18
January 2008
||
0 Comment
|

Cue of the Week: “The Audit”

This week’s cue comes from the film The F-Zone, wherein an innocent businessman’s life is ruined by the IRS. (Perhaps a bit topically premature for January, but I figure I’ll want to play more cheerful music when tax season does roll around.)

When recording this cue, I found that due to a timing change it was one measure too long. Having no time to rethink the music while standing in front of 60-some-odd very expensive session players, I simply lopped off the first bar. This gave the cue’s opening a dissonant, off-balance feel that I like better than the more on-the-nose intro I’d originally written. Chalk one up for serendipity!

Fabulous multi-instrumentalist Jon Clarke plays the english horn solo at the close of the cue.

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

The Audit
 

11
January 2008
||
0 Comment
|

Cue of the Week: “Star Trek: Stardock Refuel”

Here’s another selection from the Wii/PS2 game Star Trek Conquest. In contrast to last week’s anthemic musical selection, this cue has a more anticipatory flavor.

We composers often have to get creative in renaming cues for the listening public. Technically this piece is called “Menu Music Cue #2”. This is useful to the developers, who need to organize their game’s audio assets, but doesn’t quite inspire that sense of far-reaching wonderment we associate with the Star Trek franchise.

Film often presents a similar challenge; almost every cue starts out with a name like “Travis Shoots The Guy On The Motorcycle”. It’s up to the composer or album producer to add a little poetry to the soundtrack titles, while at the same time letting fans have a clue what the music originally accompanied. I might therefore rename the cue “High-Speed Pursuit”, but not Threnody On The Horrors of Violence in D Minor”.

Enough digression! Enjoy the music of… space.

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

Stardock Refuel
 

04
January 2008
||
0 Comment
|

Cue of the Week: “Star Trek Conquest”

This week’s music selection is the introductory theme from Star Trek Conquest, a game for the Nintendo Wii and Playstation 2. While I’m not a hardcore Trekkie, I’ve always been a big fan of the original-cast movies (particularly Star Trek II, which I regard as one of the best sci-fi movies ever) and the inspiring adventurous spirit of their scores.

My challenge here was to write something that fit in with a the existing Trek musical tradition, but also stood on its own legs as original music. I had hoped to drop in a nod to Alexander Courage’s classic theme, but alas, legal complexities prevented it. That aside, this score was a real treat to write.

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

Star Trek Conquest
 

28
December 2007
||
0 Comment
|

Cue of the Week: “You Can’t Go Back”

Continuing the theme of gentle/sentimental music for the holiday season, here’s a tender cue that’s always been one of my personal favorites. (I realize that I say that about most of the music I write, but this one is a favorite even given the inflated attachment a composer feels for his or her own work.) Next week we’ll have something a bit more ardenalized.

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

You Can’t Go Back
 

21
December 2007
||
0 Comment
|

Cue of the Week: “The Yard Sale”

Here’s something nostalgic and warm for the holiday season. This is one of my favorites from my score for Against Time – likely because it accompanies my favorite scene in the film. (I won’t give away the plot point, but let’s just say that I’m a sucker for time-travel father-and-son reunions.)

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

The Yard Sale
 

14
December 2007
||
0 Comment
|

Cue of the Week: “Good Guy Gears”

Welcome (back) to MikeMusicRadio! The Cue of the Week feature has been on hiatus during the construction of the new website (and a two-week sojourn to Cyprus on my part), but now that various strata of dust have settled this musical blog is back in business.

This week’s selection is what I call a “little brother” cue –  where a recurring major melody from a score appears in a lighter or more modest form. This cue, from the political thriller The F-Zone, introduces the affirmative theme that is heard throughout the score – most prominently in another cue featured on this site called Flying From Arcadia. Here the theme has a more mischievous quality, as well as a darker bridge section underscoring the sneaking-around portions of the scene.

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

Good Guy Gears
 

06
November 2007
||
0 Comment
|

Welcome to the new site!

I’m pleased to welcome you to the all-new mikemusic.com, designed from scratch by the web-wizards at Eklektika. The most obvious change is the fresh new look. The previous design always brought in compliments, but after three years it was time to move on.

In addition to being prettier, the new site is also more functional. Dedicated sections for film/TV and game music allow visitors to focus on the kind of music relevant to their interests, and the new streaming music player allows immediate audio gratification without an accompanying clutter of windows. Thanks to these improvements, I can now offer a wider selection of online music samples – though those who’d like custom demos for particular projects are always encouraged to drop me a line.

Speaking of music, those of you who have been following my Cue of the Week blog should have no fear, as MikeMusic Radio remains a part of the new site. The journal page will continue the Cue of the Week feature as well as display any thoughts I might share with the world. There’s also a newsfeed, should you like to see what I’m working on, or peruse my dalliances with print and online journalists.

Finally, if my smiling mug looks less squinty-faced and pixelated than it has in the past, you have ace photographer Edward Hannigan to thank.

In short, I’m thrilled to be able to share the latest incarnation of my online pied-a-terre, and hope you’ll visit often. Enjoy the site!

Mike

Morituri Te Salutant // Michael Gordon Shapiro - Highlights
  1. Morituri Te Salutant // Michael Gordon Shapiro - Highlights
  2. Emerald, Texas // Highlights
  3. Mythic Battle // Highlights
  4. The Yard Sale // Michael Gordon Shapiro - Highlights
  5. Investigations // Highlights
  6. Home Room // Highlights
  7. Sands of Arabia // Highlights
  8. Spider Cult // Highlights
  9. Poker Night // Highlights