Game OST, a Russian game soundtrack website, has tracked down and interviewed Mark Morgan. Call me surprised, because many have been looking for him for some time, including us, but never managed to get in touch with him. Oh well, go figure that the Russians would do it...<blockquote>G-OST: There’re rumors that you had only a couple of weeks to create music for Planescape: Torment. Is that so? Then we’re curious about Fallout soundtrack A what was the timeframe and when did you start working on the project? Was it the very beginning or later? We know’ you’r e tired and wanna leave this all already, but we have to continue, Mr. Morgan. The same questions for Fallout 2…
Mark: Yes, on all three games I began late in the process... “Planescape” was a quick turnaround as you suggest. I did it in about 2 weeks. I don’t know why, but the game was pretty much completed before they decided who was to do the music. On “Fallout” they had another composer to begin with, but for unknown reasons, Charles Deenen called me to work on it and it too was a fast turnaround. Composing time for “Fallout 2” was also truncated. I believe the game was essentially complete by the time I became involved and they were in a hurry to get it out.
(...)
G-OST: Bethesda Softworks currently developing Fallout 3 keeps silence regarding main composer’s name. Atmosphere goes really hot around this. It’s even been rumors that Jeremy Soule is in charge, what caused hard civil commotion, but then he announced that he’s out of game. Most of people, including us (we can be fired saying this) believe that you’re ideal and only person to take over this position. Additionally, investigators found out that your profile at www.gsamusic.com contains Fallout 3 reference. It’s your chance to unbosom yourself - is that true or another misinformation created to conceal your life, Mr. Morgan?
Mark: Thanks for the kind words, I would love to do that game, but I have not been asked. I’m hopeful after doing the other two “Fallout” games and other projects over the years, I could take “Fallout 3” to another level musically. As far as the www.gsamusic site, it’s obviously a misprint.
(...)
G-OST: Fallout 3 official site met the visitors with concept art and quite energetic symphonic track. It was almost shocking to hear this… ‘cause Fallout always associated with dark ambient and ethnic elements impregnation. How do you imagine Fallout 3 soundtrack? Haven’t you and Tim had an idea to make Fallout 1-2 music more symphonic?
Mark: Like I said earlier, I would take “Fallout 3” to a much more modern place, while honoring a lot of the elements of the earlier games. Maybe heavier, more ethnic, more rhythmic, it could be a hybrid with some orchestral elements. Just nothing traditional. As I recall, Tim and I never discussed anything orchestral. Now that you’ve brought this to my attention, it would be exciting to be involved with the new game.
G-OST: Fallout soundtrack is impossible to find. The same goes for Planescape: T orment. Giants: Citizen Kabuto is a little more widespread. We’re speaking of CD Audio, of course, not the .mp3 files. Have you ever thought of releasing this music officially? Y our music is a cult, you dominate people’s minds (have a look at Last FM statistics) and this idea could make you even more powerful, Mr. Morgan.
Mark: Vladislav has been asking me about this, but I can’t seem to locate many of the original tracks. The games were being written and formatted to the games in short timeframes, so I don’t know where some of the original masters went. I’m hoping they are in some of my older files, and I am definitely trying to locate them. I will let you know because I would like to make them available.</blockquote>They also note this:<blockquote>Recent news: Fallout Soundtrack as well as other Mark works will be published by Aural Network Industries (auralnetwork.com) label. Specially for this, all the tracks will be carefully remastered. In addition to this Mark is planning to compose his original solo album in close collaboration with Scann-Tec. Watch the news...</blockquote>Link: Mark Morgan Interview on Game OST.
Mark: Yes, on all three games I began late in the process... “Planescape” was a quick turnaround as you suggest. I did it in about 2 weeks. I don’t know why, but the game was pretty much completed before they decided who was to do the music. On “Fallout” they had another composer to begin with, but for unknown reasons, Charles Deenen called me to work on it and it too was a fast turnaround. Composing time for “Fallout 2” was also truncated. I believe the game was essentially complete by the time I became involved and they were in a hurry to get it out.
(...)
G-OST: Bethesda Softworks currently developing Fallout 3 keeps silence regarding main composer’s name. Atmosphere goes really hot around this. It’s even been rumors that Jeremy Soule is in charge, what caused hard civil commotion, but then he announced that he’s out of game. Most of people, including us (we can be fired saying this) believe that you’re ideal and only person to take over this position. Additionally, investigators found out that your profile at www.gsamusic.com contains Fallout 3 reference. It’s your chance to unbosom yourself - is that true or another misinformation created to conceal your life, Mr. Morgan?
Mark: Thanks for the kind words, I would love to do that game, but I have not been asked. I’m hopeful after doing the other two “Fallout” games and other projects over the years, I could take “Fallout 3” to another level musically. As far as the www.gsamusic site, it’s obviously a misprint.
(...)
G-OST: Fallout 3 official site met the visitors with concept art and quite energetic symphonic track. It was almost shocking to hear this… ‘cause Fallout always associated with dark ambient and ethnic elements impregnation. How do you imagine Fallout 3 soundtrack? Haven’t you and Tim had an idea to make Fallout 1-2 music more symphonic?
Mark: Like I said earlier, I would take “Fallout 3” to a much more modern place, while honoring a lot of the elements of the earlier games. Maybe heavier, more ethnic, more rhythmic, it could be a hybrid with some orchestral elements. Just nothing traditional. As I recall, Tim and I never discussed anything orchestral. Now that you’ve brought this to my attention, it would be exciting to be involved with the new game.
G-OST: Fallout soundtrack is impossible to find. The same goes for Planescape: T orment. Giants: Citizen Kabuto is a little more widespread. We’re speaking of CD Audio, of course, not the .mp3 files. Have you ever thought of releasing this music officially? Y our music is a cult, you dominate people’s minds (have a look at Last FM statistics) and this idea could make you even more powerful, Mr. Morgan.
Mark: Vladislav has been asking me about this, but I can’t seem to locate many of the original tracks. The games were being written and formatted to the games in short timeframes, so I don’t know where some of the original masters went. I’m hoping they are in some of my older files, and I am definitely trying to locate them. I will let you know because I would like to make them available.</blockquote>They also note this:<blockquote>Recent news: Fallout Soundtrack as well as other Mark works will be published by Aural Network Industries (auralnetwork.com) label. Specially for this, all the tracks will be carefully remastered. In addition to this Mark is planning to compose his original solo album in close collaboration with Scann-Tec. Watch the news...</blockquote>Link: Mark Morgan Interview on Game OST.
