Category Archives: MUSIC

MP3s or direct links to download music posted in this category

GameChops releases it’s first compilation!

GameChops: Game music record label
GameChops: Game Music Record Label compilation now available from music.gamechops.com

GameChops is an electronic game music record label; It’s first of its kind to release licensed video game remixes. There have been many websites and other sources of great video game remixes, but no organization dedicated to legally clearing game covers and directly supporting those who make them. That is, until now.

I started GameChops back in April of 2012, intending it to be a simple netlabel. But in August of 2012, our album The Triforce of Bass hit #1 on Bandcamp, and I realized that I could do more with this idea. Thanks to the awesome guys at Joypad Records in San Francisco, we were able to start clearing licenses for our remixes with the companies that made the original games. Now, in 2013, we’re making that our mission.

By clearing the rights, it allows us to post our tracks without fear copyright complaints on major music outlets like iTunes, Spotify and Amazon. Furthermore, it allows our remixes to be used in broadcast and syndication, which is impossible prior to clearing the rights. It’s a very exciting idea for me to think about a time when a game company like Capcom or Microsoft might reach out and request a remix for use in their game. In fact, it’s already happening.

This compilation is a collection of our favorite tracks that were produced in our first year, some of them unreleased until now! I hope it can help use raise a little money to help support our operation, but mostly I’d like this comp to exhibit the versatility and scope of video game remix artists. From Ben Briggs’ incredible fun dub take on Sonic the Hedgehog, to my remix of Halo 4 featuring MegaRan, the compilation spans 20 tracks and a myriad of genres.

Titled simply “Game Music Record Label” this album contains new tracks and last year’s favorites! To say Thank You for the support we’ve seen thus far, the album will be set to “Name-Your-Price” for the first week. Please contribute what you can, all proceeds go to cover licensing and supporting GameChops.

Long live #gamemusic!

Memories of MAGFest Concerts: Dj CUTMAN

This year at MAGFest, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a concert featuring the master of mastering, the man behind the first ever dedicated VGM music label, the one, the only, Dj CUTMAN! (insert fanfare of choice here). OH WOW! THAT’S THE GUY WHO RUNS THIS SITE! HOW NEATO!

This year’s MAGFest was one to remember for CUTMAN, because not only did he absolutely kill it on the main stage throughout his entire packed-house performance, but he also announced that he be taking a bit of a hiatus from doing shows as Dj CUTMAN in order to concentrate on Gamechops. Since its inception in 2012, his Gamechops label has produced a number of mind-blowingly awesome VGM albums, and rest assured, many more are on the way, but, y’all knew that already.

There was one other thing about his performance that was interesting though, because somebody, who looks NOTHING like the Dj CUTMAN we know and love, showed up on stage to get the show started…and of course, all photos are credited to the lovely Tron Bonne (she does a lot of cover art for CUTMAN, and her art rules so you should check it out).

Continue reading Memories of MAGFest Concerts: Dj CUTMAN

MAGFest hits the road, baby!!! 8)

The only legitimate gripes that I’ve ever heard about MAGFest are that it’s only once a year & stuck in one location. And those qripes have been quite founded, as they’ve been true up to this point.

…UNTIL NOW.

Just in case your mind is currently TOO ASPLODY to comprehend what’s happening here, LEMME BREAK IT DOWN FOR YA!! ;D

Starting February 3rd – this coming Sunday night!!! – MAGFest will OFFICIALLY be presenting its first in a series of concerts at the Red7 in Austin, Texas!! For a mere $10 in advance/$12 on the day of, you can snag a ticket to catch this inaugural MAG-tour kickoff, which includes some badass video games, awesome bands, and all in all MAGFESTY GOOD TIMES!! 
Lineup includes the debut of the all(most) new Descendants of ErdrickLords of ThunderUrizenMegaran, & Dr. Awkward!! If you’re ANYWHERE near this indefinable collection of AMAZEBALLS (and hell, even if you’re not!!), I think you know what you need to do…

GET DAT ASS TO MAGFEST!!!!!

Much \m||m/ as always,
Hoodie

P.S. Want a little additional motivation to go to this MAG-show and/or any others that may come near you? MAGFest will be judging the response of these shows to scout out potential locations for a full fledged additional MAGFest at some point in the relatively near future.
So yeah. There’s that too. ;)

Redundant linkymajiggers:
Game Over Austin Facebook event
Red7
Tickets
Descendants of Erdrick
Lords of Thunder
Urizen
Megaran
Dr. Awkward

TFM Music Maker’s Creator Shiru Releases 16-bit Synth Rock Album

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Shiru has been contributing to the retro gaming and chiptune scene since 2007 and anyone who has ever wanted to create the classic sounds of the Sega Genesis sound card owe him a huge a debt of gratitude for creating the excellent TFM Music Maker (aka VGM Music Maker).

Aside from making the best Sega Genesis tracker, he’s created homebrew SNES games, NES games and lots of other stuff. Just last week, Shiru released his first album Player Alone, a love letter to the 16-bit synth rock of games like Megaman X and Journey to Silius – that’s what it reminds me of anyways!

I totally love the album cover for Player Alone. It really fits the mood of the album perfectly.
I totally love the album cover for Player Alone. It really fits the mood of the album perfectly.

The instrumental album is a barrage of high speed synthesized guitars and pounding bass. It’s very coherent and has a theme running throughout it:

In the age of digital escapism, it is easy to view life as a video game. One is the hero of his own game. Getting through endless levels of ever changing reality, struggling with the outer and inner, continuing the everlasting chase for elusive dreams. The greatest enemy on this way that should never be allowed to ruin anything is the fear that this game is in fact a single player one.

The album art and music itself echoes the theme with a constant feeling of heroic struggle against the odds and relentless determinism. The album’s great coherency is probably its only weakness; most of the tracks kind of blend together into one long piece with a few exceptions. These exceptions are the highlights of the album in my mind. Extra Puzzle Piece and McBonus Break are two pieces that break the mold and introduce some new elements. Save Yourself has some awesome virtual shredding that is totally amazing. There is not a single weak track. From the title to the end every track will keep you moving and intent on whatever your doing. I need music like this!

Shriu’s album is for free, you can download it here. He is however trying to raise money for cancer research and you can make a donation for downloading his album here. I think we all owe this guy at least a few bucks for all he’s done for the scene over the year, and even more so if its for charity.

Get the album today!

 

BeatScribeFaceBeatscribe is a full time indie composer, musician and writer. By day he creates soundtracks for various mobile gaming companies, by night creates megaman-inspired chiptunes, in the afternoons he drinks tea.  Check out his latest releases, tutorials and retro ruminations at www.beatscribe.com.