Interview conducted by John Olin of Xbox Evolved.

Considered by many to be the best of what he does, Uematsu has composed music for games such as Final Fantasy in the past, and we got an exclusive interview with him about PLAY! A Video Game Symphony, and Blue Dragon.

XE: Can you tell us what stage during Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children’s production you were brought in?
Uematsu: At Square Enix, we always have several different projects going on at the same time so it is hard to say for sure. But I think it was at the beginning of 2004.

XE: What music inspires you the most?
Uematsu: I really like all kinds of music I listen to all kinds of music that’s for sure, and if you are really asking me to pick one then I would definitely say 70’s pop and rock music. Other than Japanese pop/rock music, when I was in middle school I wanted to become a composer for sure in the future and I knew I had the feeling, the talent and I listen to other countries music to learn more. I like a lot of stuff from the US and UK. In the classical field I love Tchaikovsky, and I want to make beautiful music like he did.

XE: When you first started on Blue Dragon’s music how did you approach it as opposed to Final Fantasy or another project?
Uematsu: The thing with Final Fantasy is, the story is always kind of serious but with Blue Dragon and the character, and the writer Akira Toriyama, created a place that is very pop and comical. So I made the composition style to nice and pop. This music is still really, really good regardless!

XE: How did doing the main theme for Super Smash Bros. Brawl come about?
Uematsu: I would drink with the producer of Super Smash Bros. and we went to drink to together and he said, “Why don’t you make some music for Super Smash Bros”? and I said, “OK!” (Laughs)

XE: What is your favorite piece of music that you have ever composed?
Uematsu:If I have to pick one, it would be “Kiss Me Goodbye”. There is a person who introduced Angela Aki to me, and we went to Square-Enix, and she was playing the piano, and I got a big chill. I was so emotional about the song, and I thought it was going to be a big hit, so that song we made for Final Fantasy XII is a great song.

Xbox Evolved thanks Mr. Uematsu, and make sure you check out the rest of our PLAY! coverage, as well as our coverage of Blue Dragon in the future.