Article: Founder of the Video Game Orchestra talks about live music and composition for Final Fantasy

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Image: Shota Nakama

When he was younger and was more full of bad decisions than now, he used to go to concerts and watch rock bands beating sweatyly on the stage in bars full of smoke. Today, I prefer to sit in a concert hall and close your eyes while a group of talented orchestral musicians touch an elegant version of Skyrim Soundtrack (what I did in the London Palladium in 2016).

But I do not necessarily have to choose, and you either: Video Game Orchestra has a rock band and an orchestra, which makes the versions of the soundtracks of video games genials. As part of our Video Game Music Festival Nintendo Life, we have been talking to many composers, from Darren Korb to Lena Raine, and today we are talking to the musician, composer and director Shota Nakama.

As a founder of Vgo (in addition to fixing, interpreting and directing many of the songs), Nakama has a deep love for video game music, but that's not all: He has also worked on the creation of new video game music for games as final Fantasy XV and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.

Keep reading to know the history of Nakama with music, the best moments of him and why live music keeps the soundtracks of video games alive ...

Nintendo Life: First of all, can you tell us about your experience and what you do today?

My name is Shota Nakama. I'm from a small island called Okinawa, Japan, and I've been in the United States for about 20 years following my musical journey. I drive my musical producer Soundtrec and a concert project called Video Game Orchestra. I have worked on numerous sound bands of videogames, as well as anime and movies. Some of the great titles in my credit are Final Fantasy XV, not Straight Roads, the GOD Eater series and many others. I have also been involved in some interesting online concert projects, such as Sonic 30th Anniversary Concert and Marvel Future Revolution World Orchestra.

When you were a child, what video game music beat you more and why?

I must say that I grew up in the golden age of videogames, from the end of the 80s until the mid-90s in Japan, and I was lucky to witness the gradual evolution of Famicom, Super Famicom and the consoles without cartridge. I spent a lot of time playing at that time. It is possible that part of the music is in my genes at this time. The one that I remember is the opening fanfare of the Dragon Quest series because I probably played that series more than any other game.

Of all the opportunities you have had in videogames, which one left you more dazzled?

When I saw the 16-bit power, the first moment I played Super Mario World in Super Nintendo. The graphics and music were much further. Surely the industry has advanced a lot since then.

When it comes to organizing music for the VGO, do you assume that your audience already knows a little about games when you choose tracks? How does that change the tracks you choose?

What VGO is quite specific: we have a rock band and an orchestra. That also influences our elections. I usually hear a lot of clues that people suggest and discover what could work with our format. Once you click on my head, I keep going and start sketching the arrangements.

How do you think live interpretations can add a new dimension to the soundtracks of video games?

I think the live concerts are the best way to really enjoy the soundtracks of your favorite videogames. This is how music was always played before the recording devices will be invented. The emotion and joy you can get when being in concerts is irreplaceable and should be a large part of the music industry of video games.

You went to college to study music and mentioned in other interviews that music from videogames was not really recognized academically at that time. Do you think that has changed and academics take the VGM more seriously these days?

It has definitely changed. There are some schools that offer composition classes of interactive media, which were practically non-existent only 10 years ago. I am happy to see people who enter the industry with great education. This helps raise the standard throughout the industry.

Has the pandemic affected your work with the orchestras?

Yes, for concert work. No, for production work. Obviously, the world has had a break for the great meeting events, and the concerts were no exception. However, the production side really did not stop. Television programs, anime, games and all means never stopped leaving. We continue to get all the soundtracks worked for that.

What music do you usually listen to in your free time?

Many music workers may agree: I do not listen to anything during my free time unless you want to study some music. Your ears get tired just like your muscles and brain. All intense and critical listening activities require a sufficient rest. Silence is gold.

With what composers and / or musicians would you love to work next?

I would love to work with more rock and metal musicians that I have always admired. A few years ago, I started working with the legendary artist and guitarist Jason Becker. It was so surreal because I have been the big fan of him for years. Working with your idols inspires you to be more creative and it makes you better.

What recent videogame left you hallucinated with your music?

Our concert flow has been so continuous, and I have not played any game for months ... I should feel guilty for this. Ask me again next month! I promise that I will have an answer then.

If you want to consult the extensive live performance catalog of Video Game Orchestra, you can go to your website, your YouTube channel or your Spotify page. Thanks to Shota Nakama for talking to us and the irresistible opportunity to listen to the VGO catalog for the rest of the day.

Do not forget to take a look at our other features of VGMFEST, we will also have many more in the coming weeks!