Throughout the Nintendo Life Video Game Music Festival we're speaking to a range of composers and musicians for a mixture of in-depth interviews and shorter, sharper (and perhaps a little goofier) Q&As where we ask just ten rapid-fire personal questions; we're calling these shorter features 'Quick Beats'.
Today we're talking to Harumi Fujita, a former Capcom composer whose work includes classic arcade games such as Final Fight, Bionic Commando, and Pulstar, and a host of 8-bit Nintendo titles including Mega Man 3, Strider, Gargoyle's Quest, and — an absolute personal favourite — Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers. She's also contributing to the upcoming (and long-awaited) Windjammers 2.
We asked her ten rapid-fire questions about her career, musical tastes and more...
What was the first song or album you remember buying?
I heard The Beatles' "Let It Be" over the PA system during lunch in junior high school—it blew my mind and I bought the album.
What was the last music you listened to?
"Haru o Tsugeru" by Kujira, a Vocalo-P musician. [Loosely, "Heralding the Arrival of Spring”. Vocalo-P stands for Vocaloid producer, musicians who write songs with voice synthesizer software like Vocaloid and post it to tube sites such as Niconico] I listened to it because my daughter likes it and made me. It's a really pleasant song.
What was the very first video game you wrote music for, and how do you feel listening back now?
I think it was Mad Crasher, which I wrote for SNK [an isometric arcade shooter published in 1984]. It's a little embarrassing to listen to now, but I guess it was the best I could do back then.
Which piece of yours are you most proud of?
The first thing that comes to mind is Pulstar on the Neo Geo, but I'm really proud of my recent work on Windjammers 2. It's still waiting to be published, though.
Which piece by someone else do you wish you had written?
I wish I had done one of the Mario games. Maybe Mario Party.
What do you listen to while you’re driving?
I listened to the Doobie Brothers while driving on a recent trip.
Do you have a musical hero?
That would have to be Joe Hisaishi. I love all of his Ghibli music.
Which decade had the best music?
The 1980s.
Ocarina, harp or bongos — which magical instrument do you take on an epic adventure?
The harp.
If your house were on fire and you only had time to grab one keepsake before you flee to safety with your family, what would you take?
The computer I'm using now.
Many thanks to Harumi Fujita for speaking with us. Follow her on Twitter @soundfujita.
Be sure to check out our other Quick Beats interviews with the likes of Austin Wintory, Yuzo Koshiro, Darren Korb, Jake Kaufman, Lena Raine, Manami Matsumae, David Wise and more, and be sure to read more interviews and features that have been part of the Nintendo Life VGM Fest.
Comments 12
The first album I ever bought with my own cash was The Beatles Abbey Road. I bought it on Boxing Day 1990. I remember as I just became a teenager the month before and got my first ever CD player for Xmas. It also blew my mind, still does 21 years later.
This is the 2nd developer to mention The Beatles in these interviews. The greatest band there was, is and ever will be. Nobody comes close.
Unpopular opinion: Joe Hisaishi's best music is his work with Takeshi Kitano (Sonatine, Silent Love, Kids Return etc.) and his synth-infused solo albums (Curved Music, projects under Wonder City Orchestra).
His Ghibli stuff is lovely and memorable, but just weaker in terms of music production imo. Nausicaä is the first and best for me.
@OorWullie The Beatles have nothing on Blümchen 😂
One of my all-time favorite composers here. Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers was so memorable mostly because of the music. And Mega Man 3 has my favorite soundtrack in the series thanks to the work that she did(which was cut extremely short due to labor), along with the work of Yasuaki Fujita(no relation).
I’ll be sure to check out Windjammers 2.
@nessisonett The Beatle Barkers perhaps haha
I loved Chip n Dale on the nes. Some great memories with that game, also Final Fight is up there with one of my favourite beat em ups. The soundtrack on Final Fight was excellent.
Haha she answered every question very modestly...but this woman composed Gargoyle's Quest on the Gameboy?!
Dang that is one of my favourite soundtracks (and a cherished game memory). Arigato lady Harumi! 😍
Very nice, glad this artist got some time in the limelight. Their music has been very influential on a lot of people!
NINJA APPROVED
Thank you guys for doing this series-if not for this, I may not have ever checked out my new favorite game of the year, Sayonara Wild Hearts. Thank you for shining a light on the composers, who often get overlooked in conversations about gaming.
@Chlocean the music is so important! My favourite example is the Yoshi games. Wooly world was definitely better and more magical because of that awesome soundtrack.... And crafted world was almost grating to play because it's horrible music! 😂
I think the rescue rangers games would have been the first time I actually stopped to listen to the music! I was like 5 or 6! It could be my most ever played game because I would play it almost every day. Finishing 1 and starting 2, and back! 😂
@depwnz Summer (from Kikujiro) is by far my favorite piece of his. The man is a genius. He's simply most famous for his work on the Hayao Miyazaki films from Studio Ghibli. I'm certain there's plenty of his music that most people have never heard.
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