Most of us are very familiar with the computerized music of the video game industry, quirky and repetitious and the kind of stuff that gets stuck in your head for months on end, especially if you play the game night and day for weeks straight. But what happens when you start incorporating the best elements of Japanese pop into the background music and theme songs of video games? V-pop! Well, video game pop anyway. In our first Behind the Scenes feature, The Last Doctor asks Swinging Popsicle bassist Hironobu Hirata about his work with video games and how he plans to bring a brand new sound to gamers around the world.

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How did you get involve with video games?

There were some fans of Swinging Popsicle at a video game company called ‘Nitroplus’.

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How did you specifically get involved with SUMAGA `Star Mine Girl?

The Director of SUMAGA said to me, “This game needs a pop sound. It’s you!” I think he was going to bring a brand new pop sound into the video game scene.

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How many video game projects have you be involved with?

Only two: ‘SUMAGA Star Mine Girl ‘ and ‘SUMAGA Special ‘. SUMAGA was the first work in game music for me. I am scheduled to work on two new games by Nitroplus this year.

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What kind of music to do produce for video games?

I tried to make a sound that was not like a video game. I kept it in mind to make the music that has a human feeling. Almost all video game music is machine-made music. I avoided the performance of machines as much as possible. I do not use MIDI actually. I really play most of it.

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How much of the game to do see before you create the music?

I have not played video games before. But it is good for me to make music for SUMAGA. Because SUMAGA needed that pop sound that is not influenced by video game music. The director of SUMAGA told me the concept, the situation and the characters thoroughly many times. So I could do it.

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How do you usually come up with ideas?

The idea comes out of everyday life, like if I feel like going on a trip somewhere every day. So I was able to make about 60 BGM (background music).

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Do the game’s creators give you any input?

Yes, a lot! The game’s creators have the definite image. They sometimes said “No” to some songs. I rewrote them many times. However, their “No” is exciting for me.

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Are there any elements that you use within a single game?

I keep it in mind so that it is music that someone can hum. It is just like having a sense of closeness to the music.

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Do you use themes for specific characters or environments?

Yes. Regarding BGM, the director gave me an explanation. He has a deep knowledge of music. Then we discussed its tempo, key, the organization of musical instruments, effects. I materialize it.

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Do you try to create music that is different from typical background music?

Yes. But I do not understand the typical background music. A video game music creator is basically different from a pop music creator. The venues are different, and correct answers in music are different too. Pop music makes correct answers themselves.

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The theme for SUMAGA~Star Mine Girl is “(a) SLOW STAR”. How did you come up with the theme?

I thought it needed a real drum sound that is simple and strong. And also needs beautiful male chorus in close relation to female vocal. I only cook when the material becomes complete.

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And how did you come up with “Perfect Loop,” the theme for SUMAGA SPECIAL?

I wrote this song imagining what the fans would want to hear after ‘(a)SLOW STAR’. It was like solving the puzzle.

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Do the theme songs somehow incorporate the plot of the game?

Lyrics must have very little necessity of expression to the game content. Because when theme song plays at the ending of the game, it should be a moving song.

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Between SUMAGA `Star Mine Girl and SUMAGA SPECIAL, do they share any similar qualities?

Yes, I have. We tried to bring high quality pop music into game music. Not computer music but a shiny pure pop sound. It was a new challenge for Swinging Popsicle. Video game music scene is different from the usual music scene (for example Rock, Pop, Hip Hop). Video game players are proud of their culture. This is a part of OTAKU culture. OTAKU culture is pure and honest. We are honored to be welcomed by Otaku.

www.swinging-popsicle.com ¦ www.nitroplususa.com

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A Korean Cover of “Perfect Loop”