

Given the above, consider that the songs in VVVVVV were written from my heart. Typically, I like to write music when I’m feeling really good, happy and enthusiastic. This intuitive way of writing music has also made me make music only when I feel like it. There have been few places where I’ve forced myself to make music in a certain way. The music I write is therefore “true,” in the felt sense of the word. It’s a way of sharing myself to the world, how I feel. It’s that if you believe someone when they say that kind of stuff to you, you might unconsciously put a lid on the very thing that made you want to go into music in the first place: your own soul’s unique voice.įor me, music is an expression of my inner life. This is not about saying education is bad. Of course, this isn’t always the case, and most educations are great. That you should follow a certain structure, follow the rules, and if you don’t do it right, you shouldn’t be in the business of making music. Sometimes, those who have the hardest time being creative are those who have been taught in various educations that there is a right way and a wrong way to create music.
#Positive force vvvvvv how to
Many people come to me and ask what programs I use, how I get inspired, how to be creative.

I am entirely self-taught when it comes to music, for good and bad. Why do you feel it’s stood out to players in a way that few soundtracks have? I cut out entire sections after writing these songs until I got everything “just right.” It took almost a month to complete because of all the structures, details and harmonic intricacies that went into it.ģ) I’m not sure I’ve ever read a review of VVVVVV that doesn’t specifically praise the music. And thus, “Potential for Anything” was dreamed up. We inspired each other, like a symbiotic relationship designed to evolve the game.Īt a certain point, I felt there was enough good stuff in there, but I wanted a masterpiece in there, that would stand out for a long time. And then he needed more music! So I made “Positive Force.”Īnd then he had that one on loop for days on end, and made another level. Terry put “Pushing Onwards” into the updated beta, and got inspired by the song so much that he created a new level. He would give me the beta, I would play it, and then think, “What does the ideal platformer song sound like in my head?” And then I produced “Pushing Onwards.” Instructions were limited to just a few adjectives.
#Positive force vvvvvv free
It was using an old c64 placeholder song, but I was largely given free reign. I thought it was a great idea, since I’ve loved games all my life, so I was happy to make a songs for the game.Ģ) How much guidance were you given in terms of your work on the soundtrack? Any specific atmosphere or tempo to reach for? (The song is “Retro Tune” and can be found as track number four on my album “S” here.) He emailed me and asked if I wanted to make music for his (then-supposed-to-be) free game called VVVVVV. It’s called Space Phallus if you want to play it.Īnyway, Terry naturally played Charlie’s game, and liked the song I had provided. The game turned out to be a shoot-em-up where you play a severed dog’s head, raining hot death on evil attacking space-penises that attack you with semen. He came back a month later and gave me a copy. I said sure, as long as I can have a copy of the game when it’s done.
#Positive force vvvvvv for free
I had put up some of my music for free download online, and one of Terry’s friends named Charlie asked me if he could use one of my songs for his game. It’s absolutely incredible, and has been on permanent rotation for me.)ġ) How did you originally get involved with Terry Cavanagh? How did your contribution to VVVVVV come about?įirst of all, thank you for having me on here on this excellent site for an interview! It’s my pleasure to answer your questions. (Also, on a personal note, I can highly recommend Adventure. So, while the delay wasn’t deliberate, I’m happy to be able to finally post the interview at a time when you can actually buy the album! Only recently did I find it, and it might have been a stroke of good timing, since Pålsson had some technical difficulties with his web-host that prevented anyone from purchasing the album until now. Great! …except that when my computer crashed soon afterward, I thought I lost the draft. He had just released a metal remix of that game’s soundtrack, MMMMMM and he quickly consented to an interview to help promote it. Mason on Fight, Megaman! (Mega Man X, 1993)Ī while back I reached out to Magnus Pålsson, better known as SoulEye, and best known for composing the stellar soundtrack of VVVVVV.

Stephen G Matthews on Fight, Megaman! (Mega Man 11, 2018).Ross on Fight, Megaman! (Mega Man X, 1993).Spooky on Fight, Megaman! (Mega Man X, 1993).
