Interview conducted by the staff of Gamespot
Intro
Composer Nobuo Uematsu is a veteran of the series and is responsible for music throughout the FF games. FFX features some of his most experimental work in the series, mixing the traditional instrumental music FF is know for with contemporary music styles and even using vocals in a track that features J-Pop artist Rikki. We spoke to Uematsu about his working process and his musical experimentation in FFX.
GameSpot ("GS"): FFX features a mélange of music that's a departure from what gamers have come to expect from the series. Why make the change? What was the inspiration to do it?
Nobuo Uematsu ("NU"): I believe the general direction of a game soundtrack depends on the game's content rather than on its size. Since FFX made great strides for the series, I wanted to do the same from a musical standpoint by trying something new.
GS: Where did you look for musical inspiration when working on the music?
NU: I'm no genius, so I don't get inspired. I just use the music I've listened to or created as a base.
GS: How did you go about doing all the music for the game? How do you work/create?
NU:
1) Deadline approaches.
2) Pressure builds.
3) Sit in front of the keyboard, determined to work.
4) No good.
5) Procrastinate.
6) Deadline draws even closer.
7) Sit in front of the keyboard, determined to work.
8) No good.
9) No more time to procrastinate.
10) Give up.
11) Try to sound plausible while in tears.
GS: Does this new approach to music mark a permanent change in the music for the series or is it an experiment?
NU: It was experimental.
GS: Why did you choose a contemporary artist--Rikki--to be a part of the music?
NU: It was intuition. After listening to her CD for the first time, I knew right then and there she was the one.
GS: How has it been received by fans in Japan?
NU: Every time I finish recording a theme song, I first have my wife listen to it. She gave high marks to all the previous songs, but she didn't really care for "Suteki da ne." I lost a little confidence then; but once the song was released, it made the top ten on the Japanese charts, so I'm relieved.
GS: What's your favorite game soundtrack?
NU: I have a personal attachment to each soundtrack, but I'm not fully satisfied with any of them. I'll keep trying.