Ro speaks with Dom Palombi about drumming on Twitch, his musical journey into video-game music, and the upcoming crowdfunded Game Night album that surpassed all expectations. Participants: Ro Panuganti, Dom Palombi Plugs: https://www.twitch.tv/dompalombimusic https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dom-palombi-s-game-night-album#/

Ro speaks with Steven Morris about his eclectic musical career, the new Zelda EP Bossa De Hyrule, recording and producing workflow and experiences, as well as the various games and scores that inspired him. Participants: Ro Panuganti, Steven Morris Plugs: https://open.spotify.com/album/6cKqRG61hxeyFlNLHjICdL https://www.youtube.com/user/StevenMorris

Ro speaks with TeraCMusic about her Youtube career, discovering her unique Hybrid Violin-Voice driven arrangements, creating her first monumental video-game cover album based on Chrono Cross with a slew of collaborators. Participants: Ro Panuganti, TeraCMusic AKA Tera Catallo Plugs: https://teracmusic.bandcamp.com/album/crossing-worlds-music-from-chrono-cross https://www.youtube.com/user/TeraCMusi...

Ro speaks with The GameBrass about their virtual band experience, the brand new Legend of Zelda arrangement album  Horns of Hyrule , working on themed albums, elaborate After Effects addled music videos, and our experience in the VGM scene. Participants: Ro Panuganti, Robby Duguay, Thomas Kresge, Daniel Romberger Plugs: https://thegamebrass.bandcamp.com/album/horns-of-hyrule https://www.youtube.co...

Allen speaks with community leaders Austin Green, of Dwelling of Duels, and Josh Pendlebury of Bonus Stage, about creating spaces for video game music fans and cover artists. They discuss differences in approach, hosting events frequently, and the special crossover event Bonus Duels bringing both scenes together. Participants: Allen Brasch, Austin Green, Josh Pendlebury Plugs: Dwelling of Duels is...

Participants: Allen Brasch, Lame Genie (Kyle, Mike, Jeff) Plugs: http://www.youtube.com/LameGenie

Peter speaks with Psamathes about her experience producing "Her Theme" an all-women tribute to video game music, as well as the tutorial space. They discuss her experience as a vocalist-driven artist in the video game music space. Participants: Peter Gillette, Psamathes Plugs: www.youtube.com/Psamathes

CW: Sexual Violence Allen Brasch speaks with Cass Cuttlefish about the chiptune community and Ikenfell. The two also discuss preventative efforts in the chiptune community against violence and harassment. Participants: Allen Brasch, Cass Cuttlefish Plugs: https://soundcloud.com/casscuttlefish Bystander Intervention: Preventing Sexual Violence In Chiptune Part 1:  https://abitofchiptune.com/bystand...

Allen speaks with David Kang AKA Legendav about his musical experience coming from metal and math rock into VGM. They discuss his love of Persona 5, anime, and defining his own style mixing meters, tapping, sweeping, and fun metal. Participants: Allen Brasch, Legendav Plugs: https://www.youtube.com/Legendav

Peter speaks with Charles about their experiences getting into the video game cover scene and eventually learning at Berklee School of Music. The two discuss arranging big jazz fusion projects and growing more through the game music scene. Participants: Peter Gillette, Charles Ritz Plugs: www.youtube.com/CharlesRitz

Allen speaks with Andy-Ru about his experience joining the GameGrooves Album challenge, an ongoing event to invite artists to develop a video game cover album with helpful guidance and resources from the label. They discuss its challenges, motivation, the workflow, and choosing Super Mario Galaxy as its basis. Participants: Allen Brasch, Andy-Ru Plugs: https://www.youtube.com/c/andyru

Peter speaks with Eric L. about his experience marathoning music covers for a month to observe trends, and push himself. They discuss his work ethic, ability to produce quickly, and takeaways to his grand experiment. Participants: Peter Gillette, Eric Ladish Plugs: http://www.youtube.com/EricLadish