The Tommy Tallarico Episode

[fishbang]

The live episode for Monday, October the 13th is available here (http://ingamechat.net/audio/IGC131008.mp3).

Having made the trip to the closest major metropolitan area for a performance of Video Games Live, the show decides to welcome to its live hour game composer and VGL co-creator Tommy Tallarico. We discuss the history of the show, it’s rampant and continuing growth, the difficulty of choosing among so many beloved and worthy arrangements for fans at each stop on the tour, and the drive to expose to non-gamers the validity of gaming’s musical composition. With more than 50 performances this year, and half again more in the year to come, Video Games Live might well be within reach for every fan, devotee or casual listener.

Turning to the news, we’re stymied by Blizzard’s decision to release Starcraft 2’s racial campaigns in separate retail increments, desperate to get our hands on the increasingly well-reviewed Dead Space, sullen at the idea of having missed yet another beta, and jealous of Richard Garriott’s final ascension into earth orbit. We’ve felt eternally on the edge of a cliff heading into the fall of 2008, and the emotional intensity is only going to increase from now until the end of the year. Fear, awe, rage (in no short supply), relief, and the inevitable sadness from the financial toll will be with us all the way, and we can only hope the trip we’re about to take will meet our ridiculous expectations.

[fitbabits]

I have a soft spot for Tallarico, so I'll be listening to this.

[kropotkin]

Another good show. I think the interview was spot on with some searching questions that were batted back well. I would have liked to have asked him how different the audiences were world wide to Video Games Live. Were there major differences between the audience in LA against those in London? Are there regional differences for song selection? I would have thought there would be :)

[brokenFUN]

This guy has that classic 1st Spider-Man comic. He is god.

[Iron Past]

You convinced me to get the first album, and now I'm looking into going to next showing around here (in Austin next March).

[Commissar Rob]

The bit about the Alabama Symphony contacting Tallarico for a show was really interesting. There was a piece in the Escapist on a similar vein (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_80/458-Sephiroth-Saves-The-Symphony) from about a year ago.

Great show guys!

[Restlessavenger]

Finally listened to the show tonight. Video Games Live had been on the periphery of my radar from sometime, but after hearing it on the show I decided to pick it up. Great great stuff. I can't wait for them to come back to LA.

[Spigot]

I keep forgetting to order the tickets for the Kitchener show next March, despite wanting to go for over a year.

Here's something I'm curious to ask the folk who went to see VGL. Do you think it's the kind of thing I could take my son to or would he be bored to tears? He loves music and will be almost 5 and if there's enough of a video component to the show, he'd probably enjoy it... but yeah. I don't want to waste money and time dragging him to it if he'll just be bored.

I know I and my friends are going... It's just a matter of whether I drag my son along.

[Psykoboy2]

Sure, take him.

[Soulless Toast]

Here's something I'm curious to ask the folk who went to see VGL. Do you think it's the kind of thing I could take my son to or would he be bored to tears? He loves music and will be almost 5 and if there's enough of a video component to the show, he'd probably enjoy it... but yeah. I don't want to waste money and time dragging him to it if he'll just be bored.

I know I and my friends are going... It's just a matter of whether I drag my son along.

I'd say take him. There's video to go with every piece, and plenty of lights and action to keep him into it. There were several kids at the performance we went to and they all seemed to be really into it.

[Spigot]

I'd say take him. There's video to go with every piece, and plenty of lights and action to keep him into it. There were several kids at the performance we went to and they all seemed to be really into it.That's what I wanted to hear. I didn't want to fork out $45 or so and have it be something he wouldn't enjoy. If there were other kids at the show you saw, then I'll probably take him.

[alienmastermind]

I'll give this a listen...even though I almost never agreed with Tallarico on games in Electronic Playground, but he made the videos I saw for Advent Rising palatable...his music in Out of This World (my very first SNES purchase) and MDK....just amazing.

But I disagreed with him a lot on games. A lot. :)

[Spigot]

I agree with you, alienmastermind. He was sort of the sound of the Joe Shoot-Em-Up gamer that contrasted with Victor Lucas' more cerebral tastes. It was nice to hear a different opinion than mine being voiced on a show like that, but I rarely agreed with him. It would surprise me when he'd come out of nowhere and actually like a game I did.

[alienmastermind]

Yeah, Spigot, I think he was the proto-Casual gamer. The one template that they built the Wii around.

[Spigot]

Yeah, Spigot, I think he was the proto-Casual gamer. The one template that they built the Wii around.Well, I'm buying my tickets for the concert tomorrow and then it's just a matter of waiting until March!

You guys mentioned that the lights were shinging right in your faces in the orchestra seats. I'm paranoid now and will probably try to get balcony seats... I just don't want to be sitting at the very back of the auditorium!

[Psykoboy2]

Well, I'm buying my tickets for the concert tomorrow and then it's just a matter of waiting until March!

You guys mentioned that the lights were shinging right in your faces in the orchestra seats. I'm paranoid now and will probably try to get balcony seats... I just don't want to be sitting at the very back of the auditorium!

It was a pretty small venue. We would have been served better sitting further back and farther up from where we were. It'll be different depending on the venue.

[Spigot]

It was a pretty small venue. We would have been served better sitting further back and farther up from where we were. It'll be different depending on the venue.This is definately a smaller venue. Arg! Decisions, decisions...

[Psykoboy2]

Can you link to a layout of the place?

[Spigot]

Can you link to a layout of the place?Sure thing.

I don't get out to live performances of things very often, so I want to do this right but I also can't drop $80 on a ticket... I'm looking in the $45-65 range, if you want to help me find a spot to park my bum :)

Seating Plan (http://ev9.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3ACITS%3A08-09%3AEE0313%3A&linkID=cits&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=)

Much appreciated.

[Psykoboy2]

From the picture I found of the place...it's bigger than where we were.

Middle Mez looks good for this. There's very little "performance" other than Tommy running around on stage, but even then there's a pretty big screen to view all of that.

You could also chance on Orchestra Rows T-V in the center there.

[Spigot]

Thanks muchly. I'll think of you as I'm enjoying the show.

Unless I don't, in which case it's time for a road trip to Alabama!

[Psykoboy2]

Well, this is in March so I have plenty of time to re-locate.