Q&A with Jared Emerson-Johnson, Friday!

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by Sp0tted

How much actual written music is in an episode, vs. how much of it is looped?

Sam and Max has a jazz theme, have you ever considered recording several dozen solos over the same changes as a way of expanding the music?

**Edit: As a musician I know you have CONSIDERED it (we all have), but has that ever been a point of discussion vs. doing loops of music?

Believe it or not, we actually do that at various points in the scores. If you listen to the soundtrack, it's all extrapolated out into a linear form, but we do often have several sets of solos that go over the same forms in various locations. I can go into more detail about this, if you're curious.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by Cosplaybunny

My favorite Sam and Max song is Just You And Me (And Ted E. Bear), it cracks me up every time I listen to it. When working on songs like this do you go at it alone or do you work with the Sam and Max creative team? How did this song come about?

Generally I'll get a set of lyrics from the writers, and then I just jump right in and write it (sometimes making a few word adjustments here and there, but usually just setting the texts they get me).

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by SamWagner

Any songs / sounds / music that you liked that didn't make it into the actual games?

Occasionally I'll write something, or start something, and it just doesn't quite go in the direction I was intending, so I'll usually set it aside. More often than not I'll end up finding a spot for it later in the season, though, and so I'll end up using it somewhere (in a cutscene, etc). Right now I think I have two sketches that are currently orphans, but I'm sure they'll find a home before too long.

An example of this: the track that ended up working out so well for the sewers in 205 was originally begun for an earlier episode...I'll let you all speculate as to which.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by StonkBad

When you have to write background music for a certain place, how much do the devs tell you about the place? Do they show you something like a description or concept art?

I try to get as much information as possible. Generally, there is some detailed description from the designers, and usually some sort of half-done environment to look at, so I usually have a pretty solid idea of how it should feel.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by Astro Gnocci

Not sure how to phrase it...
But basically how do you go about writing a theme ?
Do you start with the actual melody, or with some cliché lines to fit the mood needed, or just play around until you find something that clicks ?
I always thought instrumental music was much harder than just adding some fancy stuff to an actual song. It's really hard to come up with a good theme or melody, and even more when doing "ambience music", having to convey a certain mood or emotion...
Any insight on your overall musical life ?
Also, what is/are your favourite instrument(s) to noodle with ?

Have you ever considered writing a "max" hard rock song (i mean, a song max would write, complete with hyperkinetic lyrics and rabitty guitar solos - or vice versa) ?

Thanks a lot for the thread anyway. The "euro-friendly" timing is a nice touch, too

A lot of different composers work in different ways, and for me it sort of depends on the style and purpose of the cue in question. More often than not, though, I actually start with the harmonic progressions, since I feel like that has a bigger influence on the overall emotional/tonal feel of a piece of music. That's really just my own personal process preference, though.

My most comfortable instrument is the violin, but I also spend a lot of time with the guitar and piano. I probably do most of my composition "working it out" on the piano, just because it's the easiest instrument for me to play multiple voices.

Heh, so far I have not made any plans for a Max hard rock song, but hey...you never know what's coming down the road.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by Weeblerjake

Some simple questions.
Did you play an(y) instrument(s) when you were a kid?
Also, did you always want to be a composer?

And one harder one.
I'm sort of interested in composing. I like to make up songs on the piano and whatnot. What do you think I should do?

Some of these were answered earlier, but I'll repeat them here.

Yup, I played the violin for years and years. I also played a little clarinet in grade school, but only for a couple years. I picked up the piano and guitar in high school, and I studied voice at that time, as well.

I actually didn't always have my heart set on composition. In fact, I came to it rather late in my musical studies. I always had an interest in it, but it wasn't until college, after taking a pretty heavy load of theory courses, that I started writing. It only took a couple months for it to become my primary interest, though, and it's been that way ever since.

My main advice would be: go for it! Have as much fun, and try as many things as you can. I do think some kind of background in tonal theory at some point is a pretty critical step if you're interested in genre composition, but more important than anything is just doing the work, and doing it regularly. The more you write, the easier it'll be, and the more fun.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by Hyperkinetic_Martian

Hey Jared! Two questions:

What kind of program(s) do you use to edit and compile the music, voices, and sound effects (or even compose)?

How long does it usually take to get all the sound work done for a single episode?

Some of this was answered earlier in some of the previous posts, but I use Digital Performer, Pro Tools, Bias Peak, Sibelius, and occasionally Cubase.

Again, it depends on the schedule for a given episode (and the side of the audio order), but the music generally takes 4-6 weeks per episode. Sound is about the same, with a big push at the end. Voice generally is recorded in 1-2 weeks, with a set of pickups for another half week or so. It all depends on the amount of content, and the crunch of the schedule, though.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by Icedhope

Actually I only have one question wich is this. When writing your music for any game what inspires you the most? Also what are the steps to writing masterpieces?

Hahah...I have yet to work out the steps to writing masterpieces, but if any of you have any leads, please pass them along!

I think the most inspiring part of the process is talking with the designers and getting their visions of the story into my head.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by leonardo8

Hello Jared,
First of all, I'd like to thank you for all the wonderful music in previous Sam & Max seasons. I have three questions:
1) Who are your three favourite jazz musicians and why?
2) Do you prefer traditional or modern jazz?
3) Are all the solos in your jazz pieces set or do you allow improvisation?

Boy, these are the toughest questions, always, since my interests shift so much. I think I'll refer to the list I gave here: http://talesofmi.net/?p=777

In the question of trad. vs. modern jazz, it really depends on the mood I'm in. I think both have a ton to offer. I probably listen to them about equally, though.

The solos are entirely improvised by the players. I wouldn't have it any other way, they're the masters of their instruments, and nothing I could write would have the same flow as we get from just firing up a mic and letting them go wild.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by snotsnit

I want to know if the Season 3 will have more long Jazz songs.

Also, I really liked the Consecutive Office song, and I was wondering why you decided to make that specific song an 8 minute long jazz ensemble?

That one worked out that way because there were 2 versions of the tune, one for when max is president, and one for before—plus, there were versions of the forms that had solos, and versions that didn't. So it's really a 2 minute form, repeated 4 times, in all of those different incarnations...if that makes sense.

It's safe to say there will be other tracks along those lines for the season 3 soundtrack!

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by thatdude98

I loved your work on TMI, Jared. You're also great at being a crazed arcade machine.


Anyway, I'm thinking about a career in computer music. I'm pretty handy with Abelton Live, and I wanted to know if you had any advice for me?

I don't actually have much experience with Abelton, but my general advise for aspiring composers of any kind is to stick to it, and to keep writing, as much and as often as possible.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by Zeek

Are we ever going to get a Useful to Boot instrumental track? I'm kidding.

Have you ever thought about rearranging the original Sam & Max: Hit The Road theme song just for fun and not as something that will play in the game? Jeremy Soule has done something similar at least once, although he posted that "for fun" project on OCRemix.org.

That never did occur to me, and I'm afraid there might be some copyright infringement issues with LEC, but to be honest, I rarely have time for anything "extracurricular" these days, and when I do, I usually take to the mountains and go backpacking!

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by puzzlebox

1) To an outsider, music composition seems to be a very creative endeavour. What happens when/if you don't feel particularly creative or inspired - is it still possible to sit down and churn out the music? Is scoring as natural and procedural to you as, say, programming is to a programmer?

2) Until you voiced the Marquis de Singe in Tales of Monkey Island, we didn't realise you were freakishly good at anything other than music. What further hidden talents lurk in Jared's unplumbed depths?

3) The lives of successful musicians are often fraught with the temptation and vice that come with the trappings of fame. You, however, seem like a very down-to-earth young man. How do you manage to "keep it real"? Or have you simply been lucky enough to escape the glare of tabloid journalism thus far?

That is a really good question, and it's one that a lot of my friends ask me. There are definitely tunes that flow really freely, and some that are like prying a rusted door open. The reality of the work, though, is that it has to get done, and usually very quickly, so I've learned to live with the "blocks", and to work through them as much as possible. I have found that the more I write, the less likely I am to be blocked, or to feel uninspired. I can't speak to the question about programming, since I am decidedly not a programmer, but I do think learning how to carry on through a difficult creative moment is an important skill that needs to be honed by any composer. It sort of comes with the territory.

Haha. Um, I like to think I'm a decent cook...I certainly enjoy it. I do a lot of teaching work with junior high and high school age kids, and I like to think I'm reasonably good at that.

Haha! My life is not glamorous at all. I honestly think of myself more as a craftsman than anything else—lucky enough to be making a sustainable living doing the things I love best. Anything beyond that would just be noise, to me, I think.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by Joop

Hey Jared,

Just wanted to ask you what your favorite experiences were working for Telltale.
Anything particular you have learned by doing the music for all these games?

All of my favorite experiences are moments where I was in collaboration with the rest of the team. All of the recording sessions are high on my list, just because I love working with actors and musicians and building something together with them. I love working with the writers and designers, to help bring a story to life. I guess the main thing I've learned through all of my work for Telltale over the years is how to turn around huge amounts of music in a very short time.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by corruptbiggins

Jared, I was just wondering if you have played any of the games you were involved with making? Do you play video games at all for that matter? If so which ones?

It takes me a LONG time before I can play the games I work on and experience them as a player, not as a creator. For example, only now, in the last year or two, have I been able to fire up Psychonauts and just play it without thinking of the long nights implementing sounds, and tweaking the mix (and noticing things that I wish I could revise, etc.)

I'm nearly there with the Bone games, I think. I'll have to give them a go at some point soon.

I don't play a ton of games, but I play more than I ever used to. Honestly, the games I play most often are the classic 8 and 16 bit nes and snes games. I have been known to very occasionally spend entire weekends playing GTA: Vice City and Katamari Damacy, though.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by Scrawffler

Hey Jared, love your work (music, voice acting, everything)! In fact I'm listening to the Bone soundtracks as I type!!

Here's something I'm always curious about with musicians. What is your favourite genre of music to listen to? And what is your favourite genre to compose?

A lot of your music reminds me of certain classic adventure games. Are there any adventure classics that you are particularly inspired by?

Your voice acting as DeSinge was awesome! Will you be voicing anyone in The Devil's Playhouse?

And of course, what is your all-time favourite Beatles song?

More "favorites" questions! They're so hard! I listen to a lot of classical, rock, and jazz. Those are probably what I listen to the most. The darker stuff is always more fun to write.

The scores to Monkey Island 2 and 3, and Grim Fandango were the main reason I first became interested in game audio, so it's safe to say those scores had an influence. I love all of those classic LEC adventure games, and since I started my career working beside Clint Bajakian, I think a lot of my way of looking at game audio is in that school of game scoring.

The COPS are back in the Devil's Playhouse, so you'll get more of them. Beyond that, we'll just have to wait and see, I guess!

Man, favorite Beatles. It's probably a toss up between the entire second half of Abbey Road and Happiness is a Warm Gun. And for sheer Beatles pop, probably I've Just Seen A Face or Girl...or I'm Looking Though You. I'm lousy picking these "favorites," I tell ya!

[Nojh]

Originally Posted by Will

Ok, I officially want to make a Transmet game now.

You have no idea how awesome of an idea that is in my head. I'm not even sure I have an idea. Wow...

Okay that was like two minutes of me sitting here thinking about how awesome a game of that would be. You'd be Spider. You'd have your bowel disruptor. Half the screen could be green, the other half red (okay thats a bad idea but still kinda funny) and mini games where you get to punt puppies! PUPPY PUNTING!

Okay maybe you do have an idea of how cool that is.

Will, Jake, Jared, please! Anybody, this /must/ happen! And you have to get Patrick Steward to voice Spider! He wants to. He said he did. Maybe he'll do it cheaply.

[JaredEJ]

Originally Posted by World93

Out of curiosity, how did you come up with the war song? If that wasn't you, sorry for taking your time.

The idea of doing The War Song originally came from Brendan and Dave, if I recall. They said they'd like to have a big musical number about War, and then got me a list of lyrics, which I believe were written by Brendan, but I can't quite remember at this point. I added the big dance break, though, since I wanted it to be sufficiently show-stopping.

[JaredEJ]

Well folks, I need to get back to work, but it was nice answering all of these questions for you. Sorry I'm so rotten at picking favorite things—there is just too much that I like.

I'll try to check in on this forum at some point down the line, to answer any followup questions any of you may have, but until then, be well!

[Jake]

Originally Posted by JaredEJ

The idea of doing The War Song originally came from Brendan and Dave, if I recall. They said they'd like to have a big musical number about War, and then got me a list of lyrics, which I believe were written by Brendan, but I can't quite remember at this point. I added the big dance break, though, since I wanted it to be sufficiently show-stopping.

I think the lyrics were actually written by Chuck. Pete and I thank/curse you for adding the giant dance break, but it really made that moment.