With Rayman Legends Retold coming up on the imminent release radar (December 3rd), Ivor Novello award winning composer Grant Kirkhope is once again returning to our eardrums to provide yet more aural pleasure.
The legend behind classics such as Goldeneye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Piñata, and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope kindly took a few moments outside of his busy schedule to answer some questions. We chatted about his favourite works, people he’d love to work with, and… of course, Globox.
What have been the most influential albums or composers on your work? Any standouts that you would recommend for any would be composers out there?
I’d say probably the first two Batman scores by Danny Elfman and the three Harry Potter scores that John Williams did.
Who would be another musician that you would love to work with?
John Williams, but it would probably be too scary. Haha!
How does it feel returning to such beloved title like Rayman for Rayman Legends Retold?
Great fun! I loved working on the Rayman DLC from Mario + Rabbids. It was the first time that Christophe Heral and me got to work together, I loved his music.
Looking back on your career, what has been your proudest moment so far?
That’s a hard one! Winning the Ivor Novello Award for Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope was really fantastic, but also moments like when Banjo Kazooie finally got into Super Smash Bros. After so many years had gone by, seeing all the fan reactions with people crying (like I was too!) was so heart warming.
Which of your melodies is still an earworm even to this day?
That’s another tough one, I don’t really find myself thinking about my own music too much, if I had to choose one it would probably be Spiral Mountain.
Given the vast array of music tech available today, what is the one piece of gear that you couldn’t live without?
It’s probably software more than hardware, I’d have to say Pro Tools.
What game series do you admire the soundtrack of most?
That’s easy: Zelda. A link to the Past is still my favourite game of all time. The soundtrack is perfection.
Are there any of your works that you would love to go back to, armed with the knowledge that you have today?
Maybe Goldeneye, I’d make the music a bit longer. Most of the cues are one minute long, which is way too short, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, it was my first game!
Have you beaten the music-based levels in the Rayman games yourself?
Not yet! I mostly had videos so I could see the game play.
If Globox was an instrument, what would he be?
Haha ….. a tuba!
Which of your compositions would you most like to be remembered for?
Jeez… Hmm… It’s probably For the Galaxy from Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, I threw everything at the wall on that one!
Rayman Legends Retold is coming to PC and Consoles on December 3rd. Thanks to Grant for his time.
