We have a very special Featured Artist this week, the awesome Richaad Bichler. Instead of the usual artwork I feature, this time we’ll be showing off some amazing musical talent. Art comes in many different forms and as long as it involves Nintendo, I’m in! From “Super Mario RPG” to “Chronno Trigger” Richaad covers some of the most awesome video game music and turns it into something even better. So enjoy and subscribe to Rachaad on youtube to see more of his videos.

 

KD: How did you get started playing the guitar? 

RB: I received my first guitar when I was 14 as a begrudging birthday gift from my parents. What motivated me to want to learn how to play was seeing a couple of my friends play for a talent show at school. Apparently, my parents both thought that learning the guitar would be another in a long line of fads that I had only pursued for a week or two before losing interest. For some reason I actually found playing to be really fun, so I just stuck with it and found myself pushing the limits of what I thought I could play pretty frequently.


[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_GAkxkKjto&w=560&h=315]

KD: Have you always played video game covers or is that something you started doing recently?

RB: I started learning, arranging and uploading video game covers in early 2013. Most of what I listened to and learned growing up was progressive and technical metal, so Video Game music just made sense since it simultaneously lends itself towards progressive genres while also being more accessible to a wide audience. I remember seeing all these other people having their own channels and uploading videos regarding something that they’re passionate about, and I just wanted to be part of that. I actually was not aware that there were many other VGM cover musicians on YouTube until I had heard about a medley contest thing being held by another more prominent VGM YouTuber, FamilyJules7x. It turns out that there are quite a few other VGM cover artists doing what they love on YouTube as well, since there was like over 100 entries into this contest.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I73uW3bUXJ8&w=560&h=315]

KD: What inspires you the most when creating music? 

RB: Usually just hearing good music. I usually begin the creative process for a cover arrangement by combining the original track with some crazy genre I have in mind for a cover; it HAS to sound good to me in my head though. I’ve started so many arrangements only to immediately put them on hold because I realized that I wasn’t 100% happy with how the arrangement might turn out. For example, my Corridors of Time cover had actually been an idea in my head since around 2010, but I just was never quite ready to actually make it until earlier this year because I REALLY wanted to do it justice (it’s my absolute favorite VGM track ever). It ended up being this amalgamation of ideas and influences drawing from Born of Osiris, Deafheaven, Liturgy, Polyphia, Opeth and Between the Buried and Me. Somehow it ended up working really well, or at least I like to think.

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQfKfqW2Sog&w=560&h=315]

KD: What other instruments do you play? Do you play the background track by yourself as well?

RB: I really only play Guitar, Bass and Drums. For my covers, I play arrange and play everything myself by playing Guitar and Bass through an interface and cab sim and sequencing the percussion in Superior Drummer. I’ve actually learned quite a bit not only about these instruments, but also audio and video production simply by attempting to outdo myself with each subsequent video in terms of quality. Video Game music has a tendency to be incredibly dense in terms of composition and complexity, and can often take quite a bit of work to learn properly.

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBpm2APATgw&w=560&h=315]

KD: Who are some of the other artists you’ve collaborated with, do you have a favorite?

RB: I’ve collaborated with several other VGM cover artists on YouTube such as Jparecki95. Swiggles1987, ThunderScott6267 and ToxicXEternity. Each collaborative effort is so wildly different from one-another because everyone has different ideas for approaching a track. I couldn’t pick a favorite if I tried; they’ve all been amazing. I’ve got quite a few other collabs lined up for the future as well.

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FJgWlZN0oI?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360]

KD: What is your favorite Nintendo game or series? Why?

RB: It’s difficult to pick just one, but I’d say it’s probably a toss-up between Pokémon and Smash Bros. I’ve sunk so many hours into both series’ and have been pleased with each new iteration that is produced for either. I can’t say the same of any other game series.

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeNnLAVI_fM?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360]

KD: Thanks for the interview Richaad! Its awesome being able to share your music with our readers. Where else can we find updates or info about you and your music?

RB: Absolutely, I’m glad you enjoy my work! Your best bet is to just check out my channel, I try to update at least bi-weekly. I also have a twitter account that I use infrequently for video updates and stuff as well. I might get around to making a facebook page one of these days as well.

https://www.youtube.com/user/RichaadEB
https://twitter.com/RichaadEB

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIZIkWnGMoU?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360]

 

Any artist interested in having their artwork on PureNintendo.com or in PNM can contact me at Kaelyn@purenintendo.com. Submit fan art, sculptures, baked goods, comics, etc. If the theme is ‘Nintendo’ we want to see it! You could be the next Pure Nintendo featured artist! Also to see artwork from artists featured in our magazine, PNM, please head to PureNintendo.com/magazine to subscribe! Thanks for reading.