We Love Indie Game Music

By: Derek Yu

On: November 27th, 2010

I don’t know how it is where you are, but over here the Christmas tunes have already started creeping out of the tinsel-covered woodwork! In light of this, I thought I’d share some of the things in the world of indie game music that have brought holiday cheer to me recently. It really feels like it’s been a stand-out year for indie game composers, who are doing some amazing things in this community. Have a listen!

Plants vs. Zombies OST – One and half years after the release of Plants vs. Zombies, composer Laura Shigihara has been given permission to put out the game’s soundtrack, which includes both English and Japanese versions of her hit song “Zombies on my Lawn”. Laura is also working on Melolune, an RPG based around the concept of collecting song fragments.

Super Meat Boy OST – This little game called Super Meat Boy got released recently. Dunno if you heard about it, but Danny Baranowsky did the soundtrack for it, so I guess that makes it okay in my book. Not only that, he raised $2,500 for multiple sclerosis research by selling it!

Videogame Music in Context: DVD Interview Series – Game music journalist Jeriaska is working on an amazing project: he wants to put together a series of DVDs about video game music that includes interviews with some of the most recognizable names in the field, like Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu and Cave Story creator Daisuke “Pixel” Amaya. On top of that, Jeriaska is working with Locomalito to release a 2-disc CD soundtrack and remix album for the popular shmup Hydorah. LET’S HELP MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

VVVVVV OST – Magnus Pålsson, also known as “Souleye”, wrote some really catchy chip music for Terry Cavanagh’s VVVVVV. The album, which is appropriately named PPPPPP, is so very good.

Hero Core OST – Likewise, Brother Android’s epic-sounding, somber, and lo-fi soundtrack for Daniel Remar‘s Hero Core fits the game’s mood very well.

HyperDuck Music Studios – Chris Geehan and Dan Byrne McCullough of HyperDuck Studios did the soundtrack for Daniel Remar’s Iji, and even though the game came out in 2008, I think the music deserves a special mention here (especially since it’s only recently gone up on the group’s new Bandcamp site). These days, the talented pair are working on a number of projects, including Dust: An Elysian Tale, and a high-quality remake of the Iji OST.

Superbrothers: Sword&Sorcery EP I know I’ve posted this before, but man, I can’t get over this beautiful collaboration between Superbrothers, Capy Games, and musician Jim Guthrie. Coming soon to iDevices near you, hopefully.

Osmos OST – Hemisphere Games’ Osmos (which is now on iPad) happens to have a fantastic soundtrack that was released for free this year. Featuring music by Loscil, Gas 0095, Julien Neto, and High Skies, this album is suitably chill to go with Osmos’s serene atmosphere.

GunGirl 2 OST – I’m going to be perfectly honest and say that this is not what I was expecting when I read “GunGirl 2 soundtrack”. But Josh Whelchel is a impressive figure in the indie game community, having composed memorable soundtracks for Bonesaw and The Spirit Engine 2. Josh also organized Songs for the Cure, an anthology of music by indie musicians that has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research.

Machinarium OST Limited LP Reissue – In case you missed out on the limited release of Tomas “Floex” Dvorak’s lovely Machinarium soundtrack on vinyl, a reissue is being printed and will be shipped on December 8th. If you want one! Here’s a preview of 6 of the 14 tracks on the LP.

Pause Plus – Eirik Suhrke, aka “Phlogiston”, is a frequent collaborator with indie game developers (including myself!), and also runs Pause Music, a label for independent and chiptune artists. Recently, he did the soundtracks for jwaap’s Super Crate Box and Lazrool’s Warlock Bentspine, both of which you can find in the Pause Plus catalog.

Alec Holowka – My buddy Alec is always so busy! Aside from the Aquaria soundtrack, Alec has released some songs from his new project, Marian, as well as a compilation of music he composed for games by Kyle Pulver. On top of that, he’s started an awesome series of informal podcasts with other developers and built an indie arcade machine, the Winnitron, with some of his fellow Winnipeggers (flashes “W” gang sign and gold necklace with diamond-encrusted maple leaf on it).

IGF Audio Award Jury Announcement – And finally, one of the more welcome changes being made to IGF next year is the inclusion of special panels for each award. The jury for the Audio Award was announced recently, and the line-up is pretty awesome.

Many thanks to the TIGForumers who kindly volunteered suggestions for this post in this thread. Please let me know in the comments what you’re listening to these days!