Jason Michael Paul, the producer of the upcoming “The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddess Second Quest” at the VSO, loves music, good coffee, and video games. A man after Sad Mag’s own heart, to be sure. Lawrence Mathes, Sad Mag’s web correspondent for all things gaming-related, had a chance to ask JMP about the important stuff: which Zelda game is his favourite, and what pivotal position Koji Kondo occupies in the musical canon.
Sad Mag: Who are you? Tell our readers a bit about yourself.
JMP: My name is Jason Michael Paul. I was born in San Francisco Bay Area. I am a producer of video game music concerts and a lover of coffee.
SM: How did you originally get into the music industry?
JMP: I began working in the music industry at 21. I used work on music videos and then eventually began working in live music environments producing concerts at parties. This eventually led me to work and stage concerts world wide for Luciano Pavarotti and The Three Tenors.
SM: Most people are familiar with names like Beethoven, Bach and Brahms but Koji Kondo? Not so much. What spurred the decision to do game music?
JMP: In my world, Koji Kondo is a household name. When the opportunity began to start producing video game music concerts and Nintendo’s music (Mario, Zelda, and Metroid) would be a part of my concert that is where my working relationship began back in 2006 as part of PLAY!.
SM: Have you played any of the Legend of Zelda games? If so which one is your favorite?
JMP: Yes, I have played Zelda dating back to the original gold cartridge Zelda game. I would say that my favorite game is Skyward Sword. My company was commissioned to produce the orchestra cd that was released as part of the bundle with that game so it resonates with me. Skyward Sword that is!
SM: How would you describe the music from The Legend of Zelda series to someone who’s never heard it before? What should they expect?
JMP: Legendary! Chad Seiter, my music director, has done a masterful job weaving in and out the themes, battle songs, and does an amazing job of telling the story of the Legend of Zelda. Fans can expect to be blown away by the music and visuals. This is the ultimate Zelda experience!
SM: I attended the last game related performance, a mixture of music from the different Final Fantasy games including the brilliant Dancing Mad. Are there any other game series that you could see the VSO performing pieces from?
JMP: Hopefully, the VSO will perform my other show rePLAY: Symphony of Heroes, which will be touring beginning this month in Omaha with the Omaha Symphony October 12.
SM: Where are you as you write this?
JMP: I am in Pittsburgh with a view of PNC park home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. We just finished up a concert with the amazingly talented Pittsburgh Symphony!
SM: What is the very next music related activity you are going to partake in?
JMP: A rap battle with an emcee who thinks he can out-do me.
SM: Which of the pieces that are going to be played on the 16th is your favorite if you don’t mind me asking?
JMP: The overture!
SM: If I were some kind of foolish individual who hadn’t yet decided if they were going to the performance, what would you say to convince me?
JMP: Don’t be one of those! This opportunity may never come again. Don’t be a fool! Ha ha ha!
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You heard the man, don’t be fool! “The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddess Second Quest” will be performed by the Vancouver Symphonic Orchestra on Wednesday, Oct 16th at the Orpheum Theatre.
(I know I’m going and I’ll be leaving with a stack of CDs!)
