The J-Pop Exchange: Exclusive Interview with Go Sato
Hi, thank you for taking the time to speak with us…
Hi, everyone. thank you for inviting me to the interview.
Did your interest in music begin in your childhood? How did you become interested in music?
Yes,most Japanese children are interested in an animation.
I also became like that when I was about four.
On the other hand, I was strongly inspired by my mother.
My mother listened to music from various movies.
For example, French movies such as “Jeux interdits” and “Plein soleil” etc.. Therefore I heard it while I was brought up.
Please tell us about your musical studies and training.
When I was a primary schoolchild, I played anime songs and game music on the recorder which I learned at school and enjoyed it.
For example,anime of the GUNDAM and Urusei Yatsura,game of the Mario Brothers,PAC-MAN etc..
When I was a junior high school student, I was given a PC from my parents.
I copied game music with my ear and input it into my PC.
I began to play the drums when I became a high school student the high school student and made a band with my friends.
What kind of music did I play ?
For example, I copied BON JOVI, Motley Crue, Metallica,etc..
after that, I didn’t enter Music College or a vocational school, Therefore, the compositional technique or the musical grammar were self-education.
Who are your musical influences?
I strongly take influence of James Brown. Is it unexpected?
His groovy sound taught me how to make a groove.
In the game, I am strongly influenced by the Shinji Hosoe formerly of NAMCO.
I think that he is one who made a model of the game music.
What music do you like to listen to?
I listen to various music without likes and dislikes, but listen to anime songs now.
Anime song is evaluated from overseas people and thinks very delightfully recently.
How and when did you decide to pursue a career in music? Was it always your intention to pursue a career in music?
I was given a PC from my parent at the age of 13 years old and learned a program by myself.The reason is because I wanted to make an interesting game.
However, I gave it up promptly afterwards. It seems to have been unsuitable for me.
Because there was the feeling to want to get work about music, I have begun to aim at the work to make the music of the game.
Can you give us some insight into your writing process? When you compose music, how do you progress from inspiration to creation?
When I do composition with the melody, it continues playing a musical instrument till I feel of the impression or an exciting moment.
When I do composition without the melody, I beat a desk with a finger and continue editing a rhythm truck with a PC till I am excited.
I think that a groove is important as for the music without a melody.
I compose music by such a method.
How did you become involved with composing music for video games?
I noticed in a meagizne that Seibu-kaihatu corp. placed a
Help-wanted ad, I sent my own music, and it was adopted.
It is adopted as an office worker commonly.
When I took an interview, a dog ran around in the area.
I thought that it was a rare company.
Please tell us about the scoring process behind a production such as the Raiden series. Where in the process do you, as a composer, become involved?
I usually join as a project member from the latter half of the game's production.
About the scoring process behind a production?
Ok, when I make a shooting game music, I think about affinity with the story, Scroll speed and a tempo, synchronization with the appearance timing of the enemy.
These are important elements to let you feel a game interestingly.
Do you get to see the completed portions of the game ahead of time? Or do you generally rely on concept art and notes about the game that are given to you?
I always watch unfinished games and imagine music while watching concept art and notes.
When a document is not enough, there was able to be the thing that I composed it while seeing it drawing scenery.
I especially enjoyed “Can’t retrace” the level 2 music from Raiden 4. In regards to your entire body of work, are there any particular pieces that stand out as favorites or have a particular significance for you?
My favorite music is “Go Straight Ahead!! -Stage1-” of Viper Phase 1 while I composed it in the past.
Do you know the Viper Phase 1?
It is one of the shooting games that I composed.
It was the game that I tried this hard most, and it composed.
Do you have any current or upcoming projects that you would like to talk about?
I don’t have big projects which I can release soon for the moment.
In 2011, I would do this work for 20 years.
In commemoration of it, I am going to give a concert in Tokyo .
I am sorry that I can’t do it in your country.
I want to give a concert sometime in your country.
Where can people find out more about your music?
First, please check my homepage.
I‘m going to carry various information.
Second,I’ll introduce INH company's homepage.
This company has my OST of some.
In conclusion, is there anything you would like to talk about that we have not discussed thus far?
I want to send good music and Akihabara culture to world people from now on.
I want to give everyone excitement.
thank you.
Thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us.