A Chat With Video Game Orchestra Founder Shota Nakama

With a successfully Kickstarted album on the way, a new international tour in the works, and a AAA game soundtrack- Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII- under its belt, the Video Game Orchestra is taking off even beyond the lofty heights they had already reached. At the center of the group is Shota Nakama, its rock star founder with the drive to take the VGO all the way to the top. Amidst his busy schedule, we managed to catch up with Shota and wring some questions out of him.

Five years ago, the VGO had its first performance at Gordon Chapel in Boston's Old South Church. Just a few months back, you and the VGO finished recording Lightning Returns and are now going to Taiwan! Did you have any idea, back then, how big the VGO would become?

SN: I don’t think so, haha.  When I conceived the idea of the group, I was purely excited to do something that I can truly enjoy.  I remember about the first concert very clearly. The house was totally full with a crazy amount of applause, all the musicians who had been sort of “suspicious” about the group had their jaws dropped because they never thought the show would be like that, and I just felt great, you know? 

What was your original goal with the VGO's creation?

SN: Just like I said, I really did not have a “goal” at least in terms of business. I was really just trying to do something that I was passionate about, and the horizon of possibilities began expanding as we kept doing the great shows at the best of our abilities. 

The VGO is described as "rockestral" music. How do you bring this concept to life on stage?

SN: The term “rockestral” is quite simple: Rock + Orchestral. I love both genres, but I love it even more when those are integrated together.  We have a rock band, full orchestra and choir all on the same stage, over 100 people, performing all together to create our signature massive sonic wave of sound – the heavy, epic rock awesomeness backed up by the grand orchestral elegance.

I used to listen to a lot of European Neo-Classical Metal bands like Halloween, Rhapsody, Gamma Ray and Stratovarius as well as the classic Deep Purple, Yes and so on. They all did integrate classical musical ideas into their compositions, so I definitely inherited those from them. 

Do you select songs with this "rockestral" concept in mind?

SN: Yes. There are certain songs that just don’t work as well as others.  I listen to a bunch of soundtracks when thinking about adding new arrangements, and I usually hear somewhat complete idea in my head even before starting to write down something.  They happen to be rockestral quite often.

Can you talk a little bit about the song selection process, and what it takes to bring songs to the stage?

SN: Again, it starts from listening through soundtracks.  Which ones to listen to is usually determined by requests, some games I have played or am playing, and so on. Then I spend some time with those pieces for a while, and once the ideas pop up in my head, I start writing sketches, which are shapes, words or actual notes.  By that point I am hearing about 80% of how it is going to sound like in my head, so the rest is to bringing them all on staff papers.  Of course sometimes the result comes out differently than what I was hearing because I change my mind or better ideas coming up, but that is just a creative process of making something I am happy with. 

What is your favorite piece from the VGO's repertoire?

SN: This is a hard question to answer because there are so many that I like!  If I have to name some… Chrono Trigger, Big Blue from F-Zero, Build That Wall from Bastion, Street Fighter II, Chrono Cross, Vampire Killer and etc – too many to list. 

Are there any pieces on your list of "dream" performances?

SN: I would love to do Dragon Quest, Zelda, Uncharted and Halo as well as some other classics like Double Dragon and Contra.  I have too many songs to list here, too (laughs)  But I always like to do something with a distinct, clear thematic idea. If you have any suggestions, please do let me know! 

What does the VGO bring to the table for a game like Lightning Returns that other orchestras don't?

SN: Besides our great musicality, incredible passion and love for the game. 

How can people get involved with the VGO?

SN: If you want to be involved, please send me your complete resume and audio/video demo through our site! I actually do take a look at all the resumes we receive, so that is the best way to stimulate our interest toward you. 

The VGO is headed to Taiwan! Are more international performances in your future?

SN: We are again discussing about a tour in China.  We went there and did 4 shows in 2012, and the same promoter would like us back sometime late 2014. 

I would love to do also do tours in South America and Europe, too, especially since our style would do really well in those places. Let me know if you know anybody who might be interested (laughs)

Check back on Thursday for part two of the interview, where we discuss the music of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and Shota himself!