Andrew Hulshult 2024 Interview: DOOM IDKFA, Blood Swamps, DUSK, Iron Lung, AMID EVIL, Music, Guitars, Cold Brew Coffee, and More

This extensive interview with Andrew Hulshult, a prominent video game composer, delves into his career, creative process, and musical influences. From his early work on projects like Rise of the Triad and Duke Nukem 3D Reloaded to his more recent contributions to DOOM Eternal DLC, Nightmare Reaper, and Amid Evil, Hulshult discusses the challenges and rewards of composing for video games.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including:

• His career trajectory: Hulshult recounts his unexpected rise to prominence after initially considering leaving the industry, highlighting the importance of financial stability for creative pursuits. He emphasizes the learning curve involved in navigating industry contracts and the evolving nature of his work.

• Misconceptions about video game music: He challenges the notion that video game music is easy or unimportant, emphasizing the complexities of understanding game design philosophies and the social skills required to collaborate effectively.

• Specific game soundtracks: The interview delves into the creative process behind his work on ROTT 2013, Bombshell, Nightmare Reaper, Amid Evil (including the DLC, and the challenges faced during a family emergency), and Prodeus. He discusses his approach to balancing personal style with the needs of the game, his evolving musical style, and the unique challenges of working with different game engines and development teams.

• His gear and equipment: Hulshult details his current guitar setup, including his preferred guitars, pickups, strings, amps, and effects pedals. He explains his transition to primarily using digital audio workstations (DAWs) and plugins, while still occasionally incorporating hardware.

• The DOOM Eternal DLC: He shares insights into his collaboration with id Software, the creation of the IDKFA soundtrack, and the challenges of working within the established DOOM musical style while injecting his own personality. He also addresses the popularity of "Blood Swamps" and the limitations on its official release.

• Working on a film soundtrack: Hulshult discusses his experience composing for Markiplier's Iron Lung, highlighting the differences between composing for film and video games and the collaborative nature of the process.

• His musical influences and preferences: He names his favorite bands and artists, both within and outside of the video game industry, offering insights into his musical tastes and inspirations.

• His daily routine and work habits: He describes a typical day, emphasizing the importance of sleep, planning, and incorporating physical activity to maintain focus and well-being.

• His thoughts on remastering older soundtracks: He discusses the potential of revisiting his earlier work, acknowledging the significant time and effort involved.

The interview concludes with Hulshult's thoughts on hypothetical projects, his favorite musical memorabilia, and his coffee preferences. It provides a comprehensive look into the mind of a highly skilled and creative video game composer.

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