Mazedude

First, there was the 7th Guest. A groundbreaking puzzle game that incorporated live actors, an intriguing story, lots of general creepiness… and great music. Second, there was the 11th Hour. Admittedly I can’t offer a ton of comments on this one, as I had a hard time getting it to work on my PC (during the era of constantly updating requirements and hardware issues that changed from game to game). Again though, the music was quite good, released in a combo soundtrack with the first game under the title “7/11.” Many years later, the 7th Guest returns, to iPhone and iPad. A beloved game that was no longer accessible comes back to be reborn on new platforms, and open up the eyes of a new audience. And… in an interesting twist, there’s some new music in there. To be specific, Mazedude music. Yep, somehow I captured the ears of the top guys, and they plugged in one of my remixes as an end credits bonus. Which led to… The 7th Guest: Infection. One of the original puzzles, fleshed out into its own game. Complete with new original music by yours truly. They gave me a shot, and it worked out rather well, both in terms of style, and a working relationship. Now… at long last… The 7th Guest 3: The Collector – now on Kickstarter, and gearing up for production. Those of you who played the original games back in the 90s; get ready for a long awaited sequel. Those of you new to the series, brace yourselves for the perfect combination of puzzles and spooky stuff. And dare I say… new music? Why if you scroll down on that Kickstarter page you can even hear some new tunage I’ve written for the game already. Friends, this has potential to be really freakin’ awesome, on many levels. Please back the project. The fact that one of my favorite childhood PC games is coming back is incredible enough – the fact that I can potentially be a part of it and create the music for it is beyond words. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/roblanderos/the-7th-guest-3-the-collector

Well folks, I am pleased to announce... ... that Mazedude will be there this year. Hell yeah. Last time I made it out to MAG, a few years back, I actually didn't get much of a chance to hang out with the OCR folks, and I'd like to change that. So, screw it, here's my phone #: 315-744-2839. At the event, if there's an OCR party or hangout going on, and I'm not there, shoot me an invite. I do not want to be bored. Looking forward to it!

I quite enjoyed watching this all go down yesterday too. Confusion and disappointment - "wait a sec, why'd they change the album title? This new title isn't as good... oh and that artwork could be SO much better" - turned to laughter. Kudos to the admins and their straight responses to the wave of comments that rolled in.

Mazebaby! - http://www.mazedude.com/baby/ ...aka Isabella Getman. Just turned 3 months old.

Well, I did use a Pepsi bottle as an instrument in this track - http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01015/ All in all I think it comes down to being creative and expanding your arsenal beyond the conventional, over-used sounds. I mean, there are classical, symphonic instruments that we don't see used on OCR often either. Bassoon, for example. Does the make it -unusual-? Or just, unconventional? This conversation reminds me of the debates in composition class at college, heh.

Perhaps because you can count on one hand how many times these particular instruments have been used in an OCRemix?

Well, not to pat myself on the back or anything (which is totally what I'm about to do), but... http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR02501/ - features Irish low whistle, Uillean pipes, Alpen horn... http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01690/ - features hurdy gurdy, duduk http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR00443/ - features Bulgarian bagpipes and vocals http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01799/ - features bizarre woodwind squeaks and brass mouthpiece sounds http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR02396/ - features an assortment of solo electric bass sounds http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01299/ - features Gamelan shakers, steel drums, berimbau, bass xylophone, snake charmer, housefly... and more http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR00291/ - features koto, shakuhachi, wood flute, and other weird stuff And oh, there's more... but there are a few. I enjoy the odd instruments quite a bit.

Happy New Year folks! Well, sadly I won't be able to join you at MAGFest this year, but, here's a little something. The first teaser for "American Pixels", the album I've been chipping away at all 2012. Featuring remix teasers from Diablo, Mass Effect 2, DC Universe, Clive Barker's Jericho, Tyrian, Dead Space 2, and Puzzlejuice! There's much more to come, and the album is set for release in 2013. Check in at http://www.americanpixels.com for more album news as it comes together, or to pre-order your copy. Enjoy, and have a safe and prosperous new year! - Mazedude

Day two... more crying, more poop, less sleep... but still doing alright.

Yeah we're making sure that the birthday celebrations and Christmas parties are gonna be very separate. My wife is nuts about birthdays... more so than ANY other holiday, including Christmas. And actually, she really seems to love my music. We've been playing it for her. So, that kinda makes me just want to make more of it. Yeah she actually asked for a C-Section. Didn't want to do natural. And it went smooth, so, good deal. She's healing well too. So far so good!

She's here! Isabella Carol Getman has arrived, safe and sound. Baby and Mom are doing just fine. More pics on Facebook; drop by and leave a note. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151400235746209.537295.546521208&type=1

Hot damn this is awesome. Chill inducing. And LONG, without feeling like it ever drags. To David, and everyone else involved, I send you a virtual high five. This mix rocks, and I can totally respect the insane amount of work that clearly went into making it so epic.

I dare say, this is a feel good romp for the whole family!

Ah... sweet, after the turkey coma I spent the day finishing a Dead Space 2 remix. Not a bad day at all. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

In terms of modern classical, I recommend Steve Reich. Look for "Music for 18 Musicians", or even "Music for Mallet Instruments, Voice and Organ" as calming, mood-setting instrumental works that last for long periods of time.

A cake that looks like a maze? HELL YES, I'd enjoy that. Thanks for the birthday wishes folks, it was a good day... consisted of movies, music (finished my Diablo remix), Capoeira, sushi, and drinks. Not bad.

Hehe, I actually remember enjoying Kid Kool as a kid. It gets remarkably better after you get to level 3 and use that pogo-pole thing to get 100s of free lives. And Kid Icarus has fond memories as well, although I agree that there are certainly aspects of the game worth hating. The eggplant wizards, for example. Now a game that I had as a kid... and went back to and played as an adult, with quite a shock as to how terrible it was... The Adventures of Bayou Billy. I actually remembering beating that game once when I was a kid. Playing it now... just kill me. Terrible. Amagon would be another in that same boat.

I really enjoyed the Infamous 2 soundtrack. Very excellent use of cello.

Excellent, more Wolfenstein love! I like. This reminds me an awful lot of the 28 Days Later soundtrack, where it starts lonely with a guitar, builds, builds, and builds to epic grungeness. I could envision hordes of undead running down the street to this track. (And yes I mean all of that in a good way.)

Well, we've found out... it's a girl. Yep. Here's an image from the 3D Ultrasound, for fun:

Wow... always surprised (and pleased) to see that I've inspired someone else. That's a huge compliment man, thanks. As to the mix, I dig it! I appreciate the variety of sounds all used within the same track, and I also dig that OCR is finally getting some Pitfall love. Keep it coming!

Thanks for the kind words everyone! A few responses back at ya: Indeed, those names had subtle musical influence, that was intentional. My own birthday's in late October, so I've had a life of knowing that to find my age from the current year I need to think ahead to the end... so I'm sure I can train my kid on how to do that. I don't fear the kid getting fat or unhealthy via a bad diet; I'm athletic and I eat well, so the little one will be raised in a household of those same values. Likewise I find the comment that kids are generationally getting smaller an odd thing to say... from what I've seen it's rather the opposite. Kids these days are eating so much genetically modified food with hormones all through it that they're growing much larger and taller, faster than usual as well. So yeah, I'll try to avoid that as much a I can. I prefer to shop organic when I can afford it, and one of my clients is a genius nutritionist who is really good at helping to keep the diet in check, the body detoxed, and the immune system at its peak. He's helping Julia have a super smooth pregnancy - no morning sickness whatsoever. I just hope that I can find ample time to make music once I'm raising a kid too. I'm sure I'll find time one way or another.

Yep, we've already picked out names. Boy: Alexander Wolfgang Getman Girl: Isabella Carol Getman We should be finding out the gender on Friday, I'll keep you posted!

So, as you may have heard, we're having a baby! Our first. Quite a surprise, and a HUGE change in our life. Exciting, scary, all that... those of you with kids know the feeling. Looking forward to it though... I always enjoy a good challenge. So, because people have been asking, I've put together a little webpage with links to where we're registered: http://www.mazedude.com/baby/ There's a handy little Paypal link if you just want to shoot a few bucks our way without having to shop, if you'd prefer that. No pressure in any regard; I'm just putting this out there by popular demand. So, wish me luck; in December I'll be a Dad! Mazebaby on the way.

Many happy returns of the day to the guy who started it all.