An Interview with o2
What are your favourite sid tunes?
Dragons Lair 2, Spellbound, Knuckelbuster, Ocean Loader, Thrust…
Who were your favourite C64 Composers?
Rob Hubbard, Martin Galway, David Whittaker, Mark Cooksey, Ben Daglish, Fred Gray, Matt Gray, to name a few.
Did you ever compose on the C64?
Yeah.. But not anything worth mentioning.. They are in the HVSID but not under o2. Yeah… And only 1 song..
What are your fondest memories of the C64
The game Elite, its because of that game i bought a C64… Still one of the greatest games ever made..
Why did you start arranging C64 music?
Simple.. I LOVE SID MUSIC..
Why do you think that the c64 music scene is still booming to this very day?
Because people grown up with the C64 still remember those funny/great sounding songs.. And those songs bring lots of memories back.. Also C64music is art, i suppose.
Who do you feel gives the scene the biggest boost, and why?
Chris Abbot for his great work with BIT Jan Lund Thomsen at RKO for his work with RKO
What equipment do you use?
Digidesign Digi-001, Boss Dr-550, Ensoniq Ts10, Novation Supernova, Nord Modular Key..
While listening to your music, I’ve realised that on most of your covers, you have built you arrangements on atmosphere, some even dream like. Why is this?
Because i really like that kind of music.. Composers like Jean Michel Jarre, Enigma, Enya and Kitaro inspire me..
Would you say that you get your musical influences from anyone, or do you think that’s it’s entirely your own ideas?
I think it would be both.. Music influences from Jean Michel Jarre, but i still got my own style… (i think)
When arranging a remix what do you look at within the original composition?
Really don't know… I just take a song i like..
What in your opinion makes a good remix?
A good remix is when the arranger is happy with it 😊
If there was a tune you wish you could claim as your own then what would it be and why?
Well, it's not a C64 song.. It would be Jean Michel Jarre's Oxygene 1-6.. Still one of his best..
How did you come to be part of the Back In Time 3 CD, and are you happy with the results of your Zoids
cover?
Chris contacted me after he heard my Zoids version.. i was very happy when i got that mail from Chris.. I couldnt believe it.
And yes… Im very happy with that cover.. Except for the Noise in the background. (i didnt have Digi-001 at that time).. But thanks to Chris.. the noise is gone..
What are your early impressions of BIT3?
BIT3, whats that?? 😉 The truth is… I dont have words for it… So damn good
What do you think about the Bitlive idea, and will you be attending?
The Bitlive idea is a great idea, A great way to get the C64 Music
out to a bigger crowd. (Atleast i think so) Would love to be there.. But dont have the time or money…
Have you considered releasing a CD yourself?
Yes… with my own music… But lets see what will happen.
Do you think C64 music will ever make a real commercial breakthrough?
I really dont know. Impossible to awnser, but i sure hope so. There are a couple of artists that use sounds that remind me of the sounds from the c64 (like Rollergirl-Superstar)
What other Arrangers have made an impression on you? But, DHS of The SoundWavers, Puffy64 for his guitarmadness, Instant Remedy for his dancehits, THC Flatline, Trace for Way of exploding fist and Chris abbot for his work with BIT
DHS of The SoundWavers, Puffy64 for his guitarmadness, Instant Remedy for his dancehits, THC Flatline, Trace for Way of exploding fist and Chris abbot for his work with BIT
Is there a C64 sid that has not yet been covered that you would like to hear?
Yeah.. But don't know which one yet 😊
Finally, What does the future have in store for O2?
A couple of CD's with my own music. (I hope) More arranged C64 songs. And a happy life with my daughter.
As read above o2 has appeared on the CD bit 3. He provides an emotinal remix of Zoids. As with all the tunes on Bit 3 his remix of Zoids is quite superb.
- Neil
