The video game world is about four to five decades into its history. In the beginning, the 1980s defined video game classics. Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, and Castlevania, among countless others, are long-running series that remain beloved with every new iteration. The music of their early versions was limited by technology, but enriched by how creatively their composers maximized their resources. As the technology advanced and allowed more musicians to express themselves freely, video game music launched into new adventurous territory. The “new kids on the block” — composers that revered the classics and wanted to leave their own mark, were now able to create a new wave of video game music. This would be music that, given the financial resources (or sometimes despite their absence), could rival the sound and emotional stir of Hollywood films. The sound of these modern video game classics is the sound of choral chants and percussive chugs in Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori’s score to Halo. It’s the sound of Harry Gregson-Williams’ soaring strings for Metal Gear Solid. It’s the sound of Melissa Kaplan’s emotional vocal in Jesper Kyd’s driving score to Assassin’s Creed 2. It’s the cello that accompanies you all the way through Austin Wintory’s Journey. It’s the piano swimming in the bubbly electronics of Lena Raine’s Celeste. It’s the sound of these and much more. Join Meena Shamaly on Game Show today, sit back, and enjoy the sound of modern video game classics.
EVERFISH RELEASES EMOTIONAL & ETHEREAL ANTHEM, ‘AVRIO’ PETER BERRYSEPTEMBER 6, 2019 RELEASE http://www.youredm.com/
Ryan Fish, known as Everfish, is a San Francisco-based melodic bass producer bringing a cinematic feel to his work, and builds stories that are both epic and personal. His music brings listeners on a journey, and he has already explored a multitude of genres and styles in his first few releases. He is introducing himself to the world via his debut EP, Odyssey. Out September 27, Odyssey is a six-song, multi-genre electronic EP that, true to form, is cinematic in scope, and goes through epic overtures to tell one story: two lovers going to war together. The genres of the EP include Melodic Bass/Dubstep, Psy-Trance, elements of Rock, and Orchestral. Vocal performances are by Melissa R. Kaplan and Nathan Giguiere, and guitar played by Daniel Gilbert. All music and lyrics were written by Ryan Fish. Check out ‘Avrio’, the latest single off of the EP, a sweepingly cinematic orchestral journey of a track that showcases Everfish’s beautifully detailed and impactful production style.
EVERFISH COLLABORATES WITH MELISSA KAPLAN FOR CINEMATIC RELEASE ‘AVRIO’ POSTED BY VMAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 http://www.freshnewtracks.com
Everish makes his appearance on our radar, with his latest ‘Avrio,’ an epic battle ready orchestral electronic banger, and if that doesn’t sell it for you, just look at the cover, this is a trip back in time. If you need a boost me up, or the courage, to win a personal battle, suit up, ‘Avrio’ featuing Melissa Kaplan will have you ready to take on the world. This is a must listen!
Review by James Mitchell of ELYXR's Eternal Life, Eternal Youth Nightride.com
If you want to talk about collaborations, there is one king of the hill, and it's not even close. ELYXR has amassed a who's who of list of artists that he's worked with, and it's no secret why. He is really, really, really talented. Kasson Crooker, the man behind the curtain of ELYXR, is a legitimate musical wizard, so that's no ironic statement. These creations not only show his prowess in the studio, they also highlight the best of the artist he's working with, and that's where the real magic happens. So, what exactly did I mean by a who's who list of collaborators? How about Kurt Larson of Information Society, Melissa R Kaplan of Universal Hall Pass, Elissa LeCoque of Kodacrome, Casey Desmond of CMB, Brian Hazard of Color Theory, Sonja 3v3.t3a of The Planets Won't Let You Sleep Tonight, and Katrina Kope of Purr Gato. What's amazing is that ELYXR has taken this group of artists with very unique sounds on their own and created an album that flows seamlessly from start to finish, almost like there was a master plan behind it all. There's so much emotion packed into each and every one of these songs, I just don't think you can take it all in at once. This is an album that is going to keep revealing new discoveries and experiences with each successive listen. In short, Eternal Life Eternal Youth is a keeper...the kind of record you wouldn't mind being the only one in your deserted island survival kit. Eternal Life Eternal Youth is available NOW and I can't recommend it high enough. I've been a huge fan of ELYXR for some time now and even I wasn't prepared for how amazing these songs sound together in one collection. It's been a real musical awakening for me, especially spending so much time with these songs as individual creations. It's like pulling the camera back to reveal the connections you never saw before. That's not just a musical experience, that's a life experience too...and who can claim something like that on their latest record?
An extraordinary talent soaked in genre-defying intensity. Melissa Kaplan, former member of the Boston band Splashdown, has returned with her latest project, Universal Hall Pass. Mercury, on her own Sneaky Records, combines a variety of different elements, making it nearly impossible to pin down the band's sound to one specific genre. The album starts off with "Tutelary Genius," an extremely infectious rock hit preparing the listener for what's in store. It progresses from there to include elements of jazz, new wave, electronica, synth hooks, the occasional trumpet solo, and even funk. What probably surprised me the most was "Katrina Josephina," a track which resembles a folk tale and clearly shows off Melissa's wide tast in music. Claiming to be a fan of world music - as well as listing bands such as Radiohead, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis as influences - this record demonstrates how the boundaries between genres can be crossed and successfully combined. Mercury is one unexpected event after the next, although never too surprising to destroy the listener's concentration and ruin his/her view of the album. Melissa's extraordinary yet dramatic voice seems to align perfectly with her lyrics, which reveal hints of philosophical and sociological thoughts. Wether you choose to describe Universal Hall Pass as electronic rock, or a modern combination of jazz and blues, the amount of intensity in Mercury remains the same.
PS: Not only can you find Melissa's voice on Universal Hall Pass, but she has also worked for many television, movie, and video game programs. Surely a talent not to be missed.
Mercury begins with a pop confection, "Tutelary Genius," which is reminiscent of the New Pornographers. It prominently features Melissa Kaplan's sweet voice, as well as '60s superhero anthem guitars, and biting, witty lyrics that belie the honey dripping around its edges. From there the record evolves into "Dragonfly," a funky, dreamy track with groovy beats and jazzy trumpets that would be the perfect 2005 summer song. The rest of the record is a helluva fun ride, one that will be blasted from the open windows of my car often. It is impossible to pin down just what genre Universal Hall Pass occupies, Kaplan's background is in trance and electronica, and although there are hints of that on this record, it's not the dominant feature. Kaplan lists such diverse artists as Squarepusher, Ella Fitzgerald, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead and Miles Davis as influences. She also dabbles in Bulgarian and Middle Eastern music. When all of that comes toghther, you get music that draws comparisons to Rufus Wainwright's over-the-top classical soundscapes and Portishead's creepy/funky beats. One can also find Bjork;s otherworldy yet beguiling vocals and Fiona Apple's bluesy, seductive inflection in Kaplan's voice. The folk tale a cappella track "Katrinah Josephina" could have been a B-side to the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack: Although it's not about ghosts and ghouls, its beautifully haunting, and Kaplan's voice is reminiscent of Danny Elfman as Jack Skellington. And then there's the track, "Six Step Dragon," which explores Kaplan's interest in world music, and sounds like something one would hear at a Chinese dance club. Both are unusual and totally cool. The only miss-step in the album is "Special Agent," which sounds a bit too much like something Top 40. Otherwise, the CD's a gem, one that sparkled brightly in my pile of undiscovered indie releases.
