All In The Game:
Kole Hicks
Contact Kole Hicks via http://kolemusician.com
He relocated from Indiana to attend Musicians Institute in Hollywood as a guitarist, but today Kole Hicks is a rising composer and sound designer for videogames, currently providing all of the music and sound to the unique squad based strategy RPG, Kenshi, and the dark fantasy MOBA, Jeklynn Heights. In the recent past he has created all of the music and sound for Bag it! (a hit mobile game reaching No. 1 on the app store charts). And he still enjoys gigging with rock bands.
MC: Did you grow up playing video games?
KH: I loved playing video games and watching movies. Early on I understood the importance of the music role in defining the mood and establishing the overall feel and emotional palette. I would analyze the music behind the films and games and understand the language, which helped me figured out to speak it on my own. It was a combination of practicing a ton and being super inspired and passionate with music for media. I went to a GDC (Game Developer Conference) in 2009 and it really introduced me to do music with games
MC: How do you stay in the loop for projects and information?
KH: I always go to different forums and website and shows to learn as much about not only the music but the games and films, because as a composer its also nice to make the other guy’s job easier and it helps secures your gig if you can understand where they come from.
MC: How important is networking?
KH: You have to meet as many people as you can to let them know what you’re doing. I’ve been getting a lot of work recently from recommendations and referrals.
MC: You graduated from Musicians Institute. How helpful was that in your career?
KH: I am a strong believer that while you are studying you should be trying to get work going. Take advantage of that time and meet as much people as you can so that you can get the work immediately after so you don’t have to work a part-time job because the music industry is so competitive.
MC: In listening to your music for Pixal Piracy, we can hear a number of interesting instruments, including the cello and pennywhistle. Do you have the budgets for live players?
KH: I love to use live musicians for recording. Sometimes I will play a version of the music with samples, and then the same music with live instruments. It usually results in an increased budget for live players.
