When was the last time that you played a video game? When you played, did you pay attention to the music that set the stage for the action – in the video trailer, the demo screens or even in the action itself?
I recently learned that companies such as Xbox and Nintendo Games actually use sound clips from bands that they find in cities all over the world – including Buffalo. One such Buffalo band, The Spin Wires, can be heard on a Playstation released video that is blowing up on Youtube. I spoke to musician Tyson Prince of The Spin Wires about this music-meets-gaming phenomenon:
How did you hook up with Xbox and Nintendo to begin with?
We do not work directly with Xbox and Nintendo but with third-party game developers who have a relationship with these video game companies. The main way we hook up with the developers is through developer communities and social media. It’s really something that would have been impossible for a band in Buffalo, NY ten years ago but thanks to the internet we can reach out and network with these different companies. Further, there are a lot more small to mid-sized video game developers out there that are more open to branching out from generic video game music and want to try something unique or memorable, and I think that’s where, for the right title, our music comes in.
For example, we have been working with EclipseGames – a great Spanish Developer, on licensing music in their game “Super Toy Cars” a racing title that is currently in Beta on Steam and is scheduled for a May release on the Nintendo Wii U and Xbox. So far the beta reviews have been very positive on the game and on our music.
Are there other opportunities down the road with this relationship?
Sure, we hope to continue licensing our music and expanding our fanbase. The two bigger titles that we have licensed are music in are EcpliseGames’ “Super Toy Cars”, (above) and Beatshaper’s “ZRUN*” which is a Zombie Thriller game (below) for the PSP Vita Game (SONY’s press release). Further, we recently partnered with a wonderful publishing company called Lyric House Publishing, which is based out of Denver, Colorado. They present us with different licensing opportunities for commercials, TV, and video games.
How do you work the licensing end of this?
For some of the games we are currently licensed in, we generally receive either royalties from sales or a upfront amount that the band and developer negotiate. It’s been a great experience for us and we think it really creates a fun and unique musical atmosphere for the musical titles. Further, it helps our exposure as people have told us that they found our band from the music being in a video game.
As a band, where do you guys play locally? Do you have a gig coming up anywhere in the city?
We play out locally and it’s always a ton of fun. One of our favorite places to play is Mister Goodbar, we have a show coming up Friday, May 9th at Goodbar on Elmwood. However, if anyone is impatient and wants to check us out now, we also have a very active youtube channel, and we regularly put out fun original music videos and genre defying covers – www.youtube.com/thespinwires. Also see our Facebook page.
Band Members:
Tyson Prince – Guitar and Vocals
RJ Porter – Guitar and Vocals
Joe Grasso – Drum
Anything else?
If readers wants to learn more they can find our music streaming on www.spinwires.com.
*Playstation released a video trailer to its over 2 million youtube subscribers with The Spin Wires playing during the trailer.