Save Me Mr Tako

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 quizzing Marc-Antoine Archier, the composer of Save Me Mr Tako! who we previously spoke to as part of a roundtable retro-flavoured interview alongside Manami Matsumae and Jake Kaufman. That was a more serious affair, though — this time we're asking Marc-Antoine the real important questions, like the instrument he'd take on a magical quest. We're regular Jeremy Paxmans over here.

That's more than enough waffling — let's dive right into things...

What was the first song or album you remember buying?

Flyrule: A Terrible Fate by Shag.

What was the last music you listened to?

Le Tombeau de Couperin by Maurice Ravel.

What was the very first video game you wrote music for, and how do you feel listening back now?

It was for a puzzle game on mobile phones called Move and Fire. I don’t think it can be found anymore. I made something like four loops of 20-30 seconds. The next one was Goblins Attack—the mix was poor but I was very excited.

Which piece of yours are you most proud of?

"Sacred Path" from the Save Me, Mr Tako! soundtrack. I used almost everything I’ve learned about chiptune in that track.

Which piece by someone else do you wish you had written?

FX4 by Jake Kaufman.

What do you listen to while you’re driving?

I don't have a driver license, but when I walk, I like to listen to classical music or musicals.

Do you have a musical hero?

Jake Kaufman.

Which decade had the best music?

The 1910s.

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?

My very first pen and paper RPG book: Star Wars D6, Second Edition.

Our thanks to Marc-Antoine. You can follow him on Twitter @M_A_Archier and the Save Me Mr Tako! OST is available on Bandcamp.

Be sure to check out our other Quick Beats interviews with the likes of Austin Wintory, Yuzo Koshiro, Darren Korb, Lena Raine, Manami Matsumae, David Wise and more, and peruse the many other interviews and features of the epic and considerably awesome Nintendo Life VGM Fest.