Hello, listeners!
Thanks for your patience on this episode - it’s a week late, but things are crazy and it’s out now, which is what’s really important 
In this episode, we jump into Bit Blot’s 2007 game, “Aquaria”, with a score by Alec Holowka (and he’s on the show with us!)
We jump into the experiential view of the game as well as delve deep into harmony and the chord progression, especially with its effect on “Aquaria!” I’ve been at it for a few hours, so let’s hope that everything works out this time!
(last post, there was some hilarity trying to get the right file to upload and into the iTunes cache… not sure exactly what happened, but let’s hope this one works out!)
ERRATA: Apparently, I said “I, IV and V are always major, II, III and VI are always major…” In a major key, II, III and VI are always MINOR! I totally missed that… sorry!
As always, please feel free to leave comments on the post or any other post! Discussion is a great thing!
My humblest of thanks for your continued support!
Kenley
Maybe it’s a case of “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” but I think this is one of my favorite Into The Score episodes. I think it’s partially because my first reaction was to be a little disgruntled that you chose some game I’d never heard of as the subject - but I was surprised and delighted as you played the music, picked out the common themes, and interviewed Alec. Not only does this episode show off your show at its best, but I’m likely going to go get a copy of Aquaria now - I mean, the OST if nothing else!
I haven’t played it a while, but I wonder if Cave Story would be a good subject, if you’d like to do another indie game?
Anyway, keep it up, KK, this is a podcast worth waiting for!
- m a t t
I was pointed to your site by Alec via twitter/the Aquaria forums. This was a great listen
I’m going to have to go through your backlogs now
Hey guys, thanks for the compliments!
m a t t - thanks! It’s important to pick up scores from some indie and underground games, because sometimes there’s magic
I fell in love with Aquaria and I hope that you pick it up, it’s like “Super Metroid” underwater and is a gloriously engaging game. ALSO, the soundtrack is SO beautiful! I think that the game is only $30 (maybe $40), but it’s really worth it! Also, I haven’t played “Cave Story,” but I’ve heard that it’s terrific - should I pick it up? Again, thanks for your kind words!
Atreus - I’m glad that you found your way over here! Thanks for listening and please feel free to comment on further posts!
Cheers, team! Talk soon!
Kenley
I would definitely suggest “Cave Story”. The game and all its music was done by one man, which shows a lot of talent. The music is just fantastic and would be ideal for analysis on this podcast. Certain themes run throughout several pieces, arranged differently to suit what is currently happening in the game and overall story.
There is also a character in the game called “Jenka” whose theme is a well-known folk tune from Finland (”Letka Jenka”). I only know this from living in Finland, but I wonder how the guy who made the game and music got to know this, and why it was included.
Anyway, without writing the episode for you, I hope you’ll choose to focus on “Cave Story” on your podcast soon.
Yes, pick up Cave Story. It’s fantastic
you’re going to have to get your hands on cave story. trust us.
Just wanted to drop in and say thanks, Kenley, for all the great episodes. I loved Aquaria, and I agree that this is one of the best perusals yet! It’s great fun to have you help us develop an appreciation for the theory as well as the form of music while we listen. We’ll miss you for the next month, but be assured that we’ll be looking forward to your next installment.
Aquaria OST release this weekend! 2 CDs, 50 tracks, epic brand new 9 minute song, 3 remixes, 7 minute Marian WIP track, poster, concept art, etc.!!!
http://infiniteammo.ca/blog/aquaria-ost-launches-saturday-w-live-pj-jam/#comments
Hey just finished listening to all of your episodes after stumbling upon this site a few months ago. Thanks for all the hard work putting them together. Have enjoyed them immensely. Looking forward to the next episode. Any hint at what it will be?
every time I pop open my rss feed page, I glance over at into the score, and every time I’m disappointed to not see a new entry… are you ever gonna get back to this? Don’t let it go too long!
Paper Mario!!!!
You said that you could come back to the mario RPG series. That a really good ITS podcast.
Hope your doing great.