Beauty of Annihilation

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Interview: Elena Siegman






1. How long have you be writing music?

I’ve been singing, honestly, since I can remember, but I started writing songs and playing the guitar at about the same time, when I was about fifteen or sixteen. This is probably more of a question for Kevin, though, since I didn’t do a lick of writing for Lullaby or for The One!

2. What kinds of things inspire you?

For these songs in particular, I was really inspired by the vision and the focus that Kevin had. By the time the songs got to me, they were nearly complete, and he had a very clear idea of what he wanted to do.

When he’d give the songs to me, with lyrics and a guide track, I’d listen just a few times and suddenly would be REALLY eager to just get in the booth and start singing it.

Singing someone else’s song requires a totally different form of inspiration than songwriting does. I just won’t be able to do a very capable job of it if I am not excited about the song or am having a hard time understanding what the songwriter wants to hear. For these two songs, all I had to do was listen to the music and imagine the vocal track a few times before I was completely excited. I’m sure Kevin could tell you about how I’d listen, go over it with him once or twice and then leap up and go “OH MY GOD THIS IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!” and run toward the recording booth.

5. Have you performed on stage?


Does Karaoke count? Ha, just kidding.

Sure have. When I was younger it would be at open mics with my acoustic guitar, and then gigs where I’d play my own songs to a room full of about 40 people max.

When I moved to Boston, I joined an all-girl punk band called Vagiant, in which I was not the singer, but the “lead guitarist”. I put that in quotes because I want everybody to understand that I am a pretty terrible guitar player. We played a bunch of shows, to some pretty decent-sized audiences in my mind (nothing special in the scheme of things, probably).

Kevin and I haven’t performed these songs live, that would be interesting. It would be hard enough for me to sing all of the parts at once, but I have no idea how Kevin will play all of the instruments at the same time. I am pretty certain that I will never be able to hit the high note at the end of “The One” again. That was a miracle recorded on tape.

6. Haha! Vagiant, eh? That sounds like a pretty hard core chick band right there. So, what were the most challenging aspects of creating this music?


It was a little bit of a challenge for me because these songs are so different, stylistically, from what I normally sing. “The One” in particular was difficult for a couple of reasons. When I first heard what Kevin wanted to do, with the whispering/growling of the verses, my first thought was, “Is he crazy? He does realize that I am a giant dork and I will never be able to make this sound cool, right?”

However, he had such a clear idea of what he wanted to hear, and is really so good at giving direction and suggesting different ways of doing things, that it didn’t take many tries for us to eventually get it right. The end product is something I’d never be able to pull of on my own, in a blazillion years. So the big challenge there, I think, is in being brave and trusting that I can try some things I’ve never tried before, and maybe it will work out!

7. Nice, a little self degradation! You were also a singer on some of the Perks-a-Cola jingles…how does singing on those differ from performing songs like “The One”?

Jingles are fun and easy – all you have to do is imitate what you’ve heard on the radio, or in television or movies, a million times over. You can be campy and silly, in fact, the more over the top the better. I am kind of a giant dork, as mentioned above, so I feel really comfortable doing that.

However, too much imitation in a song like “The One” and you’re going to ruin the song. My instinct was to do that at first with both of those songs, because it’s not a style I’m particularly well-versed with, but again, Kevin directed me really well. Pretty much all of my instinct for the first takes of those songs was totally wrong.

8. Are you doing anything musically in the future?

In fact! I’m currently working on my own album, which is ridiculously different from these songs. I don’t want to say too much about it stylistically because it’s still evolving, but I can tell you it is really, really different!

I’m also currently in a band started by another fella at Treyarch, Gary Spinrad, called Elviss Simmons and The Memphis Strutters. There are 11 people in this band – including a four-person horn section and a stand-up bass player. I am one of three female backup singers. We should start playing around town this summer.

8.a. Yeah I can’t wait for the Elviss Simmons project to go live. Gary is an amazing guy. (We’ll probably get him doing one of these, too one of these days).

9. So, where can I buy your album(s)?


Well, the where I can’t answer at all yet. My EP is currently in progress and should be done by the fall.

As far as Kevin’s album goes, well – I think he needs to make one. And stat!


10. You guys should come up with a band name for the zombie music!
Thoughts?


Well, I ran this through a band name generator with the seed word “Zombie” and this is what I got:

• Zombie Of The Keen Dolphin
• Zombie Service
• Through Zombie
• Zombie Of The Pygmy Puff
• Zombie Puddle
• Tacky Zombie
• Decently Zombie
• Zombie Inside Fear
• Shooting Scarlet
• Change Canadian
• Kink Of The Zombie Breed
• Zombie Underwear
I kind of love “Zombe of The Pygmy Puff”, “Zombie Puddle” and “Zombie Underwear”.

11a. Lol! That’s a brilliant idea. Maybe it’s because I’m a Miami Dolphin fan, but I think I like Zombie of the Keen Dolphin best!

12. Elena, game producing or singing?

That is a hard question! Don’t make me choose!

Honestly, up until very recently I have always thought of myself as a video game producer who makes music on the side. Right now I’m focusing on music full time, so it’s a bit of an adjustment. I love making video games and can’t wait to get back to it when I’m ready.

The other thing is, too, when you are a producer, when you are on a project, you are ON THAT PROJECT. You can’t go on tour, you can’t really leave early to go to band practice, etc. You really dedicate your life to the game you are producing. I don’t mind that at all, but when you do several projects back to back, your music can start to suffer. It’s still possible, though. The entire time I worked on Guitar Hero 2, I was in a band and we played several shows and practiced weekly. So I will never choose a favorite! Never!!

13. Which song is your favorite?

I think “The One” is my favorite. “Lullaby” is really fun, but it was our first time out of the gate, so I had just no idea what was going to happen. When we finished “Lullaby” and listened to it, I know I was really surprised at how great it turned out, I think Kevin was as well, and so when we went to work on “The One”, I think we both wanted to see just how far we could take it.

When “The One” was totally done and mastered and I listened to it the first time, I could not believe it. I still can’t listen to it without thinking, “wow, is that really me?!”

14. Who are you favorite artists?

Ok, we’ll be here all day. I am really, really passionate about the music I listen to. I love metal (in particular, Metallica, Megadeth, Mastodon and Iron Maiden), and I love punk (particularly hardcore, rockabilly and garage punk, too many bands to list), and country music (I’m serious. Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash and Porter Wagoner), and I love pop music (Prince and.. um, Kelly Clarkson, and I mean it) and I love rock music (Zeppelin, AC/DC, Queens of The Stone Age) and Hip Hop (Missy Elliot, Ludacris, Public Enemy) – I have a LOT of favorites.

15. Anything else you'd like to say?

Ok, well first and foremost, I just want to give mad props to Kevin for being a musical genius and writing some incredible songs on insane deadlines, performing all of the instrumentation himself, and producing and directing these songs to pure awesomeness. I can’t say enough about his talent and how much I respect him, and also how grateful I am for getting the chance to be part of it!

Also, Collin Ayers, who is the best engineer ever, and Brian Tuey, of course, for making it all happen, and the entire COD team for making such an incredibly fun mode (it really is amazingly fun – I feel extremely lucky to be part of it at all!).

Wait, is this the part where I plant an unexpected kiss on Halle Berry?

15a. YES! Haha! Thanks Elena.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Interview: Kevin Sherwood



So here it is. If you have questions for Kevin, just ask below. The Elena Interview follows the same format...and should be ready 'soon'.

1. How long have you be writing music?

Well I've been playing guitar since I was 10 but I'd say I've been writing actual music for about 10 years. Before that I was writing crap. Haha Writing music is a very strange process in which you have to balance objectivity with personal connection. I used to write small riffs but I could never turn it into song and then at some point when I was at Berklee I made the connection between melody driven harmony and harmony driven melody. Once I made this revelation I was able to take anything and have it tell me how the song should go. Letting go of the need to impose your will on the song is the hardest and most important thing you can do in songwriting.

2. What kinds of things inspire you?

I listen to lots of different kinds of music. If I were to hear samples of different songs I wouldn't prefer one over another based on genre. I instead listen for something, I don't really have a word for it, that just invokes a sense of inspiration. It could be the synergy between the drums and guitars, it could be the melody of the voice landing on a 9th in a minor key, or maybe just a breakdown after the bridge. I just know it when I hear and think to myself, "This is awesome!"

The biggest influence lately has probably been Sean Murray who did the score for World at War. I was able to make guitar arrangements out of some of the level compositions and just by studying what he was doing I realized he has a grasp of composition that is unparalleled.

3. How did you come up with the lyrics for Lullaby and what do they
mean?


Haha Well I don't want to give too much of an explanation because there are clues within the lyrics that may lead to something. I will say that it is about someone who is reflecting on life but also lamenting what has become of it.

4. How about The One?

The one lyrics are from the point of view of someone who has retained enough of their humanity to understand that they have cravings but has not retained enough to have any moral polarity concerning their actions.

5. Have you performed on stage?

Yes indeed. I haven't performed any of the call of duty songs live yet but who knows....

6. What were the most challenging aspects of creating this music?

Time frame. Hahaha Well the hardest part of any song is just starting it. You start questioning things like, "What the hell is this going to be about?", "What key am I going to write this in?" Once I had a riff or a melody the song starts taking shape. I have a tendency to question myself a little too much and get frustrated too. If I hear my own song over and over everyday I start wondering if its even good anymore. I think this happens with all song writers though.

7. Are you doing anything musically in the future?


I will always be writing, recording, and performing. I've been a musician all my life and I love it.

8. Where can I buy your album?

Good question. I'll let you know as soon as I make it.

9. You guys should come up with a band name for the zombie music!
Thoughts?


Oh God I'm terrible at band names. I'll let Elena handle that one. Or maybe the people reading this have an idea or two.

10. Kevin do you prefer sound design or music composition?

I can't say that I prefer one over the other because they have so many similarities. You could argue that they are the same thing. They are both compositions except one is of a musical nature whereas the other is more based on frequency and placement.

11. Which song is your favorite?

Oh man I don't think I can choose. I love the minor major seveny/dorianesque flavor of Lullaby but I the sharp 11s in "The One" are great too.

12. Who are you favorite artists?

A few eclectic examples that I have found some useful musical tools from would be Meshuggah, Arc Enemy, Beethoven, Evanescence, Shostakovich, Dimmu Borgir and on and on...

I've also analyzed some really cool stuff from game composers. One in particular that blew my mind when I heard it was the sound track to an old smurfs game from the 80's haha. The composers name is Alberto Gonzalez. When I analyzed it I realized that his use of minor major 7th tonics and the dorian mode was pure genius. The compositions for the cinematics in Diablo II are also treasure troves of chromatic harmony.

13. So let me get this straight...you based one of your songs off of a Smurfs soundtrack written by a guy named Alberto Gonzales?

Uh...haha..yes.

14. Haha..well, that must have been some album! Anyway, What kind of gear are you using to produce the music?

I'm using a custom Halo 8string Octavia, Fender P-bass, Line 6 podfarm, BFD2, and Pro-tools HD.

15. Anything else you'd like to say?

I've had a great time writing and recording these tunes and I've seen many positive responses on youtube among other sites. I wanted to thank everybody who was involved in the process of getting these songs made (Oscar Zambrano for mastering the songs, Corey Redgrift for playing the keys on Lullaby, Collin Ayers for running the tracking sessions, and Brian Tuey for making it so that I could even do this), thanks to Treyarch and Activision for letting us have some fun, and thank the fans for all the positive feedback.

The One\Lullaby of a Dead Man

So i've seen a lot of questions surrounding the Shi No Numa song, "The One". I figured I'd toss a post up here just to clarify some things...feel free to spread this around when people make comments (mainly because its hard for me to keep up!)

Anyway, here's the long and short of it:

1. Elena Siegman and Kevin Sherwood composed and performed both "The One" and "Lullaby of a Dead Man" for the Nazi Zombies mode.

2. They were recorded and produced at Treyarch Studios...all in house.

3. Elena is a game producer with an amazing voice.

4. Kevin is a graduate from the Berklee school of music and is one of our sound designers at Treyarch. He made a lot of great sounds for Call of Duty: World at War, and composed the kick ass music in Zombies.

5. All of the Perks-a-Cola jingles were also written and performed in house. Craig Houston (Treyarch's lead writer) performs the male vocals with Elena performing the female vocals.

If you notice, we're following a trend with the music. The Death song in Nacht der Orten became "Lullaby of a Dead Man". The Death song in Verruckt became "The One". Hmmm.

Both songs will be released in the near future, most likely on the call of duty website (www.callofduty.com).

I'm going to do an interview with Kevin and Elena this week so if you have any questions for them, post below!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Shi No Numa Character Bio's

Four bad asses unite to save....themselves

So finally, they got the Character Bio's up for Shi No Numa...it was driving me crazy that there were so many misconceptions about the VO thats been released.

Check out the bio's here

You guys are going to have a lot of fun getting to know these guys, and hearing what they have to say about....well, everything :)

Which character do you think will be the most interesting to play?

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Shi No Numa Trailer and info

You guys have probably already seen the trailer, but here's a link in case you haven't:
Trailer - Shi No Numa, "TheOne"

There's a LOT for you guys to discover as you play, both about the characters, the backstory, and the map...all while keeping the Gameplay just as fast paced and frantic as Verruckt (if not moreso).

There will be more information released by Josh Olin (www.callofduty.com)that will go a long way to clearing up just who these four characters are!

Stay tuned.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Wonder Waffles





Man I love the internet. I found the picture above here. Go check out the thread.

Anyway, only a few more days until the world finds out about The DG-2 and Shi No Numa. We're excited to get the trailer out there (and what you've seen thus far is NOT the trailer).

Shi No Numa has a new theme song that is featured in the Trailer that I think is amazing. Elena and Kevin have created a new masterpiece. It seriously kicks ass. Though I guess I'm a little biased ;).

There are a LOT of additions that we're excited about...but sadly I can't say much yet.

Anyway...Can't wait to get this out in the world and put these wonderwaffe DG-2 rumors to rest. You guys seriously think we'd tell you you're getting a new weapon and then just put a light on top of an STG-44? We may as well give you a flying waffle with a cape.

Actually, that might be kinda cool :)