Level 249: Lifeformed, Janice Kwan (Tunic)

Composer Lennie Moore wrote such gorgeous music for Outcast - A New Beginning that it made me mad, no exaggeration. It's so pleasing harmonically with fantastic melodies and transitions, and outstanding musicianship from the soloists and performers. Live choir, live soloists, live orchestra - and you can tell. The music has breath and life. Come chat with us on Discord about game music, and see the video of my conversation with Lennie Moore on the Level with Emily YouTube channel. PLAYLIST by Lennie Moore for Outcast: A New Beginning unless noted otherwise 00:00 Outcast Main Titles 03:54 Tower of Humanity 06:08 Galenta 16:53 Bidaa 18:27 Outcast Main Titles 20:05 Okksanar 22:24 Daokas 29:25 Galenta 34:05 Okksanar 38:53 Outcast Theme (featuring Manu Delago) 40:20 Outcast Theme (featuring Manu Delago) 41:48 WFA Fortress 42:52 Pillars of Saar 44:51 Almayel’s Prophecy 54:12 Desan 1:13:47 Plains of Sanon 1:15:26 Kizaar 1:21:03 Prokriana 1:25:08 Heights of Adoron 1:28:08 Sappa 1:37:56 Danger Ahead! 1:40:52 They’re Everywhere! 1:41:20 Other Sprouts by Sam Keenan

We're so happy to have Zac Tiessen back on Level to talk about a new project he worked on with his fine artist brother, Josh Tiessen! Zac wrote music for a series of paintings called Vanitas + Viriditas. You can hear the music here (and elsewhere). It's really gorgeous music, with outstanding live performers like singer Julie Elven, the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and more. Come chat with us on Discord about game music, and see the video of my conversation with Zac on the Level with Emily YouTube channel. Find Level with Emily on Patreon. PLAYLIST by Zac Tiessen from Vanitas + Viriditas unless noted otherwise 00:00 Sophia 04:53 Harbinger from Streams in the Wasteland 06:26 Memento Mori 09:54 Sophia 10:48 Qohelet 12:58 Sophia 18:49 The Kairos Stones 19:58 All Creatures Praise 22:02 Auguries of Innocence 25:41 Vanitas + Viriditas 30:48 Vanitas + Viriditas 38:21 Qohelet 39:39 In This Birch Grove 41:29 In This Birch Grove 42:18 In This Birch Grove 46:11 The Kairos Stones 48:05 Memento Mori 51:53 Auguries of Innocence 54:30 Vanitas + Viriditas 55:08 Other Sprouts by Sam Keenan

We loved having bandleader and drummer/percussionist Dom Palombi back to talk about his new album, Dom Palombi's Game Night! Vol. 2. There are about twice as many musicians on this album than on Vol. 1, with what Dom describes as more personal track choices than before. The musicianship is just beyond measure, and it's a fun, adventurous, delightful, funky romp through some great tunes. The three originals are fantastic. ENJOY! Join us on Discord for free. Find this conversation on YouTube.  PLAYLIST from Dom Palombi’s Game Night, Vol 2 00:00 Wings That Cross Time (from Chrono Trigger), feat. Andrew Sumabat, Josh Vasquez 7:48 Bad Guys - Kerning City (from Maplestory), feat. Super Guitar Bros, Charlie Rosen, MegaRan 9:29 Bad Guys - Kerning City (from Maplestory), feat. Super Guitar Bros, Charlie Rosen, MegaRan 10:34 Wings That Cross Time (from Chrono Trigger), feat. Andrew Sumabat, Josh Vasquez sans (from Undertale), feat. Skatune Network, Ryan Slatko 12:00 Monkey Target (from Super Monkey Ball 2), feat. Insaneintherainmusic, Patrick Bartley, Khrys Williams, The Consouls 12:38 Yugioh Anime Intro (from Yu-Gi-Oh!), feat. Dave Pollack, Jasper Dutz, Max Boiko, Ryan Slatko, Joe Etzine 16:47 Bad Guys - Kerning City (from Maplestory), feat. Super Guitar Bros, Charlie Rosen, MegaRan 17:46 Bad Guys - Kerning City (from Maplestory), feat. Super Guitar Bros, Charlie Rosen, MegaRan 21:03 Roll The Dice! feat. Zac Zinger, Adam Neely 24:02 Roll The Dice! feat. Zac Zinger, Adam Neely 25:34 Next Chapter, feat. Insaneintherainmusic, Videri String Quartet 27:12 Next Chapter, feat. Insaneintherainmusic, Videri String Quartet 21:18 Three Lives Left -Feat. Ryan Devlin, Tony Dickinson 31:04 Three Lives Left -Feat. Ryan Devlin, Tony Dickinson 32:52 Three Lives Left -Feat. Ryan Devlin, Tony Dickinson sans (from Undertale), feat. Skatune Network, Ryan Slatko 39:08 Monkey Target (from Super Monkey Ball 2), feat. Insaneintherainmusic, Patrick Bartley, Khrys Williams, The Consouls 41:57 Monkey Target (from Super Monkey Ball 2), feat. Insaneintherainmusic, Patrick Bartley, Khrys Williams, The Consouls 44:50 To Zanarkand (from Final Fantasy X), feat. Casey Lee Williams, Tournament Arc, Dave Pollack 47:07 Ain't Nothin' Like a Funky Beat (from Lethal League Blaze), feat. Patrick Bartley, Juna Serita 49:29 Ain't Nothin' Like a Funky Beat (from Lethal League Blaze) -Feat. Patrick Bartley, Juna Serita 52:45 Yugioh Anime Intro (from Yu-Gi-Oh!), feat. Dave Pollack, Jasper Dutz, Max Boiko, Ryan Slatko, Joe Etzine 53:39 Yugioh Anime Intro (from Yu-Gi-Oh!), feat. Dave Pollack, Jasper Dutz, Max Boiko, Ryan Slatko, Joe Etzine 1:06:08 Bad Guys - Kerning City (from Maplestory), feat. Super Guitar Bros, Charlie Rosen, MegaRan 1:06:40 Other Sprouts, by Sam Keenan

Composer Chase Bethea talks about his music for Stardander: School for Witches, a Harry potter-esque narrative turn-based battle adventure game where you learn spells and solve mysteries. The music is mysterious at times, with winding melodies and unexpected instrumentation. His mom sings too, which is great! You can support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord. Find this conversation on YouTube. PLAYLIST by Chase Bethea for Stardander School for Witches unless noted otherwise 00:00 The Conjurations of Touchstone 3:46 Daily Activities 6:20 Daily Activities 9:28 Daily Activities Choice Reminder 11:26 Investigations 13:18 Stardander School Song Anthem 14:47 Trouble and Mystery 17:02 Fall Festival 23:16 Clearing the Forest 25:10 Clearing the Forest 27:56 Fae Reign Supreme 31:48 Protector of Renar City 36:16 The Inventor’s Imprudence 37:43 Cloaked in Rivalry 39:58 Cloaked in Rivalry 44:53 Twilight Patrol 45:48 Discovery Circle 46:18 Other Sprouts by Sam Keenan

Composer Thomas Brunet talks about his absolutely stunning music for Chants of Sennaar in this episode. We love how spontaneous the music sounds, and the colorful, creative instrument palette. In addition to the wonderful music, Thomas and I talk about a new graduate program he's created for music and sound design in Bordeaux, France, as well as his love for and knowledge of French literature. Composer Thomas Brunet talks about his absolutely stunning music for Chants of Sennaar in this episode. We love how spontaneous the music sounds, and the colorful, creative instrument palette. In addition to the wonderful music, Thomas and I talk about a new graduate program he's created for music and sound design in Bordeaux, France, as well as his love for and knowledge of French literature. PLAYLIST by Thomas Brunet for Chants of Sennaar unless noted otherwise 00:00 Out Of The Cavern And Into The Light 06:11 The Cogs Of Science 14:06 Smell Of Rain 20:47 A Bit Of Fun 29:20 Envers 31:20 Envers 37:02 Envers 41:38 Out Of The Cavern And Into The Light 47:29 Forgotten Bonds 54:50 Temple Of Knowledge 59:23 The Call 1:01:00 Catch Me! 1:07:22 Gardens of Plenty 1:21:00 Bonds Reforged 1:21:32 Other Sprouts by Sam Keenan

A little more than two years ago, Erik Desiderio was on Level to talk about music he'd written for Last Epoch, which was in early access at the time. Erik is back to talk about all of the music he's written for the game since we spoke in 2022. Also, Last Epoch is about to get its official release, and the Game Music Ensemble of UCLA is going to play Erik's music from the game live, with Erik conducting. This gave us many reasons to chat! That concert, by the way, will apparently be streamed? Unsure, check here and here! The concert is on Saturday, February 24th at 7 PM PST (UTC-8). PLAYLIST by Erik Desiderio for Last Epoch unless noted otherwise 00:00 Last Epoch Theme 09:03 Keeper’s Camp 14:28 The End of Ruin 17:48 The Surface 19:22 Burning Forest 28:36 What She Left to Remember 31:54 Shadow’s Whisper 46:32 Eterra 48:30 The End of Ruin 50:32 Fires Before Dawn 57:40 The End of Time 59:58 The End of Time 1:06:04 Above the Black 1:08:20 Bastion of the Sun 1:09:17 In Preparation 1:09:54 Other Sprouts by Sam Keenan

This is such gorgeous music by Dale North for Astral Ascent. Fully orchestral (a mix of real and samples), lush and full - and sometimes it ascends! Like the game!    Definitely check out the conversation Sam and I had about it on Next Level.    Come chat with us on Discord about game music, and see the video of my conversation with Dale North on the Level with Emily YouTube channel.   PLAYLIST by Dale North for Astral Ascent unless noted otherwise 00:00 Opening Cinematic 01:00 Main Menu 05:44 Fragmented Plains - Exploration 12:16 Crimson Highlands - Combat 18:54 Main Menu 23:24 Fragmented Plains - Combat 29:38 The Master - Phase 2 (feat. Emi Evans) 32:34 Andromeda’s Bar 35:19 Echoes Room 35:58 The Yalee Kingdom 38:37 The Garden 40:12 Short Intro 43:59 Choral Archipelago - Exploration 46:18 Red Barrens - Exploration 49:27 Event Horizon 50:22 The Void 51:40 Sun & Moon 52:54 The Master - Phase 1 (feat. Emi Evans) 53:24 Fight Theme 53:48 Other Sprouts - Sam Keenan

I loved talking with Terence and Janice so much about their wonderful music for such a fabulous game. The music for Tunic is a glorious blend of synths and acoustic piano, with waves of (often) consonant sound. Plus, you get to play as an adorable fox! Terence and Janice live in Taiwan so I got to learn a bit about that tropical island too, and got to meet some cats which always brings a smile! You get to see them in the YouTube video... PLAYLIST by Lifeformed and Janice Kwan for Tunic unless noted otherwise 00:00 Memories of Memories 07:19 Sunset Breakfast 14:32 Ghost Field 15:36 The Librarian - piano sketch 15:56 The Librarian 18:07 The Captain - piano sketch 18:24 The Captain 19:10 The Knight 20:52 Remember to Remember 22:21 Carbon Harvest 23:32 What They Kept From Us 25:02 Ghost Field 26:43 Ghost Field 28:19 Ocean Glaze 31:20 Ocean Glaze 32:01 To Far Shores 35:56 To Far Shores 45:51 Sageless 49:39 Flux is On 53:30 River, River (not for Tunic) 58:03 pull me in by Janice Kwan 1:01:16 The Cats Are Hungry 1:04:10 Hex Sequence 1:04:51 Other Sprouts by Sam Keenan      

Composer Jon Everist's music for The Lamplighters League is a great blend of noir and adventure. The soundtrack paints such a perfect picture of the vibe of the game (which is a turn-based tactics game). So many wonderful solos and soloists, with an orchestra recorded live at Abbey Road Studios, and they all sound fantastic! Also, I swear I know what a trombone sounds like. Or I used to think I did. PLAYLIST by Jon Everist for The Lamplighters League unless noted otherwise 00:00 The Lamplighters League (Main Theme) 02:38 Heist Prep 04:04 Nicastro Theme 07:51 The Lamplighters League (Main Theme) 12:38 Jungle Quiet 16:42 Nicastro Theme 20:43 Cloak and Dagger 21:35 The Lamplighters League (Main Theme) 23:00 Arctic Quiet 25:37 Arctic Quiet 28:18 Parisian Night 32:38 Spotted 35:58 The Undrawn Hand (Opening Cinematic) 38:09 Jungle Combat 41:06 The Tower 42:39 Marteau Theme 46:18 Light the Way (World Map Theme) 48:01 Heist Execution 48:42 Other Sprouts by Sam Keenan

It's always a joy catching up with composer Cris Velasco! This time around, we chat about his epic music for Lords of the Fallen, a souls-like action RPG with plenty of boss battles. He also clues me into another one of his recent scores, for a game called Fae Farm, He and I will talk more about that in a future episode, because it's delightful. Also couldn't be more different than his music for Lords. Come chat with us on Discord about game music, and see the video of my conversation with Cris on the Level with Emily YouTube channel. PLAYLIST by Cris Velasco for Lords of the Fallen unless noted otherwise 00:00 Aphotic Judgment 06:29 Warmaster 06:56 Orian Ascendance 08:22 Deathless Duty 11:01 Molten Heart 12:30 Archnemesis 16:39 Bloodletter 19:44 Call to War 20:05 Howl of Devastation 23:02 Archnemesis 26:05 Maw of Faith 27:23 Maw of Faith 33:02 Bloodletter 37:13 Fiery Malice 43:15 Welcome to Azoria 45:00 Warm Winds of Adventure 45:55 Maw of Faith 46:41 The Sun on Your Back 47:28 The Market Dance 53:53 Rotting Whispers 54:25 Other Sprouts by Sam Keenan