Composer Thomas Cipollone writes 8-bit scores for games that release on NES cartridges. He has to adhere to all the rules composers followed in the 80s, constricted heavily by the size of his audio files and the voicings he can compose.


And he does so brilliantly, with creative textures, great grooves and fulfilling melodies. We spoke about four of his scores, some of which have been released, some of which are still in the process of getting released: Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike and the Quest for Stale Gum, Full Quiet, Unicorn and Beyond the Pins.
You can find a playlist and support Level with Emily on Patreon. Join us on Discord for free. Find us on YouTube and Twitter. Patrons have access to special Discord events and special guest playlists.

Level 207: Thomas Cipollone (Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike and the Quest for Stale Gum)

Great conversations about music in games, as well as voice actors, musicians, developers, audio directors, and more

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Games & Hobbies

Leisure

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

Level 256: Lennie Moore (Outcast - A New Beginning)

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.
PLAYLISTby 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

Level 255: Zac Tiessen(Vanitas + Viriditas)

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. 
PLAYLISTfrom 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

Level 254: Dom Palombi's Game Night! Vol. 2

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.
PLAYLISTby Chase Bethea for Stardander School for Witches unless noted otherwise
00:00 The Conjurations of Touchstone
3:46 Daily Activities6:20 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

Level 253: Chase Bethea (Stardander School for Witches)

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

Level 207: Thomas Cipollone (Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike and the Quest for Stale Gum)

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