Gamertell

If you’ve been into the big-label EA sports games (the Madden’s, the FIFA’s, the NBA Live’s, etc.) of the last few years, you’ve surely noticed that the music has gone from a fairly low priority (hovering somewhere between crowd animation and the title screen design) to a major part of the game. Up-and-comers and big name musicians alike have started to dot the aural landscape as much as the shouts and grunts of the players – and the games are all the more immersive and fun for it.

Ladytron is one of the most kick-ass electronic bands to grace the virtual fields (and courts!) of some of this year’s biggest jockfests. Featured in NBA Live 2009 and FIFA 09, the band’s distinctive electro-pop will finally hit the ears of mass audiences - check out “Runaway” in FIFA, and a very cool Blestanation remix of “Ghost” in NBA Live. The band has been a success in the dance-electronic-pop world, and they’ve certainly garnered acclaim (and a legion of fans), so it’s always great to see good (and interesting!) musicians get exposure in such a mainstream way.

We had a quick chat (via email) with band member Reuben Wu about the evolution of game music, how games have influenced Ladytron’s sound, and how marathon Zelda sessions are the best way to spend a sick day.

Gamertell.com: Is this the first time you’ve had your music featured in a videogame? How does the experience compare to having your music in a movie or commercial?

Reuben Wu: No, we’ve done this kind of thing a few times now. It’s a bit different in that gaming a a bit more underground than commercials, and you might be concentrating on the screen a bit more…

GT: What do you think about the game industry as a way of distributing/showcasing music?

RW: It made a massive step when they started playing music by recording artists. Before this when you had your Super Mario and Streetfighter 2, it was just anonymous kids’ music. Now the industry has matured in a lot of ways.

GT: As an electronic music band, have you had any influence from videogames (the sounds or soundtracks associated with them)?

RW: I think everyone is influenced in a way whether you are electronic or not. As kids, these things become hardwired into your brain: the sound Pac Man made when it touched a ghost, the Super Mario Bros. theme tune. The SID chip had such a characteristic sound to it, you begin to get attached to those bass end crunchy riffs..

GT: Is anyone in the band a gamer? Any favorites you’d like to share with us?

RW: We’ve played GTA a lot in the back of the tour bus - the possibilities are endless and it just ceases to be a ‘game’. I’ve always loved all the stuff back in the 80s and 90s - Elite on the BBC Micro, Yar’s Revenge on the Atari, Streetfighter 2, I once started and completed Legend of Zelda in one day, during a sick day off school.

GT: Right now you’re touring, but what’s next for the band?

RW: More albums, more everything…

Keep an eye out on the band’s website for tour dates, album information, and funky extras.

Read [ official website] Also Read [FIFA 2009]

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