New Albums Released!
Well…. “new albums” is sorta stretching it.
Here’s what I mean: one album was originally written for an unreleased video game back in 2017. It was a neat platformer with a Metroidvania type of approach. The music was interactive so it changed based on game play. Unfortunately, the publisher deal fell through for my client so it was never finished. The good thing is, however, my contract with this client allowed me to keep full rights to the music. The music brief described a soundtrack that was heavily electronic in nature and combined tense moods with danger and a sense of exploration. At the higher levels of game play, my client wanted the music to be quite driving – even aggressive.
Since this was originally written for a video game that fell through, I had to come up with a new name for the album. I went with “Unexplored Worlds” and I hope you like it! You can check out the entire EP here:
The Other “New” Album is a montage… years in the making
This other album recently released is a collection of covers I’ve done with various artists since 2015. These were all launched under a record label that, unfortunately, got into hot water by not paying its artists. There was some exchanges and as a result all of the community albums that this label published were taken down. It was a really frustrating and sad thing.
Thankfully, I was able to commission new cover art and re-release these songs under a new EP entitled “Press Start! Video Game Music Covers”. Most of these songs were arranged by me completely on my own, while two of them were collaborations. Bongo Bonanza! and Chillin’ in Esto Gaza were arranged by Ryan Reilly and myself. There were two large ensembles for The Mancer’s Swing (from the game Bastion) and The Frostlands (from Octopath Traveler). One six of these tracks I’m also a performer (in some cases on several instruments). Theme of Laura, the iconic title theme to Silent Hill 2, is for string quartet and I don’t play anything stringed very well. Coordinating, recording and editing all of these parts was a massive undertaking and I’m thrilled with how they turned out!
You can check out the entire 7 track album here:
When I can, I’d like to do more covers because video game music is such an anchor to both my personal and professional lives – being both a gamer and a composer. Plus, it’s just such fun! Arranging is such a unique skill and I don’t get to do it nearly as often as I’d like.
Who knows, maybe you’ll see some more VGM cover albums in the future!
Busy Times!
I’ve taken on some new projects that are very exciting but I can’t really talk about yet. One of them is literally the hardest thing I’ve taken on yet so it’s both daunting and super inspiring. I can already tell I’m learning and growing whilst working on it. I’ll share more as I can but for now, that’s about all I can say. As with any creative venture, it’s always a good thing to continually push your boundaries, learn more and discover new tricks.
SkateBIRD DLC
One new thing I CAN talk about is the fact that SkateBIRD is getting some DLC. And I’m writing some new music for it! That’s happening currently so I don’t have much more information than that for now. It should be quite groovy. Stay tuned!
In Other News… I’m Old
“Old” seems to be the theme for this update… so why not keep at it. I officially have reading glasses… or computer glasses as I’m calling them. My far vision is still perfect – 20/20 but looking at things up close takes a second to focus. So if you see me on webcam or reading a book… I may look shockingly more distinguished and intellectual. I might even have a blazer with those elbow patches on…. perhaps even a smoking pipe. (I’m still perfecting the British accent though…)
BIO
Nate Madsen is an established composer, sound designer with 16+ years experience and over 870 credits. He’s worked in-house at FUNimation Entertainment, NetDevil, Bee Cave Games and is currently a Principal Composer, Sound Designer for SciPlay. He also helps out often with creating sound design, mixing and mastering anime trailers and commercials for FUNimation. Two of his recent side projects have been Great Wolf Lodge’s Magiquest and Glass Bottom Game’s SkateBIRD. He lives in Austin, Texas, loves craft beer and dreams of queso. Be sure to reach out to Nathan with any audio needs you may have!