Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A conversation about all things game music with composer, Richard Jacques!
Games covered:
Jet Set Radio
Jet Set Radio Future
James Bond 007: Blood Stone
Headhunter
Mass Effect
Guardians of the Galaxy
A conversation about all things game music with composer, Richard Jacques!
Games covered:
Jet Set Radio
Jet Set Radio Future
James Bond 007: Blood Stone
Headhunter
Mass Effect
Guardians of the Galaxy
![SOUND TEST 2 - #04 - Plants vs. Zombies (w/Laura Shigihara & Peter McConnell) [COMPOSER INTERVIEW]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QsMNElPByuo/mqdefault.jpg "SOUND TEST 2 - #04 - Plants vs. Zombies (w/Laura Shigihara & Peter McConnell) [COMPOSER INTERVIEW]
Popcap are probably best known for a string of browser and mobile games that helped define their respective genres. Among their most successful series is Plants vs. Zombies, which has spawned several spin-offs and sequels since it first released in 2009.
It was also one of the games that established Laura Shigihara as a formidable musical talent. She provided such accomplished work to the game that Peter McConnell, who took over composing duties from PVZ2, has kept it firmly in mind for every sequel since. Because of that, the series has carved out its own distinctive feel, and one that expertly matches the cartoonish fun on screen.
In this episode, following on from her first short appearance in this series’ Minecraft episode, Laura Shigihara returns to the show for her first of two lengthier conversations. Additionally, Peter McConnell makes his Sound Test debut ahead of an expansive LucasArts podcast in 2020. In this Plants vs. Zombies special, the three of us explore what makes the franchise’s music stick out, and fit so well with the madcap world around it.
Lee Tyrrell on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/GreenT128
Laura Shigihara on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/supershigi
Peter McConnell on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/PeterNMcConnell
Now available through:
Audioboom
https://audioboom.com/posts/7427936-st2-04-plants-vs-zombies-w-laura-shigihara-peter-mcconnell
iTunes
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-test/id1418674203?mt=2
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/0nt97mhg0PgE3pqUmDXmhC
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-sound-test?refid=stpr
and many more...
Support, early access, unedited interviews, backdated LIVE shows and more:
http://patreon.com/_secretcave")
![The Sound Test LIVE - 20/03/20 [Weekly VGM Radio & Podcast]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/T5ex6FZZwyE/mqdefault.jpg "The Sound Test LIVE - 20/03/20 [Weekly VGM Radio & Podcast]
Alongside the usual chatter, this episode takes a look at some of the games that first inspired regular listeners to get into VGM. There are some great choices!
Including:
SFX Showdown
VGM SongFight (BACKSTORY: https://twitter.com/GreenT128/status/1191119218038706176)
Quickfire News
This weeks playlist:
Oil Panic – ??? (originally composed by Yoko Mizuta and/or Jin Sugita) [Game & Watch Gallery]
Undercaves – Spencer Nilsen, Brian Coburn and/or Andras Magyari [Ecco the Dolphin]
Dark Cave – Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose and/or Morikazu Aoki [Pokemon Gold and Silver]
Main Theme (Acoustic Remix) – Jason Graves [Fat Chicken]
Home to Me – Jason Graves & Malukah [Moss]
Time to Run – London Philharmonic Orchestra (composed by Nathan McCree) [The Tomb Raider Suite]
The Last Revelation Theme – Peter Connelly [Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation]
Dungeon Crawler Baller (Sid Synthwave Remix) – 8 Bit Weapon [8 Bit Weapon]
Zero G – Philip Sheppard [Moon Machines Vol. 1]
Detroit: Become Human TRAILER (w/Nima Fakhrara)
I’d Rather Be Alone – Thornetta Davis [Detroit: Become Human]
We’re Dunk Lords – Laura Shigihara & Andy Hull [Dunk Lords]
Undercurrent – Jami Sieber [Braid]
Black Tile – Siddhartha Barnhoorn [Antichamber]
Title – Mike Richmond [Luma]
In-Game – Mike Richmond [Luma]
Memories of Green – The New American Orchestra (originally composed by Vangelis) (Blade Runner – Orchestral Adaptation)
MAIN THEME:
Mahito Yokota, Toru Minegishi, Koji Kondo & Yasuake Iwata - World 8 [Super Mario 3D World]
Requests and contact:
https://twitter.com/GreenT128
The Sound Test on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thesoundtest/
Original episodes of The Sound Test LIVE, with Dale Fowler, are available through Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/_secretcave
Also available through:
Audioboom
https://audioboom.com/posts/7536955-live-20-03-20-weekly-vgm-radio-podcast
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/0nt97mhg0PgE3pqUmDXmhC
iTunes
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-test/id1418674203?mt=2
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-sound-test?refid=stpr")
![THE SOUND TEST #07 - Portal (w/Mike Morasky, Jonathan Coulton and Ellen McLain) [COMPOSER INTERVIEW]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TBc_tpyoka0/mqdefault.jpg "THE SOUND TEST #07 - Portal (w/Mike Morasky, Jonathan Coulton and Ellen McLain) [COMPOSER INTERVIEW]
With only two games, the Portal series has still managed a gigantic impact on players. Its inventive puzzles are addictive, just like the acerbic jibes of the titles main antagonist, GLaDOS. Behind it all, synth-laden drones and melodic narratives help immerse you into the haunting madhouse of Aperture Science. Its soundtrack was composed primarily by Mike Morasky, who joins me for an exhaustive journey through Portals audio. I also spoke to Jonathan Coulton, who wrote famed end-credits tracks like Still Alive and Ellen McLain, the voice of GLaDOS herself. Together, we leave no stone unturned.
Lee Tyrrell on Twitter
(https://twitter.com/GreenT128)
Mike Morasky on Twitter
(https://twitter.com/MikeMorasky)
Jonathan Coulton on Twitter
(https://twitter.com/jonathancoulton)
Ellen McLain on Twitter
(https://twitter.com/EllenMcLain)
Also available on:
iTunes
(https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-test/id1418674203?mt=2)
Spotify
(https://open.spotify.com/show/0nt97mhg0PgE3pqUmDXmhC)
Audioboom
(https://audioboom.com/posts/6982922-portal-w-mike-morasky-jonathan-coulton-and-ellen-mclain)
Twitch
(https://www.twitch.tv/videos/306790530)
Stitcher
(https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-sound-test?refid=stpr)
…and many more!
Pledge to my Patreon to help support The Sound Test, and next years second series.
(https://www.patreon.com/_secretcave)")
![ST2 - #15 - LucasArts: iMUSE (w/George Sanger, Clint Bajakian & Peter McConnell) [INTERVIEW/PODCAST]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Tr9Ds0xPZT0/mqdefault.jpg "ST2 - #15 - LucasArts: iMUSE (w/George Sanger, Clint Bajakian & Peter McConnell) [INTERVIEW/PODCAST]
This final part of my LucasArts trilogy takes an in-depth look at the innovative iMUSE system. iMUSE was instrumental to the development of dynamic and interactive music through the 90s, and I welcome back Peter McConnell and Clint Bajakian to discuss its impact. Im also pleased to present more insight from the incomparable George Sanger, who wrote dynamic soundtracks for games like Capture the Flag and Wing Commander (before the creation of iMUSE). Along the way, all three guests take an extended look at PC sound chips, and how they evolved across the digital audio revolution.
Im very pleased to present this jam-packed conclusion to a long and rewarding series of LucasArts podcasts. Its been some time in the making, but Im back! Expect more Sound Test documentaries in the future, including further insight from George and Clint. My next episode will concentrate on the music of thatgamecompany, with their principle composers - Vincent Diamante and Austin Wintory.
Lee Tyrrell on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/GreenT128
George Sanger on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TheMightyFatMan
Peter McConnell on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/PeterNMcConnell
Also available through:
Audioboom
https://audioboom.com/posts/8153728-st2-15-lucasarts-part-3-imuse-w-george-sanger-clint-bajakian-peter-mcconnell-composer
iTunes
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-test/id1418674203?mt=2
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/0nt97mhg0PgE3pqUmDXmhC
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-sound-test?refid=stpr
and many more...
Early access, unedited interviews, LIVE shows and more:
http://patreon.com/_secretcave
#VGM #VideoGameMusic #LucasArts #SoundTest #iMUSE")
