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Soundcheck

Friday, March 24, 2006
  • Screenshot from "Warcraft"
    Screenshot from "Warcraft"

    From the Consoles to the Concert Halls

    Concert promoters and record labels are increasingly eager to present music found in popular video games. The video game industry itself is attracting many prominent composers and performers, from Snoop Dogg to Danny Elfman. Today, a look at the growing video game music industry with Tommy Tallarico, the producer of a two-hour video game music concert for orchestras, and a composer of music for many video games. Also with us is Billboard business editor Brian Garrity, and Martin Leung, a.k.a. The Video Game Pianist. Also, a talk with Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation, about recent trends in hip hop. And a live performance by Daryl Sherman and the bandleader Vince Giordano, featuring a musical toast to the twenties and thirties.

Video Game Music

Music for video games has come a long way since the sounds of Pong and Pac-Man. Today, an in-depth look at this thriving business.
» Tommy Tallarico's Web site
» The Video Game Pianist Web site
» Video Games Live

Jeff Chang

Hip-hop journalist Jeff Chang discusses the phenomenon known as Snap.

Daryl Sherman and Vince Giordano

A mutual love of the music of the twenties and thirties unites the singer Daryl Sherman with Vince Giordano.
» Daryl Sherman's Web site

Introducing our Video Contest

Soundcheck

John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.

In Studio: Angel Deradoorian

Soundcheck

The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.

Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico

Soundcheck

Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.

In Studio: Stephanie McKay

Soundcheck

The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.

In Studio: The Decemberists

The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.

Sound Off

Soundcheck

Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.