If you’ve ever played any Konami’sSilent Hillseries of games or have even heard a bit of their soundtracks, then you might expect that series director and composer Akira Yamaoka to be some strange, scary, and maybe even demented person. That’s why I was pleased to find out that he was quite the opposite during our interview session at this year’s E for All Expo.
Yamaoka took time out from signing autographs and meeting American fans to talk to Destructoid aboutSilent Hill’smusic, his involvement with the upcoming new games, a naughty brand slip-up, and even a bit about hotSilent Hillmovie nurses.
Hit the jump to read our interview with Akira Yamaoka.
Destructoid: We know that a couple of new projects,Silent Hill5 andSilent Hill Origins, are on their way, and we are looking forward to those titles. Please tell us about your involvement in these projects beyond the musical duties.
Yamaoka: Because I composed the music for past Silent Hill series games, I’m responsible for all songs having that “Silent Hill feeling.” As you might know,Silent Hill 5andSilent Hillorigins are being developed in the United States. My main job is to oversee these projects, and make sure they’reSilent Hillmaterial.
You originally insisted that you’re the only person who could makeSilent Hill’smusic and sound. We agree, but do you ever see yourself handing over the duties, or is that always going to be your thing?
Well… umm….how do I say this?[Yamaoka ponders for awhile]That might happen ifSilent Hill[pause]“changes.” That is the time when I would consider it.[laughs]
How do you feel that creating theSilent Hillsoundtrack over the last decade has changed you as a musician?
When I started working in game music, I had an idea, and I wanted to break the old school game music sound. I wanted to make something new musically. At the time, the ideas I expressed were actuallySilent Hillideas, and working on the game gave me a chance to demonstrate what I had been thinking about video game music, letting me do something past the very similar game music concepts of the past.
I didn’t expect to be an artist beyond game music. Now it’s really great to know thatSilent Hillfans worldwide, as well as those that have heard the soundtracks, think of me as an artist. I did not expect this, but it’s really, really great.
What do you think about the live performance of your music in video game concerts like PLAY! or something like Video Games Live? We know that you performedSilent Hill 2’s“Theme of Laura” at PLAY! in Stockholm and Chicago. Do you think you’ll be performing at more events like this in America?
Yes, I want to do it!
We want you to, too.
Good! I want to do something similar. It was really an eye-opening thing for me to see this new aspect of game music, and I definitely want to do something else like this.
The last couple ofSilent Hillgames have included vocal pieces likeSilent Hill 4’s“Tender Sugar.” They’re great songs. Do you think we’ll see vocal theme songs in the upcoming series’ titles?
I aim to do something similar to “Tender Sugar,” and would like to do more like that in the future. That song came from me when I tried to write something “heavy.”
[whispers]Guitar Hero.[laughs]
That would be nice. It would be nice to see someSilent Hilltracks inGuitar Hero.
Yeah, but we’re Konami, so…[laughs]
Yes, I know.[giggling]After I said that I thought to myself that maybe I should have saidGuitar Freaksinstead. Yeah, I meantGuitar Freaks…Hey, you saidGuitar Herofirst!
[laughs]That’s true.
If you had to pick anySilent Hillenemy to be your personal bodyguard, who would you pick? Oh, and you can’t pick Pyramid Head.
[laughter]Hmm. This might be a little pervy, but the Nurse… but from theSilent Hillmovie!
I’d rather have the movie ones, too.
It’s kind of erotic, but still untouchable because it’s scary, so maybe it might fit as a bodyguard.[laughs]
Lastly, do you have any plans to score any games outside of theSilent Hillworld any time soon?
I will be. I can’t give you details now.
I figured as much, but I wanted to try anyway.
Those that like and know my music will be able to pick this out once they play or hear the game. You’ll definitely be able to tell it’s me.
Thanks to Mr. Yamaoka and Konami for this interview.
