IGN ("I"): You've always said that you're a big fan of Celtic and Irish music. You did an album that had those types of arrangements on it. Now that your music is becoming more popular outside of Japan, have you thought about doing a Final Fantasy album in this style?
Nobuo Uematsu ("NU"): Certainly my only interest is not in Celtic music. However, very recently I have come to an understanding that complex music is not necessarily pleasant. As you may know my use of Celtic music is extremely simple and short. However there is something about it that will remain in your mind for a long, long time. There's some familiarity in Celtic music, even if you've never heard that piece of music before. And it's very strange, but I think there is something very common—not only in Celtic music—but there is a factor or element in Celtic music that is similar in music that we find in Japan, the United States, Europe, and even China and other Asian countries
I: Since the live Final Fantasy concert series began a few years ago you've been adding new songs and new arrangements to each subsequent concert. I was just wondering what Final Fantasy tracks, if any, you might be wanting to arrange in the future.
NU: I just happen to be a type of person who doesn't make future plans way in advance. Once a project is completed, based on the outcome of that project I would then start to ponder which way to go at that point. So I don't really have a clear plan, in terms of music, as to where I want to head in the future.
I: What is your opinion of Los Angeles and more specifically of our newest landmark, The Walt Disney Concert Hall?
NU:Well, rather than to give you my impression on Los Angeles, per se, my older sister's husband is and American, therefore I have a pretty good idea of the, perhaps the characteristics of Americans in general. But what I feel is the strongest is that as a group of people, I believe that Americans really know how to have fun. And maybe I have this as an impression more than anything else because I went to Universal Studios yesterday and I saw people having a great time. I think that American people really know how to pursue fun, they really know how to have a good time. Japanese are somewhat more reserved than Americans, so I'm jealous.
And as far as the Disney Concert hall is concerned, it is a wonderful modern structure and I am extremely honored that I had this opportunity to have a concert here.
I: Do you plan to make another Black Mages album?
NU: The second album of Black Mages is currently in the process of recording and the basic tracks have already been completed. Hopefully sometime in the future we will be able to have a concert.
I: Also about your band the Black Mages, I was wondering if you had ever thought about adapting one of your stronger songs into something along the lines of a power ballad.
NU: Yes, yes, certainly. Although this is still confidential, I am contemplating on an extremely interesting piece. Hopefully one day we'll be able to have a concert based on that.
I: Over the last few years since the Playstation One games started coming out, the Final Fantasy series has involved many more creative forces than the original trio. But seeing you, Sakaguchi and Amano-san on stage together was like seeing a beautiful reunion. Do you have any hopes that the three of you can work together on a new Final Fantasy some day?
NU: As it was mentioned during the concert, it was 17 years ago or so when I first heard Mr. Sakaguchi and Mr. Amano. However, after a very long period of time, such as 17 years, naturally different people start going on to different paths. But if these two people, who are extremely talented, would want me to work with them again, then certainly there is no reason I would say no.
I: Actually I have two questions. The first one is: do you have a favorite piece out of all the Final Fantasy songs that you've composed? And the other is: everyone is a big admirer of yours as a composer, so I was curious as to who you admire as a composer.
NU: Well it's very hard to choose one favorite tune because I've composed 600 or so tunes for the Final Fantasy series. And between the first Final Fantasy all the way through Final Fantasy XI, there are many, many [pieces of] music that I really like, so it's very hard to come up with one. But I would say the "An Call" from Final Fantasy II, I think that is a tune that is very symbolic in terms of the Final Fantasy series.
The second question is who is my favorite composer. It's hard, as well, because I like many kinds of music. So I'm not sure who I would choose. But for instance, I have all the Beatles and Elton John CDs in my car stereo.
I: Do you plan to do any more albums and compositions independent of the Square-Enix and Final Fantasy names on your own?
NU: Well if you're talking about plans, unless I give you something specific, and then I would be a liar and I don't want to be a liar, therefore at this point I don't think I can give anything specific. But I am exploring different possibilities. I believe that there are many interesting projects that are potentially possible for me other than game music, and therefore in my mind there are several things that are being contemplated. But if you give me a little more time, I will come out with something very interesting soon.
I: What is your opinion on music in more western oriented video games and do you think a concert based on a franchise, if there is one, similar to Final Fantasy, would be successful based on such a theme?
NU: For over ten years or so game music has developed into a very large market. However in countries outside of Japan I think game music is still a potential growth market that has not yet developed to the extent that we are seeing in Japan. I don't know anyone who would be exclusively working on game music, per se. I believe that there are still people who believe that game music is something equal to just an effect incorporated into the game, something like a BGM. And therefore this is something that I would like to show that is not true. We hope that eventually there would be an occasion which I can personally prove that game music can in fact impress many different people and move them. Last year in Germany at a town hall in Leipzig there was a game music concert played by the orchestra and some of the Final Fantasy scores were played. This year there is another concert scheduled in the same location, for game music. And Final Fantasy music will also be played again. So perhaps Germany and this particular town, would be the leading edge of game music.
I: Now that we have CD quality digital audio, do you miss composing chip based music like you did for the Famicom and the Super Famicom?
NU: To put it very simple, during the family computer era there were only three sounds that could be simultaneously emitted. However the number of sounds that we can create all simultaneously has increased dramatically with the PS2. And therefore in the studio we can create the sound quality that we are truly looking for. So in that respect the skillful expression from sound has expanded dramatically. It was very difficult to startle or surprise someone with a particular sound during the family computer era. The only kind of sounds that we could use would be "boo" or a "bah." However now we can create a sound that can truly startle someone and in terms of sound effects I think the environment that we are in now has improved dramatically.
I: Which do you prefer more, writing upbeat songs or ones that are more dramatic?
NU: I personally like both and looking at the selection of the pieces that were played today it seems like most of them were on the slower tempoed side. Perhaps it would have been better if I had added another upbeat, quicker tempoed piece.
I: Each of your Final Fantasy scores has had its own unique flair. How do you believe your musical style and technique in composing has changed over the years?
NU: Well my own impression of my musical pieces is that no matter how long I've been at it, there's not much improvement. So that's kind of regrettable.
I: My question is what kind of songs do you like to sing when you go to karaoke?
NU: Karaoke is really noisy and I don't like really noisy places, so to be honest with you, I could never sing at karaoke.
I: I was glad to see that one of choices in tonight's selection was from Advent Children. I was just wondering how much music are you contributing to that?
NU: Volume is an issue that would be decided by the director, so at this point I really can't say anything. Although some of the data is already in my Mac and when I go back to Japan I really need to work right away.
I: After the recent merger of Square and Enix is there any plans for you to produce music for an Enix based series such as Dragonquest?
NU: If they bring Dragonquest to me, then certainly there is a possibility of considering it. However I am already working with the former Enix people.
I: Is there a song or a soundtrack that you have made that has been more challenging than the others?
NU: Actually the title music for Final Fantasy VI I really like. And I believe that was the time that I had the greatest difficulty. It was hard for me, but I worked really, really hard. In Japan, as we progressed in the Final Fantasy series from IV and then to V, the music was not full-fledged orchestral music and therefore I felt that maybe it was okay that it's not orchestral music. It could be rock music or whatever. It might even be ethnic music that is incorporated. It could be any kind of music. That was the time that I felt really liberated, I felt that I could be really flexible in creating the music and I really had a hard, yet wonderful experience.
I: Your themes for Final Fantasy are very cinematic in nature and I was curious if you have ever considered scoring for feature films?
NU: Basically I'm not a feature film composer and therefore I would probably not be able to provide scores at the level of professionalism in that field. But for instance, if I were to receive a specific request like 'Why don't you create a love melody for this part of the movie?' that's something I would be very happy to accept. But if you're talking about soundtrack scores, then it's better to ask John Williams.
