The Magnificent Elmer Bernstein

Film composer Bear McCreary (Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead) just posted some nuggets of wisdom he picked up while working for Elmer Bernstein. Most of them address the composer's relationship to the film and director. Many are complaints. A few of my favorites:

Never fear your talented competitors. Fear the charlatans.”
“Filmmakers tend to be comfortable when we’re comfortable, which happens when we’re ourselves.”
“There is a mystical element to a flute in its low register.”

For those who don't know Elmer Bernstein, maybe this tune rings a bell:

Read his full post here.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Ninja Slide

If seven-year-old me met current me and asked what I was up to, and I said that I just finished writing music for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video game, I think we would have slapped high-fives and shared a moment of mutual appreciation. Then I'd go blow his mind by kicking a soccer ball in the air higher than he could ever dream to.

Keep on Trackin'

Ever wonder what went into writing Super Nintendo music? Writing for Sifteo Cubes is a really similar process -- I wrote a blog post on the Sifteo Tech Blog laying it out for all you curious musicians and nostalgiaholics.