The music represented here is an example of some of the original compositions that I wrote in the late 90s in MIDI format. Similar to my Enhanced Game MIDIs, these works use general MIDI samples from my Yamaha Motif ES8 workstation keyboard. Although they were polished for presentation with expression and mixing tweaks, these songs overall maintain the Super Nintendo-inspired composition style that I produced years ago.

I made several MIDIs in the 1990s for a virtual world called Dreamscape: the first and last remaining zone in a vintage metacommunity called VZones (formerly WorldsAway).  Dreamscape features a fantasy atmosphere inspired by Greek mythology.  It is the land of the god of dreams, Morpheus, and its central area of interest is the City of Phantasus on the Island of Kymer.   Unlike music for Second Kingdom, the compositions written for Dreamscape all share a common melody—a leitmotif—and are entirely unofficial.

This western theme from July of 1996 represents Bar-L Bar, a saloon that was well-known for its house Red Eye.  The intro for the piece takes cues from an old western tune that many may recognise, but the rest is completely mine.  Some adjustments were made to the composition to improve its flow and balance using the same writing philosophy that I had in the 90s.  Amongst these changes are the improved guitar chord strumming techniques and the softening of some jarring hits, as well as some smaller tweaks.  Please enjoy this classic!

Disclaimer:
Dreamscape was a trademark of Fujitsu Ltd.
Second Kingdom was a trademark of Stratagem Corporation.
VZones is a trademark of VZones Ltd.
Content in screenshots were copyright of Fujitsu Ltd.

"Bar-L Bar" ~Vintage Original~ from Dreamscape

Melodies of Gaming is my musical analysis series that explores reimagined songs in official game titles, with the first 8 episodes hosted on GameXplain.  And this piece serves as both the opening theme and ending theme by sampling the A and B sections.  It's a jazz fusion with some inspiration from both a chord progression shown by a music instructor from nearly 30 years ago, and some flair from a JRPG.  In addition, the percussion takes cues from one of the sample heavy beats of the Roland FA workstation keyboard.  An older version of the composition was used for episodes 1-8, but now it has better balance and a new bassline.  Please enjoy this music in its complete form!


Melodies of Gaming on GameXplain:

➤ Episodes 1-8: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZLCn6eOKOyEEwI90huJKOFu9VsRxcJCC

Theme of Melodies of Gaming

This spacy theme was written exclusively for The Bit Beacon Broadcast, a gaming podcast hosted by Kodax (Taylor Greene), where a wide variety of topics relating to the game industry are discussed, with occasional guests like Ravenheart from Studio Ravenheart.  In fact, Ravenheart created the podcast logo, including the Metroid-esque mascot called the Space Crustacean.

The composition started as just pulsing chords and melody.  Beeps and boops were added upon request, and then a bass was added for better balance.  Before the most recent update, all of the layers were live performances with almost no polish.  However, I always wanted to add some sort of high strings or pads.  And so now, the polished version has pads, along with some unexpected percussion!  Please enjoy!


The Bit Beacon Broadcast:
https://shows.acast.com/bitbeacon

The Bit Beacon Website (Archive):
http://www.the-bitbeacon.com/

Disclaimer:
All graphics and audio represented here are copyright of The Bit Beacon.

The Bit Beacon Broadcast Theme

The music represented here is an example of some of the original compositions that I wrote in the late 90s in MIDI format. Similar to my Enhanced Game MIDIs, these works use general MIDI samples from my Yamaha Motif ES8 workstation keyboard. Although they were polished for presentation with expression and mixing tweaks, these songs overall maintain the Super Nintendo-inspired composition style that I produced years ago.

This peaceful tune is one of a few different area themes that I wrote for Azhavela, a cancelled game that was being developed by Mark Jordan and a few others from RPGamer.  Azhavela was inspired by a text-based, fantasy adventure MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) on IRC by the name of Zhai'helleva, meaning "Wind to Thy Wings" in the Tayledras language of the Valdemar novel series.

You would hear this music in Saviour's Villa, the water shrine dedicated to a fallen hero that is struck periodically with lightning.  The scroll above tells the story.  Inspired by elegant Final Fantasy themes, I filled the piece with harp, strings, choir, and piano.  I also wanted to add rain and thunder effects using applause and timpani respectively, considering the shrine's presence in the rainforest continent of Malone.   Originally, the MIDI was called Medea's Requiem because of the hero's deceased status.  But it was renamed later, since the composition really didn't have the signature elements of the church mass genre.  In 2001, the track was unintentionally used for an MMO game at the time, but I retained the rights.  Many small tweaks were made for this enhancement, such as diverse velocities in the drums with less percussion at the end, a bit more choir with minimal fade effects to prevent abrupt cuts, some adjustments to the ways the harp and music box play, and the removal of most thunder throughout, but the sequencing philosophy from 1998 generally was retained.

Disclaimer:
Story concept by Mark Jordan

"Medea's Sonata" ~Vintage Original~ from Azhavela

After GameXplain's Real Talk podcast ended in 2020, a rebranding was in the works.  Unfortunately, this new podcast series never came into fruition, but it could in the future.  Reflecting a more relaxing vibe, a new image with a sofa, Mario plush, and arcade cabinet in the background was made.  For the theme, I explored a few ideas with The Easy Allies Podcast theme by FantomenK as a very loose inspirational reference.  The results in early 2021 were three pretty different approaches, all using the official GameXplain Discussion Theme leitmotif.

This is what became the official theme for the unreleased GameXplain Lounge Podcast.  Rather than the usual GameXplain themes that extend over a minute in duration or a loop, this one was more inspired by radio jingles, akin to those I made for NintenDaan's unreleased Double Dash Radio.  It may be the most chill of the three ideas, blending traditional jazz instruments with digital sound.  Please enjoy!


Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

Disclaimer:
All graphics and audio represented here are copyright of GameXplain.
Logo image for the GameXplain Lounge Podcast was designed by Tom Arnold.
Original GameXplain Discussion Theme was written by Alexis C. on SoundCloud.  (https://soundcloud.com/acham)

GameXplain Lounge Podcast Theme (UNRELEASED)

This is a special record release from WarioWare D.I.Y. on the Nintendo DS.  The Record Maker interface is limited, so not all music data can be accurate. Please keep this in mind when making a judgment on it.  Since the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service has been discontinued, this record officially cannot be provided in WarioWare form anymore.  Only a downloadable MP3 may be provided on SoundCloud.  I apologise for the inconvenience!

After GameXplain's Real Talk podcast ended in 2020, a rebranding was in the works.  Unfortunately, this new podcast series never came into fruition, but it could in the future.  Reflecting a more relaxing vibe, a new image with a sofa, Mario plush, and arcade cabinet in the background was made.  For the theme, I explored a few ideas with The Easy Allies Podcast theme by FantomenK as a very loose inspirational reference.  The results in early 2021 were three pretty different approaches, all using the official GameXplain Discussion Theme leitmotif.

In response to the positive feedback given from the 8-bit arrangement of Cool Bits while it was in development, I decided to try an alternate theme in chiptune form for the podcast.  Rather than copying the approach of the official jingle, I wanted to give my first blues idea that I had for some time a new spin.  This alternate theme is arguably a bit more like the reference material given.  Please enjoy!


Disclaimer:

Original GameXplain Discussion Theme was written by Alexis C. on SoundCloud.  (https://soundcloud.com/acham)

Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

WarioWare D.I.Y. Records: "Lounge Podcast (Alt)" from GameXplain

After GameXplain's Real Talk podcast ended in 2020, a rebranding was in the works.  Unfortunately, this new podcast series never came into fruition, but it could in the future.  Reflecting a more relaxing vibe, a new image with a sofa, Mario plush, and arcade cabinet in the background was made.  For the theme, I explored a few ideas with The Easy Allies Podcast theme by FantomenK as a very loose inspirational reference.  The results in early 2021 were three pretty different approaches, all using the official GameXplain Discussion Theme leitmotif.

I wanted to implement this idea I had for a while for a blues remix of the theme, and I figured this was a good opportunity to explore it.  The first recordings of it sounded good, but they didn't quite hit the desired sound.  And so, the pitch was abandoned.   Since it wasn't going to be used for a podcast theme anyway, I realised that I could go all out with the bluesy idea and transform it into blues rock.  This is the resulting expansion, complete with a new intro, B section, ending, and more layers in both the B and C sections from what I had before.  Please enjoy!


Disclaimer:

Original GameXplain Discussion Theme was written by Alexis C. on SoundCloud.  (https://soundcloud.com/acham)

Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

GameXplain Lounge Podcast Theme Blues (DITCHED PITCH!)

The music represented here is an example of some of the original compositions that I wrote in the late 90s in MIDI format. Similar to my Enhanced Game MIDIs, these works use general MIDI samples from my Yamaha Motif ES8 workstation keyboard. Although they were polished for presentation with expression and mixing tweaks, these songs overall maintain the Super Nintendo-inspired composition style that I produced years ago.

I made several MIDIs in the 1990s for a virtual world called Dreamscape: the first and last remaining zone in a vintage metacommunity called VZones (formerly WorldsAway).  Dreamscape features a fantasy atmosphere inspired by Greek mythology.  It is the land of the god of dreams, Morpheus, and its central area of interest is the City of Phantasus on the Island of Kymer.   Unlike music for Second Kingdom, the compositions written for Dreamscape all share a common melody—a leitmotif—and are entirely unofficial.

This samba theme from September of 1997 represents Isle Caribe, a tropical club with island jungle safari décor.  Back then, progress on the project ceased for no clear cut reason, but I do recall that I was unhappy with the way the steel drums were handled later.   Picking up the project again nearly 28 years later, I added the B section and ending to match the others of the set.  Some adjustments were made to the composition to improve its flow and balance using the same writing philosophy that I had in the 90s.  Amongst these changes are the improved diversity in the percussion line, the transfer of the early bottle blow phrases to the choir, and some smaller tweaks made to the steel drums and bass.  Please enjoy this classic!

Disclaimer:
Dreamscape was a trademark of Fujitsu Ltd.
Second Kingdom was a trademark of Stratagem Corporation.
VZones is a trademark of VZones Ltd.
Content in screenshots were copyright of Fujitsu Ltd.

"Isle Caribe" ~Vintage Original~ from Dreamscape

Undertale Purple a fan project headed up by Miracle_Captors714, who was inspired by the original Undertale and emboldened by the success of Undertale Yellow, an unrelated fan-made game.  It tells the story of the purple SOUL of Perseverance, possessed by a human named Audrey who travels the Underground to research the mysteries of the world of monsters—both friendly and hostile.

The in-game story behind this music and the process in creating it may be considered mild spoilers, so please read on only if you don't mind the identity and motivations of this final boss.

@@@ MILD SPOILERS START @@@

This music is heard during the final showdown against Sir Durin V. Neufchâtel, who lost everything, including his pregnant wife—Skylla—and every loved one in his life, because of you, the player who chose to murder them on this path.  The composition was written to convey his sadness over this loss, having nothing left to lose but to avenge them by challenging you to a final duel.

Because his wife was so dear to him, elements of Scylla's theme appear as part of an overarching leitmotif, originally composed by salad9990.  Even the original beta melody for Scylla's theme that Miracle made appears after the Japanese section as a high saw lead.  

@@@ MILD SPOILERS END @@@

This theme starts with classical grand piano that is straight from the Undertale soundfont.  It then becomes a sombre synth rock with a leitmotif related to the theme of a particular important character associated with the boss.  After this part, the piece leads into traditional Japanese music that is fully realised in the form of enka, a style of Japanese lament music typically expressed with melancholic singing.  It returns to a different synth rock with a countermelody that I was asked to include because it was the beta melody of the aforementioned character's theme.  Near the end, more reference to the leitmotif continues before bringing it all back to the original feeling presented in the intro.  I'm quite pleased with how this turned out.  Please enjoy this track, and consider supporting Undertale Purple!


Official Site for Undertale Purple:
https://gamejolt.com/games/Undertale_Purple/888638

Official OST for Undertale Purple:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXUb8eu-CE0QWQp6b1jD0xzEEZlzpmjIU

Official Scylla's Theme by salad9990 (https://soundcloud.com/slade9990)

Art by Bililies (https://www.deviantart.com/bililies)

Undertale Purple, a fan project, is managed by Miracle_Captors714 and Frabbone.
Undertale is copyright of Royal Sciences, LLC.

"Biting the Cat" ~Genocide Route: Final Battle (Phase 1)~ from Undertale Purple

Know Your Enemy was a introspective series on GameXplain focusing individual baddies in various video games.  Only five episodes released, with the last concluding in 2015.  Before the series clearly slipped into indefinite hiatus, I started writing a theme in 2016 with hopes that it would be used in future episodes.  It was first shown to the team at E3 2016, where I autistically blasted it from my handheld speaker while hanging out with them in the west lobby.

From the very start, it was a playful jazz noir, reflecting the idea of a detective gathering information for a file on a suspect.  This naturally was inspired by the imagery of the record on the enemy of focus.  The composition started with the whole Pink Panther vibe with the acoustic bass and triangle, which evolved as a separate loop into a richer groove with moody saxophone, arpeggiated square waves, piano, acoustic bass, and brush kit.  Square lead and vibraphone layers was tested soon after, and they since have been applied officially.  Nine years later, I decided to complete this unfinished piece, even though the series is unlikely to return.  In the finished piece, I included mute trumpet, a transition from the minimalist approach to the more complex concept, concluding it with new content that ends on a minor major ninth chord, a variation of the Hitchcock chord or James Bond chord.  While this may forever remain unused, I hope you enjoy the piece that is a look into GameXplain's past and my own.

Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

Disclaimer:
All graphics and audio represented here are copyright of GameXplain.
Know Your Enemy art assets were created by Tom Arnold.  (https://x.com/RaginTombo)

New tracks tagged #Mathew Kirkegaard