Game Music Event EXTRA

04.09.2008 by Eva

Game music event "EXTRA," a special musical event gathering a wide range of video game and video game inspired musical composers, was first held in July of last year. Headlining with the Black Mages (a rock-style outfit led by Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu) and featuring everything from DJs to big-bands, the event was considered a dream come true for many fans. The organizers realized they were on the right track, and nearly a year later have announced the second EXTRA-HYPER game music event to take place October 13.

One of the main acts featured at this year's event goes by the name "Trio the DS." Composed of Nobuyoshi Sano, Yasunori Mitsuda, Michio Okamiya of the Black Mages, instead of traditional instruments the group will be using only the KORG-10 software for the DS. KORG-10 is a synthesizer simulation program, made for the DS by one of the world's top musical instrument producers. Essentially turning the DS into a virtual MS-10 synthesizer, it also allows for multiple units to connect via wireless link for unified composition.

Though more artists may be added to the line up, currently confirmed are : Trio the DS; Asami Imai, Mayako Nigo, Hiromi Hirata, and Akiko Hasegawa (all of idolm@ster fame); Motoaki Furukawa with Voyager (Gradius / Namco); Hip Tanaka (Metroid, Dr. Mario, Earth Bound); Betta Flash (Ghouls'n Ghosts); H, composed of Hiro and Takenobu Mitsuyoshi from Sega (Fantasy Zone, Virtual Fighter), KPLECRAFT (modern 8-bit musicians); and Uraken (Metal Gear Solid series).

Tickets go on sale September 13 for 5,800 yen. EXTRA will be held at Studio Coast in Shinkiba, Tokyo.

For more information, please visit the event site at : http://ex-project.com/.