Andrew Hulshult 2024 Interview: DOOM IDKFA, Blood Swamps, DUSK, Iron Lung, AMID EVIL, Music, Guitars, Cold Brew Coffee, and More

This extensive interview with Andrew Hulshult, a prominent video game composer, delves into his career, creative process, and musical influences. From his early work on projects like Rise of the Triad (2013) and Duke Nukem 3D Reloaded, to his contributions to high-profile titles such as DOOM Eternal DLC and Nightmare Reaper, Hulshult discusses the evolution of his style and the challenges of composing for video games.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics:

• Early Career: Hulshult recounts his unexpected entry into the industry, initially unaware of his growing demand. He reflects on the learning curve, navigating contracts, and the importance of financial stability for sustaining a creative career.

• Misconceptions about Video Game Music: He addresses the common misconception that video game music is easy, emphasizing the complexity of understanding game design philosophies, respecting existing works, and effectively communicating creative visions.

• Specific Game Soundtracks: The interview delves into the creative processes behind soundtracks for ROTT 2013, Bombshell, Nightmare Reaper, Prodeus, and Amid Evil, including anecdotes about creative choices, collaborations, and personal experiences influencing his work. He reveals the unique challenges of composing for Amid Evil's DLC amidst a family emergency, and the collaborative spirit behind the DOOM Eternal DLC soundtrack.

• Musical Influences and Style: Hulshult discusses his metal influences, the evolution of his style beyond metal, and the importance of maintaining a dynamic and engaging soundtrack for each game. He addresses concerns about being typecast, highlighting his versatility and willingness to experiment with different genres and sounds.

• Gear and Equipment: He details his current guitar setup, including his preferred guitars, pickups, strings, amps, and effects pedals. He also discusses his transition to primarily using digital audio workstations and plugins for recording and mixing.

• The Iron Lung Soundtrack: He briefly touches upon his experience composing for the Iron Lung movie soundtrack, highlighting the differences between composing for film and games, and his collaboration with Markiplier.

• Chiptune Album Dusk 82: He discusses his experience creating a chiptune remix album for Dusk, reflecting on the unique challenges and creative opportunities presented by this format.

• Remastering and Revisiting Past Works: He discusses the process of revisiting and remastering his earlier work, specifically the IDKFA soundtrack for DOOM, and the challenges and rewards of updating older material.

• Favorite Artists and Bands: He shares his favorite musical artists and bands, both within and outside the video game industry, explaining his appreciation for their unique styles and creative approaches.

• Hypothetical Projects: He speculates on the games and movies he would most like to compose for, given unlimited time and resources.

• Coffee Preferences: He concludes the interview by sharing his preference for cold brew coffee.

The interview is interspersed with embedded YouTube videos showcasing Hulshult's music from various games. The images remain in their original format.