The Joystiq Show - 006: Musical Players

Music has been a key component of games for a long time. It can spur nostalgia and range of emotions like little else is able.

This week, Richard talks with a few of the people behind game music, from composers to proponents. Games provide a canvas for all types of music, and we cover the gamut on a journey from classical to trip-hop.

Part 1 (2:10) - Interview: Emily Reese - Host, Top Score Podcast

Part 2 (15:32) - Interview: Lizzie Cuevas - Guitarist, The Glowing Stars

Part 3 (20:52) - Interview: Matt "Chainsaw" Chaney & Darren Korb

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Host: Richard Mitchell (@S enseiRAM)
Guests: Emily Reese (@TopScorePodcast), Lizzie Cuevas (@lizziecuevas), Matt "Chainsaw" Chaney (@chainsaw) and Darren Korb (@DarrenKorb)

Producer: Jonathan Downin (@jonathandownin - Game Thing Daily)
Production Coordinator:

Richard Mitchell
Music: Trash80 and Broke For Free.

See the full guest list, and stream the show, after the break.

Host
Richard Mitchell - Contributing Editor, Joystiq.com

Interviewees
Emily Reese - Host, Top Score Podcast (http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/programs/top-score/)
Lizzie Cuevas - Guitarist, The Glowing Stars (theglowingstars.com)
Matt "Chainsaw" Chaney - Audio Lead, Twisted Pixel (twistedpixelgames.com)Darren Korb – Audio & Music, Supergiant Games (supergiantgames.com)

Reader Comments (26)

This sounds awesome! I'm completely enchanted with Top Score. It's probably the single most intelligent video game show that's currently active.

I love Top Score. Emily does a great job. The episode about the music and sound in the Dead Space games was terrifying in itself.

Not trying to be a douche but has the style returned to the old format? After 1&1/2 episodes of the new format I unsubscribed and seeing there are only two comments so far I assume other have left as well.

@The angry pro consumer gaming ga

Yeah I kind of got into the podcast just as the transition happened so I'm confused. Are Justin, Chris and Ludwig gone forever? Or will we now only hear from them once a month on With A Q?

@The angry pro consumer gaming ga
I know a lot of work goes into these new shows and I applaud the Joystiq crew for producing such high quality work, but I've only listened to, I think, 2 episodes. The old format had game news, community interaction through emails being read, and just general humor. I'm happy I still have a funny, weekly podcast to look forward to in MBMBaM but , I just don't think this new stuff is doing it for me.

@(Unverified)

Pretty Sure that with a Q is going to be once a month. Pretty sure they mentioned it a couple of times both in the podcast and the comments of the podcast.

@YimYimYimi
I did listen to "With a Q?", though. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

@Onomah

Yeah I know With A Q is going to be monthly, or at least remember hearing that. I'm just not clear on the new format. Has the old podcast, hosts and all, gone forever?

Still in love with the new format. Keep up the exceptional work. And it's always a pleasure to hear the lovely and talented Lizzie Cuevas!!!!

When is the next episode with the original trio?

Another solid show, guys. Loving it.

Holy crap, Glowing Stars? Awesome!

Now that there have been a few shows in the new format, it's time to address the relative quality of the new show with the old show. Obviously, the new show is much better produced, with an outline and everything. Indeed, it now qualifies for the title of "show". It's very similar to what Irrational Behaviour does, the Irrational Games' infrequent podcast. I greatly appreciate the focus and the themed podcasts. However, I sure do miss the old podcast. You were bagging on it, on how terrible it was as you were transitioning, but truth be told, I liked the impromptu hour-and-a-half much more. I don't care about production or "quality", I just want to hear Justin, Ludwig and Chris shoot the poop. Maybe you can bring it back someday?

I can appreciate the amount of work that goes into the Joystiq show, and it is very informative and well produced....but...I just don't look forward to the joystiq show every week like I used to with the Joystiq podcast/X3F.

I want to hear about current games, how the editors feel about them, current big news, and all the sidebars and riffing that goes along with that discussion.

It doesn't have to be Chris, Ludwig and Justin every episode, but perhaps the old style show with a bit more structure and production quality, and then bringing in different editors each week to host.

Everyone at Joystiq that I've heard on various podcasts have a great sense of humour and I think any three or four editors would be entertaining. You guys can take turns hosting.

I really dislike the new format, I didn't know Joystiq metamorphed into NPR. I miss my Ludwig, Justin, and Chris. :( This podcast is for stuffy old men or those who wish to get to sleep fast.

@MongolianMisfit

Too bad they don't miss you, or their other listeners. They'd rather just take to twitter and call them names. Because it's impossible to be objective about disliking this steaming turd of a show. (I'm not objective)

Not fond of the new format. I *did* dig this episode, though. I love video game music. :)

@MusicBox Pretty much what I was going to say

Good show guys. I really like the change to going with an answer with an overdubbed question providing context. The segments have a much better flow to them with this approach.

Thanks for new format guys. I think it is really a nice departure from every other gaming podcast out there.

Sorry Joystiq but I'm unsubbing! I really tried to like the the new format, but it really is a bore and lacking personality.

Great show. This is the best one you've done. Keep it up!

I don't usually comment, but I just have to say that this podcast format is so much better than the older format. It's different from other podcasts, it's always interesting, it's very professional, it's well produced, and it gives fresh perspectives every week on various video game related subjects. I didn't like the old format because of the hosts. Their dynamic was so strange. Not to mention the awkward pauses and their laughter spiking the audio. I'm glad that I'm not the only person who likes the new better than the old. Also, awesome to see Lizzie Cuevas make a podcast appearance since she left Gamesradar. The Glowing Stars rock!

What other podcasts do you guys recommend that were more like the old format? The old one used to be my source for news / reviews, what ones do you like?

@(Unverified)

Someone recommended the Giant Bomb cast, but I am finding more and more they are talking about old arcade systems and MOBA's, neither of which I have any interest in...I am still trying to decide if it is worth the 2 hour listen, but maybe I should wait until there is anything interesting to talk about after this drought of games

@(Unverified)

RebelFM
Weekendconfirmed
Giantbomb

I know it is late, but I thought I should comment on this show. I listened to the old format for years, and while I enjoyed most of it, this episode finally pulled me into liking the new format. I didnt much enjoy the transition, namely the content covered for the first few shows. Maybe it is that I miss the [insert name of podcast that was smart, well produced, and he made his own music for the show - cant remember then name!] and its content and production. Thanks for bringing me back, I am getting tired of gaming podcasts that just ramble on about nothing, this is what I have been missing lately!

What song is played at the end of Darren Korb's Bastion segment (41:30)? I love it, and It sounds like something that would be from the Bastion soundtrack, but I couldn't find it in my initial perusal through the songs!

The Joystiq Show - 006: Musical Players

Reader Comments (26)

Posted: Aug 19th 2011 7:35PM Courtney said

Posted: Aug 19th 2011 7:57PM BigE4284 said

Posted: Aug 19th 2011 9:52PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said

Posted: Aug 19th 2011 11:25PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 20th 2011 5:44AM YimYimYimi said

Posted: Aug 20th 2011 5:45AM Onomah said

Posted: Aug 20th 2011 5:47AM YimYimYimi said

Posted: Aug 20th 2011 11:06AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 19th 2011 9:54PM grizzly311 said

Posted: Aug 19th 2011 10:24PM blueskyv201 said

Posted: Aug 19th 2011 10:30PM Grand Kerfuffle said

Posted: Aug 20th 2011 6:18AM ch3burashka said

Posted: Aug 20th 2011 8:34AM GobiWan said

Posted: Aug 20th 2011 8:51AM MongolianMisfit said

Posted: Aug 20th 2011 7:48PM Martin C said

Posted: Aug 21st 2011 3:43AM MusicBox said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 8:23AM kalmis said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 2:53PM spid said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:52AM Dr V said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:50PM ilduce620 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:19PM daruniah said

Posted: Aug 29th 2011 6:00PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 2nd 2011 10:45AM dpaul420 said

Posted: Sep 2nd 2011 10:13PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 2nd 2011 10:41AM dpaul420 said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 3:07PM Beanalby said

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