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 video game composer, delves into his career, creative process, and musical influences. From his early work on projects like Rise of the Triad (2013) and Bombshell to his more recent contributions to DOOM Eternal DLC and Nightmare Reaper, Hulshult discusses the challenges and rewards of composing for video games.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including:

• His career trajectory: Hulshult recounts his unexpected rise to prominence after leaving 3D Realms, detailing the lessons learned and the evolving demands of the industry. He emphasizes the importance of balancing artistic vision with financial stability for long-term success.
• Misconceptions about video game music: He addresses the common misconception that video game music is easy, highlighting the complexities of understanding game design philosophies, collaborating with developers, and effectively conveying emotions within a pre-existing game world.
• Specific game soundtracks: He provides insightful commentary on his work for Rise of the Triad (2013), Bombshell, Nightmare Reaper, Prodeus, Amid Evil (including its DLC), and DOOM Eternal DLC. He shares anecdotes about the creative process, challenges faced, and the unique approaches taken for each project. He reveals that the Amid Evil DLC soundtrack was heavily influenced by a personal family emergency, adding emotional depth to the composition. The discussion also touches upon the surprising popularity of "Blood Swamps" from the DOOM Eternal DLC and the challenges of its limited availability.
• His musical equipment and techniques: Hulshult details his current guitar setup, pedals, amplifiers, and string gauges, offering a glimpse into his preferred tools and techniques. He discusses his use of Neural DSP plugins and his preference for in-the-box mixing.
• His influences and favorite artists: He shares his appreciation for bands like Gojira and Metallica, as well as video game composers like Jesper Kyd.
• His approach to composition: Hulshult explains his creative process, emphasizing the importance of understanding the game's atmosphere and pacing, and the constant challenge of pushing his own musical boundaries.
• His work on the Iron Lung film soundtrack: He discusses the differences between composing for film and games, his collaboration with Markiplier, and the impact of a larger budget on his creative process.
• His chiptune album, Dusk 82: He discusses his experience creating this unique album and expresses interest in potentially creating chiptune remakes of other soundtracks.

The interview concludes with a discussion of Hulshult's daily routine, his thoughts on recent Metallica albums, a favorite piece of music memorabilia, and his coffee preferences. This detailed account offers a comprehensive overview of the life and work of a highly influential figure in video game music.