Be a Better Artist

We sit down with composer Cameron Paxton, best known for his work on the hit indie game Dome Keeper. From growing up in a music-filled home to serving in the Air Force and eventually carving a path into game audio, Cameron’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rediscovery.

We explore what it means to balance youthful creative urgency with the more deliberate craft of maturity, how to chase sparks of inspiration before they fade, and why discipline is just as important as inspiration. Cameron shares lessons from his journey through rock bands, tape recorders, game jams, and ultimately finding his voice in game music.

This episode is about more than music — it’s about the art of becoming. Whether you’re a musician, creative, or simply curious about the philosophy behind making art, you’ll walk away with insights to fuel your own journey.

CAMERON LINKS:

Website: cameronpaxton.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OBr3Jn1ePWfUJ4f0Vp0VE?si=mwcfwL4JRy-nKI_Zq8scWg

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cameron-paxton/608985830

Bandcamp: https://cameronpaxton.bandcamp.com/

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

Support this podcast by becoming a member:

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) – Intro & Tech Setup

(00:09:12) – Life in Austin & Texas Stories

(00:17:41) – Growing Up Military & Air Force Years

(00:28:33) – Lessons from the Military & Diversity of People

(00:53:14) – Discovering Music as a Teenager

(00:55:03) – C-Lane Project & Early Recordings

(01:09:10) – Inspiration vs Discipline in Creativity

(01:24:45) – Game Jams & The Road to Dome Keeper

(01:36:23) – Dome Keeper’s Development & Soundtrack Expansion

(01:46:45) – Release Reflections & Creative Validation

(02:32:46) – Sound Design, Tools & Process Insights

(02:51:41) – Work-Life Balance, Therapy & Sustaining Creativity

(03:10:00) – What It Means to Be an Artist

(03:18:17) – Closing Thoughts & Outro

Are you feeling stuck in life — drifting, lost, and disconnected from who you truly are? In this episode, I share my personal story of how changing my physical environment — and eventually moving abroad — became the catalyst for profound internal change.

We explore how emotional attachment to people and places can silently shape your identity, limit your potential, and keep you locked in outdated versions of yourself. I dive into the difference between reinvention and reconnection, why some environments make growth nearly impossible, and what it means to truly start from a clean slate.

If you've ever felt trapped by your city, your relationships, or your past — this conversation is for you.

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

1-on-1 Coaching: https://markusjunnikkala.com/consultation/

Become a member: https://markusjunnikkala.com/membership/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) - Feeling Stuck in Life

(01:45) - Growing Up Trapped

(03:31) - The Cage Is in Your Mind

(05:11) - Place Holds Power

(07:05) - You’re Not Who They Think You Are

(08:40) - The Smirks That Stop You

(10:45) - Nowhere Left to Grow

(13:04) - Getting Into Music School Abroad

(16:42) - Friends on Purpose

(19:00) - No Past, Just You

(20:14) - Why Moving Cities Isn’t Enough

(21:01) - Make an Exit Plan

(22:42) - Regret Hurts More

(23:49) - Pick Your Place With Purpose

(25:36) - New Place, Same You?

(29:38) - Final Invitation

(31:50) - When Locations Hold Feeling

(32:45) - Call to Action

In this episode, we explore some of the mental causes behind creative burnout. We dive deep into the psychology of stress, the danger of unspoken expectations, and how your internal “mental software” might be running faulty code that leads to frustration, exhaustion, and creative stagnation. If you’re a creative person constantly feeling depleted, stuck, or under pressure to “do more,” this episode is for you.

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

1-on-1 Coaching: https://markusjunnikkala.com/consultation/

Become a member: https://markusjunnikkala.com/membership/

Want me to answer your question? Ask it on social media:

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Rating, subscribing, and sharing helps the podcast.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Intro: Facing Burnout

(00:01:54) The Body Can't Differentiate Stress

(00:04:49) How Expectations Fuel Burnout

(00:06:46) Unspoken Expectations Destroy Relationships

(00:13:01) Meet People Where They Are

(00:17:53) The Hidden Burnout of Pleasing Everyone

(00:23:37) Reprogram Your Mental Software

(00:30:49) Break Patterns to Break Through

(00:33:06) Why Creatives Need Small Wins

(00:41:03) Burnout and the Battle With Time

(00:47:14) You Can Only Do Your Best

In this episode we explore the effects of deleting your social media apps from your phone.

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

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Ask it below in the comments or on social media:

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) – The Decision to Delete the Apps

(00:01:44) – The Power of Getting Fed Up

(00:02:44) – Scrolling in the Bathroom

(00:03:34) – Breaks That Don’t Recharge

(00:04:56) – Information Overload Isn’t Learning

(00:06:30) – Willpower is Limited, Use It Wisely

(00:07:48) – You’re Fighting Tech Giants

(00:08:23) – A Moment in Nature and Self-Reflection

(00:09:25) – Saving Willpower for What Matters

(00:11:42) – Protein Bars and Mindful Choices

(00:13:28) – Addicted, Quit, Repeat

(00:14:44) – Can Social Media Be Fixed?

(00:16:14) – Strategic Consumption

(00:17:48) – Failed Experiments in Self-Limiting

(00:30:04) – Someday, You’ll Wish for That Time

(00:32:13) – The Poison is in the Dose

(00:33:02) – Delete the Apps, Keep the Account

(00:33:50) – Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Magnus Pålsson is a composer best known for their soundtrack for the video game VVVVVV under the artist name Souleye. He opens up about ego death, creativity, and building a gamified platform for personal growth. A raw, inspiring conversation about transformation, vulnerability, and what it means to live truthfully in a digital age.

MAGNUS LINKS:

Website: https://www.magnuspalsson.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2wguicPfR7ne0MDX7mYPRq?si=z153KlHtQPGc0SzT4I1KSw

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/magnus-p%C3%A5lsson/806918599

Bandcamp: https://souleyedigitalmusic.bandcamp.com/album/pppppp-the-vvvvvv-soundtrack

X: https://x.com/MagnusRender

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

Support this podcast by becoming a member:

https://markusjunnikkala.com/membership/

Want me to answer your question?

Ask it on social media:

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Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) - Technical Issues and Settling In  

(00:02:00) - Moving to Portugal for Economic Reasons  

(00:04:00) - From Music to Investments and Personal Growth  

(00:08:00) - Gamifying Personal Development  

(00:12:00) - Transparency, Public Growth, and Personal Accountability  

(00:16:00) - Magnus’s Ego Death Experience  

(00:24:00) - Living Without an Ego and Resetting Perceptions  

(00:28:00) - Integrating the Shadow and Emotional Maturity  

(00:34:00) - Impact on Creativity and Expressing a Wider Emotional Range  

(00:40:00) - Music, Hopefulness, and Emotional Complexity  

(00:46:00) - The Return of the Inner Voice  

(00:53:00) - Managing the Ego's Influence in Daily Life  

(00:57:00) - Relational Meditation and Circling Practice Explained  

(01:03:00) - Building a Gamified Growth Platform  

(01:09:00) - Truth, Trolling, and Documenting Transformation  

(01:17:00) - Philosophy, AI, and the Search for Truth  

(01:19:00) - Facing AI and Redefining Human Connection  

(01:23:00) - Human Imperfections and the Future of Authenticity  

(01:27:00) - AI Adapting to Mimic Humanity  

(01:31:00) - The Futility and Beauty of Seeking Truth  

(01:35:00) - Finding Joy in Simplicity and Process  

(01:39:00) - Early Music Career and Unexpected Opportunities  

(01:44:00) - The Strange Story Behind Magnus’s First Game Soundtrack  

(01:49:00) - Creative Integrity Versus External Expectations  

(01:55:00) - Sustaining Creativity Amidst Day Jobs and Long Commutes  

(02:00:00) - Using Old-School Trackers to Compose Legendary Music  

(02:04:00) - Evolving Creativity and Embracing New Horizons  

(02:10:00) - Gaming, Childhood Inspirations, and Musical Beginnings  

(02:15:00) - The Role of Play and Joy in Developing Skills  

(02:20:00) - Building a New Life Focused on Passion Projects  

(02:30:00) - Creating a Gamified Platform for Growth and Connection  

(02:38:00) - Life Philosophy: Living Authentically and Courageously  

(02:45:00) - Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts

Mudeth is a composer from Bangalore, best known for his soundtrack for The Binding of Isaac Antibirth OST.

MUDETH LINKS:

Website: https://www.mudeth.org/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mudeth

'The Unsung' (Mudeth's podcast): https://unsung.mudeth.org/The_Good_and_the_Flawed

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ERwcThkHmFXYHH3TagPOY?si=AjEodAaXRZOAEUhbS4fZLA

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mudeth/1189772212

Bandcamp: https://mudeth.bandcamp.com/

X: https://x.com/htedum

LINKS FOR THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

The Bioacoustics podcast: https://india.mongabay.com/2024/07/podcast-wild-frequencies-find-wildlfe-with-bioacoustics/

Knytt (video game): https://archive.org/details/Knytt

Iji (video game): https://www.remar.se/daniel/iji.php

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

Support this podcast by becoming a member:

https://markusjunnikkala.com/membership/

Want me to answer your question? Ask it on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/markusjunnikkala/

https://www.facebook.com/markusjunnikkala/

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Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Intro & The Binding of Isaac Mod Origins

(00:05:00) Burnout from Ad Work & Discovering Creative Joy

(00:12:00) Artistic Integrity vs Client Expectations

(00:20:00) Artist vs Craftsperson: Personal Philosophy

(00:25:00) Fan Favorites and Musical References

(00:30:00) Cultural Influences Growing Up in India

(00:35:00) Host’s Background and Creative Journey

(00:43:00) Making Indie Games: Breachway Development

(00:49:00) Perfectionism, Releasing Music, and Artistic Growth

(00:56:00) Creative Process and Avoiding Overthinking

(01:04:00) Knowing When to Let Go of a Song

(01:10:00) Early Childhood, Curiosity, and Synth Exploration

(01:20:00) Computer Music, Trackers, and DAW Evolution

(01:30:00) Creative Confidence and Trusting Instincts

(01:40:00) Learning Through Releasing Music

(01:50:00) Mixing Tricks & Gaining Perspective

(02:00:00) Fixing Weak Sections and Structural Flow

(02:10:00) Letting Go & Binary Nature of Art

(02:20:00) Music, Emotion, and Avoiding False Satisfaction

(02:30:00) Playfulness, Simplicity, and Authenticity

(02:45:00) Final Reflections on Growth and Creativity

Damjan Mravunac is a Croatian composer and musician, best known for his music for the Serious Sam video game series, as well as the Talos Principle 1 and 2 video games.

DAMJAN LINKS:

Website: http://www.damjanmravunac.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4JCHmi2aI31AP3VsVKE2ks?si=dCSHw9drRGa0doPgjPReJA

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/damjan-mravunac/726774063

Bandcamp: https://damjanmravunac.bandcamp.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Parenting

(00:05:02) Music Tech & Production

(00:14:05) Personal Music Journey

(00:24:50) First Gig, Croteam, Serious Sam

(00:31:24) Dreaming Big, Creative Restriction

(00:38:25) Procrastination, Workflow, Routine

(00:45:07) Sound Design

(01:01:09) Studio Setup, Remote Work

(01:14:00) Networking, Game Music Industry, Advice for New Composers

(01:28:15) Talos Principle 1 and 2

(01:45:07) Inspiration, Composition, and Mixing

(02:00:45) Approach to Game Soundtracks

(02:07:31) Mixing and Composing Simultaneously

(02:16:15) Evolution of Technology in Music

(02:27:29) Impact of War on Creativity

(02:30:03) Digital Technology's Impact on Creativity

(02:34:06) Work-Life Balance and Parenting

(02:41:07) Passion for Music and Creative Process

(02:48:20) Fitness Journey and Health

(02:56:24) Future Projects and Aspirations

(03:00:42) Definition of an Artist

(03:10:13) Message sent to Everyone's Smartphone

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

Want me to answer your question?

Ask it on social media:

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Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.

Paul Kilduff-Taylor is a composer and artist known for his music as nervous_testpilot as well as _ensnare_. He is also the co-founder of Mode 7, an indie game publisher and development company, known for titles like Frozen Synapse, Fight in Tight Spaces, and Tokyo 42.

PAUL KILDUFF-TAYLOR LINKS:

https://www.nervoustestpilot.com/

https://www.mode7.games/

X: https://x.com/mode7games

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mode7games/

nervous_testpilot Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zhakwCorTNUwe17WxD3kh?si=Iuf-uikKTKqr9BTCqhe_5A

_ensnare_ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1XYSXyGl3WXrHN7EPBQ1fc?si=bPiDLZzqQHq5Ood8dbfUAg

nervous_testpilot Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/nervous-testpilot/192738401

_ensnare_ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/ensnare/888028958

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Intro

(02:19:00) Emotional and Spiritual Connection in Music

(05:02:00) Podcast Goals

(07:52:00) Branding Challenges as an Artist

(12:30:00) Game Development background

(15:04:00) Personal Background

(15:12:00) Early Life and Family

(16:46:00) Technology Exposure in Childhood

(18:00:00) Relationship with Technology

(21:30:00) Childhood, Family

(24:21:00) Risk Management, Anxiety, Collaboration

(30:20:00) Early Music Exposure

(32:23:00) Music as a Career Consideration

(39:04:00) Humour in Music and Life

(47:27:00) Early Career in Game Development and Music

(56:02:00) Frozen Synapse (2011)

(01:02:03) Mixing music, Sound selection, Retaining Emotion

(01:06:53) Dynamic Music in Video Games

(01:11:15) Creativity vs. Technical Precision

(01:20:30) Approach to SNES Style Music

(01:34:01) Music Technology in Composition

(01:37:01) Inspiration

(01:42:01) Compositional process

(01:45:01) Musical Influences

(01:53:22) Non-musical Influences

(01:57:50) Time Management and Work Structure

(02:00:30) Balancing Work and Personal Life

(02:05:54) Challenges with Sleep and Coping Mechanisms

(02:15:00) Emotion and Decision Making

(02:23:33) Music Tech Talk

(02:30:02) Mixing Techniques

(02:45:02) Upcoming Exciting Music Tech

(02:49:42) Balancing Work and Life

(02:56:05) Future Plans and Projects

(02:59:12) Definition of an Artist

(03:18:33) Message Sent to Everyone's Phone

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

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Ask it on social media:

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Peppsen (Petter Sumelius) is a Finnish composer now residing in Sweden. He is known for his music mod for the video game Rimworld, as well as Shapez; a factory-building and automation game. He is also the composer for the upcoming and awaited Shapez 2.

PEPPSEN LINKS:

Website: https://www.peppsen.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Peppsen

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0VmuJa5WFTghyy3P2ng9HO?si=CbcW9Q5VQZS0jogbNYssiw

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/peppsen/1439733884

Bandcamp: https://peppsen.bandcamp.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

• (00:00:00) Intro
• (06:43:00) Background, growing up, family, hobbies
• (22:12:00) Video game influence
• (30:01:00) Music theory, Playing instruments
• (45:01:00) Early DAW experiences, Adolescence, Music mods
• (49:06:00) Pursuing music as a profession
• (01:02:05) Work process, Mindset, Networking
• (01:10:30) Creative freedom, Constraints, Feedback
• (01:42:02) Silence in music, dynamic/adaptive music in games
• (01:48:15) Full-time job and composition, finances
• (01:57:40) Profession VS Hobby
• (02:00:02) Expectations, Pressure, Criticism
• (02:17:03) Iterative Process of Creation
• (02:20:16) Sources of Inspiration
• (02:25:04) Avicii
• (02:30:05) Cost of living, Music gear, Software Updates
• (02:36:13) Inspiration (continued)
• (02:38:56) Life and work balance, Collaboration, Time management
• (02:47:47) Software and Virtual Instruments
• (02:50:19) Using Loops in Composition
• (03:03:24) Definition of an Artist
• (03:07:08) Message to Everyone's Smartphone
• (03:12:10) Wrapping up

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

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Ask it below in the comments or on social media:

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Chris Christodoulou is a composer based in Athens, Greece, writing music for video games (Risk of Rain series, The Sea Will Claim Everything), movies and other media (audio drama Gospels of the Flood), as well as stand-alone compositions.

CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU LINKS:

Website: https://www.chrischristodoulou.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/63OPPk7uHFdcpTuOFYpNfV?si=ZChNAaDnQGenP5pdEDnWOw

Bandcamp: https://chrischristodoulou.bandcamp.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AstronautDown

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astronautdown

X: https://twitter.com/AstronautDown

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Workspace, Workflow, Need for change, Gear Organization

(14:01:00) Value of the long-form conversation format

(25:04:00) Turning professional, Creative freedom, Work project selection

(39:58:00) Early life, Upbringing, Parental influence on music, Cultural influences

(56:25:00) Realizing and pursuing a career in music, Band Environment

(01:06:30) Evolution of music culture, Formalized music education, Impact of social media on musicianship, Value of being an Instrumentalist

(01:15:04) Understanding musical instruments as a composer, Importance of musical education

(01:22:42) Creativity, Inspiration, and the Creative process

(01:30:00) Originality in music composition, Studying music theory in Athens

(01:38:22) Studying music for film in Amsterdam, Love for film editing

(01:46:42) Reinventing yourself, Personal growth, Social pressure and expectations

(01:54:35) Becoming a video game composer, Proactivity, Dealing with rejection

(02:01:27) Taking risks, Trusting your creative intuition

(02:05:06) Inspiration beyond music

(02:14:32) Writing process, Creative block, Dealing with negative thoughts

(02:21:03) Work-Life balance, Becoming a father

(02:27:50) Lovecraftian themes and gaming

(02:30:48) Risk of Rain soundtrack process

(02:33:09) Daily routine and Creative process

(02:39:11) Knowing when to step away, Taking breaks

(02:44:30) Excitement about new audio gear, Thoughts on overreliance on modern tools

(02:56:38) Lessons learned from cats

(03:00:01) Lessons learned by becoming a parent

(03:05:59) Definition of an Artist

(03:10:13) Message sent to everyone's smartphone

(03:12:02) Finland and Greece