Across the Generations – Pokémon Gym Theme

Games currently playing: Brave Frontier, Kingdom Hearts: Unchained, Pokémon Black, Tales of Link, Phantom of the Kill

It’s time for a new theme on Whimsically Theoretical! This article will mark the beginning of a new series that I will be writing, called “Across the Generations”, where I will compare similar themes across different games within a video game series! Today we are going to be talking about one of the most exciting themes in Pokémon: the Gym Theme! As the music that plays when you first enter an institute that, at least in the story mode, contains the most coveted and sought-after items in the game—the badges!—this theme carries a very strong sense of optimistic triumph and urgency, but certainly in the most hopeful way. Continue reading →

Interview with Mickey Wilson

When you listen to a piece of music, there are times when you can simply feel the immensity of the back story. This was certainly the case when I discovered and listened to Mickey Wilson‘s album “Press Start“—I just knew I had to contact him. Fortunately, the gregarious and friendly composer kindly gave me the opportunity to speak with him, where he shared an epic story about his unusual guitar lessons, troubling legal issues, and immense disappointment, yet through it all, he still holds a fierce determination, positive outlook, and strong spirit.

Continue reading →

Interview with Deborah Lee Yu Rong

Composing with roots in folk pop and a recent delve into electronic and orchestral genres, Singapore-born and currently LA-based composer Deborah Lee Yu Rong has a wonderfully diverse palette. I had the opportunity to interview the inspiring musician, where we discussed feeling music for the first time, video games’ ability to connect people on a deep level, and the difficulty of technicalities and unfamiliarity inhibiting compositional enlightenment.

Continue reading →

Sadness and Music

Games currently playing: Brave Frontier, KH: Unchained, Seven Knights, KH: 358/2 Days

For those of you that have been following my website, or have read one, some, or all of my articles, you may have gathered—subconsciously or not—that I am a very happy and generally positive, excitable person. And this is definitely true in many, genuine ways. But I, like most people, have my down days too. I grew up, also probably like a lot of other people, generally encouraged to suppress any negative emotions, but I have learned over the years that that is not such a great lifestyle. I 100% believe, now, in feeling every emotion that comes along, happy or sad, “positive” or “negative” (though emotions just ARE; they shouldn’t be labeled as good or bad), but in the right context of course. Say you feel a sad spell coming on in the middle of your work day: I would wait until you get home (or at least until a lunch break) to really let it all out. Otherwise, I think it is so important that we let ourselves feel our emotions, particularly “negative” ones, since those are undoubtedly the most uncomfortable to accept. But they also give us the most well-rounded and whole human experience, because we cannot truly experience happiness and triumph without feeling rejection, disappointment, and grief.

Continue reading →

Interview with Garoad

With distinct JRPG and anime influences, Garoad (Michael Kelly) brings us an eclectic playlist of retro-synthesized and emotional compositions. A composer who so clearly and passionately puts his heart and soul into every piece, Garoad is on his way to making a big name for himself in the video game music business. I had the great opportunity to interview the creative genius about his work, where we talked about evoking emotions, compositionally refreshing, and the necessity of challenges and persevering.

Continue reading →

Interview with Fogheart

Creator of The Music Square, and contributor to Tokyo Digital Crew, Fabian Measures (Fogheart) sets a great example of a prolific composer as well as active and enormously supportive member of the community. I had the opportunity to speak with the composer, from California to the UK, where he shared his thoughts about the key role of emotion in music, inopportune inspiration, and composing with a target.

Continue reading →

Interview with Joshua Matthews

From sweeping, orchestral cues and pop and rock-influenced tunes, to dramatic, emotional tracks and grooving dance themes, Joshua Matthews has composed all kinds of compelling pieces that drew me in within the first few seconds of listening. Check out my interview with the insightful, witty, and down-to-earth composer, where we discussed transcendence of music, creative freedom in video game music, and musical epiphanies. Continue reading →