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 renowned composer for video games and burgeoning film scores, delves deep into his career, creative process, and personal influences. From his early work on resurrected classics like Rise of the Triad and Duke Nukem 3D, to his contributions to modern hits like DOOM Eternal and Nightmare Reaper, Hulshult's journey is one of constant learning and evolution.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics:

• Early Career: Hulshult recounts his unexpected entry into the industry, initially unsure of his value, only to discover significant demand after a project ended. He discusses the challenges of navigating industry agreements and the importance of financial stability for artistic longevity.

• Misconceptions about Video Game Music: He addresses the common misconception that video game music is easy, emphasizing the complexities of understanding and respecting a game's established world and design philosophy while still bringing one's unique voice.

• Specific Game Soundtracks: The discussion delves into the creative choices behind his work on ROTT 2013, Bombshell, Dusk, Amid Evil, Nightmare Reaper, and Prodeus, highlighting his ability to adapt his style while maintaining a recognizable signature sound. He reveals interesting anecdotes, such as the whiskey and coffee-fueled late-night sessions for ROTT 2013 and the emotional context behind the Amid Evil DLC soundtrack.

• Gear and Setup: Hulshult details his current guitar setup, including his favored Caparison guitars, Seymour Duncan pickups, and Neural DSP amp modeling software, offering insight into his sonic preferences.

• Working on Iron Lung: He discusses the significant differences between composing for film versus games, highlighting his collaboration with Markiplier and the increased budget allowing for a wider range of musical exploration.

• Chiptune Album, Dusk 82: The interview touches on his foray into chiptune music with Dusk 82, exploring the challenges and rewards of working within the limitations of the genre.

• IDKFA and DOOM Eternal DLC: Hulshult discusses the evolution of his IDKFA project, from a fan-made soundtrack to an official collaboration with id Software for the DOOM Eternal DLC. He shares the excitement and unexpected opportunities this collaboration presented.

• Musical Influences and Preferences: He shares his favorite bands (including Gojira and Metallica) and video game composers (Jesper Kyd), demonstrating a broad range of influences.

• Hypothetical Projects: He speculates on dream projects, expressing interest in composing for a revitalized Duke Nukem game or the unexpectedly chill world of Minecraft. On the film side, he expresses a desire to score a Denzel Washington vehicle.

• Coffee Preferences: The interview concludes with a discussion of his preference for cold brew coffee.

This detailed account provides a comprehensive understanding of Andrew Hulshult's musical journey and insightful perspectives on the art of video game composition. The inclusion of numerous embedded YouTube videos further enhances the reader's experience.