The Sound Test

Telling Lies is the latest FMV game from Sam Barlow, featuring an original soundtrack by Nainita Desai. For this bonus episode, I catch up with Nainita to hear about her process for composing the score, history with sound design and more.

Unfortunately, this is the finale of The Sound Test LIVE as we know it. Scheduling conflicts have forced Dale to step back from the show, leaving this last edition in Lee's hands. Within, you can hear the usual hand-picked and requested VGM alongside several details of what's to come next. The Sound Test LIVE is far from over, and will return in an updated format soon after a short hiatus. In that time, Lee will be concentrating his efforts on the full podcast series, ST2, and broadcasting more casual and unplanned shows in the usual slot. We'd like to thank everyone who came on board during this run, enjoyed our little show and most of all contributed through the chat and playing with our various features. We put this show together, but you guys truly made it. Hopefully, you'll all be along for the ride when the show returns soon.

This episode welcomes an unfortunately distressed Professor Elemental onto the show. Although trapped in a wardrobe by his orangutan butler, Geoffrey, he still manages to give us the lowdown on his latest madcap performances, upcoming material and even his transition from interstellar nuisance to steampunk superhero. Our chat was cut off by the return of his still furious simian companion, but I later heard back on the Prof's safety and even got sent an exclusive NEW tune!

Steve Rockett, aka Steve Collett, is an absolute industry veteran when it comes to VGM. A stalwart of the Super Nintendo, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance systems, we'll be going in-depth into his work on each and the unique problems they presented. We'll follow some of his earliest work, like Jelly Boy, right up to his GBA mastery with OSTs like the ported Street Fighter Alpha 3 across three episodes (which will also feature other composers)! Steve has also worked extensively for various racing franchises on licensed and original soundtracks alike. Whether it's the Moto GP series, Hot Wheels, Crash 'n Burn, Split-Second, Pure or more, his familiarity with the genre is practically unequaled. As such, Steve provides thoughts to several episodes of The Sound Test's second season. Here, he outlines his insane achievement of creating sound effects for the Game Boy with his actual guitar... The music is taken from the GB version of Jelly Boy, composed by Steve Rockett and Nick Stroud.

After bumping into one another several times at the 8-Bit Symphony, Jeroen Tel agreed to appear on The Sound Test LIVE! Hopefully we'll be able to speak again for an official podcast conversation, but here's our great, relaxed live chat until then. We talk about Jeroen's association with the 8-Bit Symphony, being influenced by Rob Hubbard, his soundtrack for Robocop 3 and more!

It's always a pleasure to welcome Grant Kirkhope onto The Sound Test! This week, Grant joins us for a chat about the incredible reveal of Banjo-Kazooie as a Smash Bros. fighter and the upcoming Game Theory Concert.

Laura Shigihara has composed for all sorts across her career, from the goofy stylings of Plants vs. Zombies to her deeply emotional personal project, Rakuen. For Rakuen, she designed the game herself, crafting a hard-hitting journey packed with dialogue and puzzles. As an established musician too, Laura naturally wrote its music, which refers back to traditional styles and instrumentation while mixing them in with more modern production and songwriting. In this trailer, Laura provides some insight on Rakuen's emotional depth and how it bled into the music. There are some incredibly innovative ways that music is integrated into the whole story, and you'll hear more on how that came together in the full upcoming episode. In addition, Laura will be appearing on an edition dedicated to Plants vs. Zombies, and alongside C418 in Minecraft's.

Dale and I were very glad to welcome Mike Richmond onto the show for this week's broadcast! Mike worked on Amiga music for games like Black Dawn (along with its upcoming Rebirth), but recently started composing all over again; this time with a Commodore 64. He's a wonderful example of the still thriving scene around 8-bit systems, and you can check out his work here: http://mikerichmond.bandcamp.com

Paul Wolinski is a principle member of 65daysofstatic, who provided original music to No Man's Sky alongside the audio magic of industry veteran, Paul Weir. Both will be appearing on an upcoming episode of The Sound Test's second season, looking deep into the infinite sounds of one of gaming's most controversial releases. In this trailer, Paul Wolinski outlines the differences between writing for a traditional record and a video game. In our conversation, we cover as much as we could fit into the time - including how the band adapted to the process, technical details of No Man's Sky's "Infinite Music Machine" and much more. As a longtime fan of 65daysofstatic, this interview was truly surreal to conduct!

We're joined by Mike Morasky for a conversation that goes in-depth into his careers in both music and visual arts, favourite games and more. Mike was my longest interview for season one of the official podcast, and this chat once again proves his intelligence and friendliness. A legend in so many different industries, it was an honour to welcome Mike for a more casual chat on the live show!

I'm joined for a quick conversation with veteran composer, Mark Knight - perhaps better known as TDK.

27: ST2 TRAILER - Bullfrog Productions (w/Russell Shaw)

26: BONUS - LIVE Walter Day Interview (03/05/19)

25: ST2 TRAILER - Minecraft (w/C418)

24: BONUS - LIVE Nick Lutsko Interview (19/04/19)