Level With Emily Reese

Oxenfree and Oxenfree II: Lost Signals are fantastic games with phenomenal music. The games are scored by scntfc, a.k.a. Andy Rohrmann. And I can't ever get enough of Andy's music. I love these games so very much, from the art and story to the music. If you haven't spent time listening to these scores, treat yourself. You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST / PART ONE by scntfc for Oxenfree (I) or Oxenfree II: Lost Signals (II) unless noted otherwise 00:00 To The Valley (II) 06:40 Beacon Beach (I) 09:58 Nightfall, Camena (II) 12:22 Berenson Creek (II) 14:15 Atwater Station (II) 16:28 Arcadia Station (II) 17:41 To The Island (II) 19:06 Atalanta Third (II) 23:33 20 Days Past (I) 27:20 Baby Carrots (II but not on OST) 29:22 Baby Carrots (II but not on OST) 31:14 Journey of a Bird by Morgan Kuhli from Infinite Psychic Translations 35:00 Bl

Composer Doyle Donehoo wrote a fantastic score for the newest game in the Alien franchise, called Aliens: Dark Descent. His music shares several hallmarks but is uniquely his music, and his fandom for this franchise runs so deep it comes off as a gorgeous, if not appropriately creepy, love letter. Doyle saw the first film, Alien, in the theater in 1979. I've told many friends about the story of his experience that night - hilarious. And much later in our conversation, we chat about how he was one of the first in the world (yup) to see Star Wars, an equally engaging tale. If you've played Warhammer, you've likely heard Doyle's music. This score is just as epic yet in the most delicate way possible - the dynamic range alone can put you in that terrifying universe. You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST by Doyle Donehoo for Aliens:

Composer Wilson Brown is part of an audio studio called Antfood, and the studio is responsible for the delightfully chill soundtrack for the Minecraft-esque roguelite, Let's! Revolution! One of my favorite parts of the soundtrack is the percussion - a lot of organic sounds, like body percussion, Latin, South American and other world instruments, mixed with synthetic samples. It's a cold drink on a warm day or a warm drink on a cold one, take your pick. It's pleasing! PLAYLIST by Antfood for Let’s! Revolution! unless noted otherwise 00:00 What An Adventure 07:26 Crowns & Loafers 11:21 The King’s Clutch 12:25 The King’s Clutch 14:51 The Woodlords 19:58 Aquila 26:44 The Woodlords 37:19 Bearded Dragon 41:01 Crowns & Loafers 48:48 The Friend 55:54 What An Adventure 59:20 Salty Wounds 1:00:24 Salty Wounds 1:05:03 The Gym For Tiny Critters 1:10:37 Civil Oaks 1:11:14 Other Sprouts by Sam Keenan

It's always a delight having Oleksa Lozowchuk on Level. This time, we're talking about his music for Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores. I love hearing him dig into his process for composing. We talk about the important soloists on the soundtrack: singers Julie Elven and Melissa Kaplan, along with cellist Blair Lofgren. Quick ask: we're getting close to monetization on YouTube, so send some friends over to our channel and watch our videos, including this one with Oleksa! And thank you, as always! PLAYLIST by Oleksa Lozowchuk for Horizon: Forbidden West Burning Shores unless noted otherwise 00:00 To the Burning Shores 04:22 To the Burning Shores 06:02 Coldest Time of Year from Dead Rising 4 09:24 Titan’s Wake 11:22 To the Burning Shores 14:47 Steel Snare 17:16 Steel Snare 23:09 To the Burning Shores 25:08 For His Amusement 28:16 For His Amusement 30:17 The Idea of Home 35:25 Above and Below 36:18 Above and Below 39:56 Above and Below 42:10 Above and Below 44:18 Someone I Once Knew 46:10 Someone I Once

Composer Vinicius Barbosa Pippa has held many jobs as a musician working in media. In addition to his work in games and film, he garnered an Emmy nomination for his work as a music editor on an animated show called Go! Go! Cory Carson. And he was the music supervisor on a different animated show that aims to introduce Star Wars to kids called Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures (definitely check this out if you haven't, they're fabulous shorts!). I loved chatting with Vinicius about his music, his projects, Portuguese and more! You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST by Vinicius Barbosa Pippa unless noted otherwise 00:00 Night Life 16:20 Lemon Tea 23:32 Clues 29:49 One Last Time 32:37 The Intercept 33:52 Blood Vow 43:58 Graveyard End Credits (From the film Graveyard) 48:16 Idee Fixe II 50:05 Dream Come True 50:31 Other Sprouts by Sam Kee

Composer Brent Meyer talks about his music for Katoa, a mobile game where you build and manage an underwater ecosystem. A portion of the money spent through microtransactions goes toward charities that support the climate. The main theme Brent wrote is a sweeping, melodic orchestral romp. Once you begin gameplay, the texture simplifies and the music becomes more ambient to support the visuals. I loved the gentleness of the more ambient tracks, and thoroughly enjoyed talking with Brent about his music, and our shared geography :) You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST by Brent Meyer for Katoa unless noted otherwise 00:00 Beings of Light (Katoa Main Theme) 03:21 A New World 11:53 Beings of Light (Katoa Main Theme) 15:17 Gaia 18:30 Beings of Light (Katoa Main Theme) 27:31 A Reef in Trouble 34:32 A New World 41:41 Ocean Lullaby 48:

It's always a great time having John Robert Matz on to talk about his music. This time, we discuss Tchia, an open-world adventure of a young girl on tropical islands inspired by the real location, New Caledonia. The music is such a joy. John Robert captured a colorful, simple and memorable island vibe with his soundtrack. The game is fantastic too. This isn't some hundred hour open world sprawl either; it's digestible and easy to take breaks. Music is woven into the gameplay is unique ways, and you can play chromatic triads on your ukulele using the controller. You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST by John Robert Matz for Tchia unless noted otherwise 00:00 Main Theme 12:32 The Pilou 15:04 Weliwele Town 30:41 Underwater Reef 35:10 The World 37:22 An Audience with Meavora 42:03 Aemoon City 43:36 Weliwele Town 44:49 Song I - Ö

I love these games! And Sander van Zanten's music does a fantastic job capturing the wonder, loneliness and splendor of being in space. If you haven't played Deliver Us the Moon, I highly recommend it. And then play Deliver Us Mars! The gameplay is so engaging and Sander's music is a great part of it all. You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST by Sander van Zanten for Deliver Us the Moon (Moon) or Deliver Us Mars (Mars) unless noted otherwise 00:00 Prelude (Moon) 07:08 First Light (Moon) 12:06 Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Moon) 12:56 Uprising (Moon) 16:46 Renaissance (Moon) 20:42 Warnings And Alarms (Moon) 22:40 Prelude (Moon) 24:37 Spirit (Mars) 30:10 Spirit (Mars) 35:54 Home (Mars) 37:52 Home (Mars) 34:50 Sarah’s Song (feat. Nola Klop) (Moon) 48:30 Sanctuary (Mars) 50:01 Sarah’s Song (Moon) 53:40 A Spark Of Life (Moon) 57:4

Grant "Stemage" Henry is a composer, a session guitarist and a remixer. In 2003, Grant created Metroid Metal (you can still download all the tracks, just follow the link), and so began his lengthy career in the VGM remix community. Grant and I don't talk too much about remixing, but we focus on a couple of original projects: his original soundtrack for Card of Darkness, a mobile game from the creator of Adventure Time and a solo project he released in 2016 called Narrowband. I loved talking with Grant about (some of) his original music! We also briefly chat about his music for the League of Legends spinoff called Hextech Mayhem. You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST by Grant “Stemage” Henry unless noted otherwise 00:00 Card of Darkness (Title Theme) 01:55 Slellin Realm from Card of Darkness 07:42 (underscore) Paradise City by G

Mustin's remixes and albums lift my spirits, and I hope they do for you too! Mustin has an ability to capture juuuuust the right sound to make a track pop and nail the nostalgia. His latest album, Mario Mixtape, resulted from a challenge issued by his son: to create a Mario remix album within a matter of months (about 4 months). Mustin delivered, with the assistance and approval of his son, his daughter, and their "people," as he puts it. Mustin also co-founded The OneUps about 20 years ago, the 2nd longest-running video game music remix band in the world. He's got an album out called 20 of the favorite remixes he made for the band. And he did the same with his favorite remixes for another collective he's part of called Bad Dudes. I loved chatting with Mustin - another one of those chats that flew by. Please buy and/or stream his music to help support this community we love! You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patro

Joe Newman is a saxophonist who remixes and covers video game music. He's been a regular participant in Dwelling of Duels and recently released an album of some of his favorite submissions. By day, Joe is a lawyer in the video game industry (in consumer protection, if memory serves, he explains it in the chat). We talk about his music, playing the EWI, his passion for games and more! You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST by Joe Newman unless noted otherwise 00:00 Bizarre Bazaar (Animal Crossing) from Joe Newman Has Joined Your Party! 09:10 After the Rain (Chill EWI cover) 16:52 Beach Jukebox from DLC 19:27 Escape from Salsa City (Sonic Adventure 2) 20:55 ¡Dios Mio! (Sonic the Hedgehog 3) from Joe Newman Has Joined Your Party! 23:43 Calamari Inkantation - Squid Saxes (Splatoon) from Joe Newman Has Joined your Party! 25:19 The Adventur

It's another delightful chat with composer Maclaine Diemer about Firmament from Cyan Worlds, the creators of Myst and Riven. The score is entirely synth with the exception of two or three other instruments, including an esraj and a Fender IV (technically a Squire, which only matters to people who know the difference). It's atmospheric, ambient and round, but with industrial grit thrown in occasionally. Maclaine calls it "industrial ambient." Or maybe "ambient industrial," you'll have to listen to find out. One of the best parts: Maclaine grew up playing and revering those early games and the music Robyn Miller wrote, which is similarly ambient and reverb-y, but with a lot of pizzicato (synth) strings. It was fun to hear Maclaine talk about his fantastic score! You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists.   PLAYLIST by Maclaine Diemer for Fi

Composer Peter Chapman talks about his music for the Netflix comedy Workin' Moms, which just aired its 7th and final season in April. Peter worked with composer/singer Maylee Todd to create music for the series. The music has this energetically fresh, crisp and clean vibe, although there are many examples of grit and grime as well. We chat about that, we talk about his work on Guacamelee and Guacamelee 2. He did the music for Wynonna Earp, and under his pseudonym Coins, created a viral album of Beastie Boys remixes using only Daft Punk samples called Daft Science. I loved the chat and I love his music. PLAYLIST by Peter Chapman for Workin’ Moms unless noted otherwise 00:00 Workin’ Moms Megamix 01:30 WM711m22 Credits V2 03:42 Baby Got Snack (with Maylee Todd) 08:43 Check Me Out 09:05 Porn Store 09:31 Humming 10:37 This One’s For The Brave 25:56 Russian Subway Dogs Theme from Russian Subway Dogs (Peter Chapman aka Coins) 28:07 WM711m22 Credits V2 37:56 Hands In The Air 41:14 The Lab from Mutant Blobs A

I stumbled across Logan "Biggoron" Tucker's music in early April ahead of VGM Con (which would be worth your time if you can attend next year!).   He regularly participates in the monthly video game music cover contest held at Dwelling of Duels. Cover artists submit their piece anonymously and winners are chosen by the community. For TWENTY years, Dwelling of Duels has held this competition, and all submissions are archived on their site.   It was great talking with Logan about his style and how he got into making game music covers. You can find many of his covers on Bandcamp (name your price!) and also on the Dwelling of Duels site.   You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists.   PLAYLIST remixed/covered by Logon “Biggoron” Tucker unless noted otherwise 00:00 The Floor is Lava (from Mischief Makers) 06:02 Knight Moves (from Bomberman 64- The

Composer Lennie Moore talks about his newest passion project, a big band album called Mentors that pays tribute to his musical mentors, like record producer Arif Mardin, pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and drummer Peter Erskine (who plays on the album). While we do briefly discuss the upcoming Outcast 2 (Lennie scored the first Outcast in 1999), most of the conversation centers around the album and the people who aided Lennie musically along the way. You can hear Sam (Level's producer) and I discuss it in Next Level on YouTube. This is long conversation but we make no apologies; you're going to learn a LOT about some legendary musicians and it's well worth it! You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST by Lennie Moore from Mentors unless noted otherwise 00:00 Manic 09:26 The Mardini Effect 14:53 The Mardini Effect 17:20 Planetary Misalignmen

Wes Keltner is the CEO of Gun Interactive, creators of the upcoming game The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Ross Tregenza composed the music and worked on sound. The game is in the canon of the original film from 1974. We talk about how they pieced together a handful of working chain saws to get the perfect sound from the machine, the same models used in the original film. And Wes had an instrument made specifically for the soundtrack (pictured on Patreon). He had an Apprehension Engine created. Invented by composer Mark Korven, the instrument is able to create a wealth of creepy sounds. You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. I loved talking with these two creators about The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. And if you haven't seen the original, or if it's been a while, WATCH IT. PLAYLIST by Ross Tregenza for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre unless noted

Composer Chris Rickwood gets to write in the style of some of the most famous franchises in games and other media like TV, anime and more for Brawlhalla, the free-to-play platform brawler from Blue Mammoth Games and Ubisoft. In this episode, Chris and I talk about what it's like to take the Brawlhalla main theme and rework it in the style of other characters from places like Castlevania, Tomb Raider, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Street Fighter and so many more. You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST by Chris Rickwood for Brawlhalla unless noted otherwise 00:00 Fifth Anniversary Theme 07:10 Assassin’s Creed Crossover 09:15 Castlevania Crossover 13:26 Kung Fu Panda Crossover 16:04 Kung Fu Panda Crossover 16:34 Valentines (Tango) 18:38 Valentines (Tango) 20:48 Jotunn Winter (Battle Pass 3) 24:34 Valhalla Quest (BP7) 25:52 Valhalla Ques

** The soundtrack to The Red Lantern is getting a vinyl release. Anyone who is a patron of Level with Emily by midnight (12:00 AM CDT) on April 17, 2023, will be eligible to win one of 5 records. **   Hrishikesh Hirway is a composer, a recording artist, a podcaster (Song Exploder, Home Cooking, The West Wing Weekly) and all-around busy creator. He wrote the music for The Red Lantern, a narrative survival dog-sledding adventure, with warm, relaxing music to counter the cold landscape. Hrishikesh describes his music as "secular Christmas," and that is such a fantastic description; his music is a weighted blanket with hot chocolate while you listen to a favorite album during a winter storm. And if you like the soundtrack, you'll love his solo music. He used to record as The One AM Radio but now releases under his name. Much of his music is on Bandcamp, but you can find his music in the usual streaming spots too. You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation

We've had composer Rob Kovacs on Level in the past to talk about his alter ego, 88bit. This time, he's here to discuss his Prophet 5 modern 80s soundtrack for the VR game Straylight, and I love every minute of it. The music is fantastic, and Rob sits at his piano during our chat to demonstrate some of the musical choices he made. It was so much fun! You can support Rob in many ways, whether on his Patreon, on Twitch, Bandcamp and many other places! You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists. PLAYLIST by Rob Kovacs for Straylight unless noted otherwise 00:00 Straylight 09:31 Straylight 10:26 Straylight 13:00 Petrushka, Tableau IV “La foire du mardi gras”: Danse des cochers et des palefreniers (1947 version) by Igor Stravinsky, conductor Riccardo Muti, Philadelphia Orchestra 14:12 Straylight 16:40 Straylight 19:40 Star Forge 21:37 Star Forge 2

Greg Nicolett's music for Potionomics is as colorful as the game, weaving in and out of various styles and palettes depending on characters and locations. The game is a 3D deck builder/management sim, where you (as Sylvia) brew and sell potions out of your own shop. And go on dates :) Much of the score was recorded with live orchestra, and there are a lot of soloists that stand out, like past Level guest Kristin Naigus and Greg Nicolett himself playing a fabulous trombone solo in Muktuk's Slumber. You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to exclusive merch, Discord events and special guest playlists.   PLAYLIST by Greg Nicolett for Potionomics unless noted otherwise 00:00 Potionomics Main Theme/Uncle Oswald’s Bequest 04:14 Muktuk’s Calling 04:58 Busy Being Luna 07:52 Mint’s Quest for Adventure 08:34 Xid’s Theme 11:00 Boss Finn 11:54 Sylvia vs. Boss Finn 12:48 Sylvia vs. Roxanne 16:56 Potionomics Main Them