Hey Hey [Page 1 of 1]

Hey Hey
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2019 1:41 pm

KraigS

KraigS

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Hey hey,

It's Kraig with an embarrassingly long, but complete introduction. Nice one

The best way to describe myself is as the child I was, absorbed in thought.
Other children weren't in my interest, so I wandered and observed a lot; I was acting on my curiosity.
The nice thing about it though was that they wouldn't treat me bad for it, which I'm thankful of.
Friendship just happened on occasion, which I'm grateful of though.

As a SCANDAL fan,
I discovered SCANDAL through the anime Full Metal Alchemist. I started getting interested in the OP's and endings and I ended up searching for the artists behind them and SCANDAL just captured me. Their liveliness, passion, intimacy, gratefulness and attitude felt like a reflection of who I am and who want to be.

Despite being unable to understand Japanese, every single song with or without music video creates a strong interpretation purely through their ability to capture the dynamic of a subject through music.
They aren't afraid of making fun songs like "Hon wo Yomu" and "Pinheel Surfer", and they adapt to their experiences, inspirations and creations quite often instead of focusing on the same style and genre; Something I greatly appreciate as both a visual and auditory artist as I learned to do it myself.
Structurally their music respects every instrument; They each know their role by holding back or going all out according to the context.
Man if I really wanted to, I would write books filled entirely with reviews of every aspect of their songs.
They just have a wildly variant discography and what I would call Classic Scandal, whilst to me every single one feels like Rock and/or the extension of it. To have a favorite SCANDAL song would mean I have to choose, which I just can't.
Also, SCANDAL to me was what helped me deal with rejection, So thank you for this lighthearted happiness.

As a Gamer,
I was 3 years old when i played my first game, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It's also one of my favorite games, but most of the Zelda games are. I owned a GBA, 3DS, N64, PSX, GameCube, Wii and played various genres of games on them. But I slowly became a PC gamer through MMORPGs, mostly free ones though, but also WoW. I kind of lost interest in MMOs due to their grindy nature.
I then started played and modded games like The Elder Scrolls series, the Fallout series and Minecraft. I became addicted to character creating and making stories and fighting strategies for them, basically to the point that every little detail about such a character mattered to me (oh so many names...)
The last few games I played was the Dark Souls series and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate/World. I like myself some difficulty and when it becomes easy, I just challenge myself to use weaker or more creative equipment. not meaning to boast, rather it's also somewhat shameful, but I have above 7K hours of gameplay in the Dark souls series just doing that. At least I got the money out of it more than a few times.

As a Musician,
I started composing digital, mostly synth-based music in 2011, but I always wished to make metal.
I tried to use different guitar-like synths to achieve that, but it was never enough for me.
At some point I decided to use plugins that simulate basses, guitars and drums, but as much as I tried I just couldn't make metal. so to this day I see the legends of metal as wise bearded men playing epic solos on the top of a mountain. Most of my songs from then consist out of unfinished loops or small tracks and some finished songs made in miraculously clear-minded moments..
In 2017 I bought a bass and decided to learn playing bass lines from a game called Castlevania (mostly Circle of the Moon), but classic game music wasn't really an actively growing genre, so I lost interest in it.
In 2018 I discovered SCANDAL and thanks to Tomomi I picked up the bass again. I also discovered that I was more into Rock from the start, rather than Metal despite my love for that which I can't grasp in it. So with my 1,5 year of experience I can play 2 hours of Tomomi's bass lines, not entirely clean however. By playing these songs, I feel like I experience the same joy I imagine Tomomi would be having playing and making them. It's quite sublime, to be able to transfer a feeling so well.
I also started making instrumental Rock combined with my experience with synths. I ended up making 5 complete songs, which is an achievement for myself; I tend to create enormous piles of loops or rather "sketches".

As a Designer,
In 2015 I started studying design on an art academy, in which people are given open assignments as simple (or complex) as "Make a Game" or "Make a House". You are given the freedom to think of any concept, to develop it whilst getting feedback from teachers and meanwhile present it through various media.
At the end of every semester we would have to exhibit all our work neatly, but also creatively.
You're grades depend on the three previously mentioned factors: concept, process, presentation.
Before I went to this school I was already skilled in visual programs like Photoshop, After effects, Illustrator and a 3d program called Cinema 4D, but on this school I learned how to use them to develop a project.
I mainly focused on projects involving music and games; I made a articulate MIDI keyboard, an Amorphous VR space and an event in which you could travel to a subterranean sea with a submarine. (all conceptual of course)
I also made a game, but it was never really finished due to some structural problems.

So In 2018 I wanted to make a new game about the 4 classical elements and combinations of those.
It turned out to be a 2-player board (diameter of 1,5m), dice and card game (100+ cards).
It aimed towards the personality of the player, interpreted through those elements and based on their choices of cards. It was inspired by my love, but also my discontent of video games; many conceptual opportunities aren't taken or even seen in a lot of games, but I saw those mistakes as inspiration.
The tedious process of making this game involved laser-cutting and 3D-printing, however assemblage was the most tedious. I kind of did this to myself, but I had to glue over a thousand of tiny plexiglass pieces smaller than a nail clippings to my 3d prints.
It was worth it though since I got a near perfect grade after half a year's work.
Although this game isn't inspired by SCANDAL, listening to them gave me a constant motivation.

As a Writer,
I just write a lot of things down, from thoughts, to inspiration or sketches for any type of media.
You can probably already see that if your read all these things, however if it's meant for someone else to read, I always feel that I want to tell or explain everything, but that would probably be too boring to read, yet I keep doing it. This results in too many words commas and too few periods.
However for myself, it helps me describe my work, so that I can improve or progress it. Call it a sort of healthy retrospect, or just writing thoughts out of your mind. most of these notes I probably will never read again, but sometimes I archived just the right idea for an assignment.

Lastly,
If you want to work together on some cool project, count me in.
I'm an excellent team-worker and perfectionist.

A side note,
I really wish to learn Japanese, since most of my favorite media from childhood to adulthood are from Japan. That is all the games, classic to modern; All the animes, Dragonball to Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Monogatari; Music from classic games to J-rock.
Japan has simply impressed me from time to time which is enough for me to get closer to the people.

Or maybe I just really want to shake Tomomi's hand and say something better than "arigatou, ore wa beesisto demo/dagga??, Kimi wa the reason watashi picked up the beesu again" (and some more thankful gibberish after that).
Honestly I wouldn't mind messing up so terribly though (see humor). .lol.

*Mind gasping from too many words
Phew, enough about me, have some extra periods for closure...

...

Oh wait, HA...

Nice to meet you guys!!

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Re: Hey Hey
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2019 4:05 pm

tonymiller

tonymiller

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Hi KraigS,

Welcome to SH, and I can honestly say that is the longest introduction I have ever read !

But it is a good idea as it answers all those questions people might want to ask you Happy

I love and admire all the girls but like you Tomomi the most, maybe because I am a bass player too and I have enjoyed watching her get better and better over the years.

And yes I love games too but being old I started way back in the 80's on the Commodore 64 and now I am very fond of the Final Fantasy games and the Elder scroll series, but I miss those games you could play for just an odd 20 minutes at a time, the modern games demand a huge chunk of your life.

Everyone knows the English suck at foreign languages and I am no exception but it has not stopped me falling in love with Japan and it's culture, and yes you can catch the emotion and feeling of a song even if you dont understand the words, rather like Opera really.

But I am not trying to write more than you so I will just say we are a pretty friendly and very mixed bunch and I hope you have fun here.



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Re: Hey Hey
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2019 4:57 pm

joameba

joameba

Indie Artist
Indie Artist
Welcome! 
Zelda is my favourite franchise, which game of it do you prefer? If you still have a 3DS I recommend you to play Virtue's last reward if you didn't, it's a masterpiece.
That game you created seems very interesting, did people like it? (I assume you made people play it hehe)

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Re: Hey Hey
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:10 pm

KraigS

KraigS

Caless Student
Caless Student
Thanks Tonymiller,

Haha, it kinda of feels like i've set a record. Typing much is as much as a strength as a weakness to me, but its probably because I'm more of a listener outside of the internet.

I actually like Tomomi because of my understanding of her instrument (and her personality of course), but I like Mami for her choices in the rhythm of her solos, I tend to use to the rhythm guitar's rhythm too much. It all just sounds so right yet I can't put my finger on it. Alternatively Haruna and Rina's roles are more consistent, and yet they express much freedom within those roles. How do they do it?!

Yeah, I agree with you, but there is a recent uprise in games being turned into randomizers. They generate a different path through the game, whilst maintaining their simplistic gameplay. Pokémon Emerald, a few 2D and 3D zelda games, but also the Dark souls series have these randomizers. The first two being those games you could play for a short session. Give them a try if you'd like.
Ah and how did I forget Final Fantasy, such a wonderful series. I used to play FF8 and Crystal Chronicles when I was younger.

Actually, English is actually my second language, but those childhood games taught me almost all of my vocabulary. I'm actually getting worse at Dutch...
I know a slight bit of French, so perhaps I could say something to Rina in French Happy
I guess Japanese is kind of like opera as it ends seems to contain more vowels in each sylable, and its so adaptive to the rhythm.

Ha yeah, I've been actively reading the forum for a while.
I've seen you in a couple of posts so it feels like I kinda know you already Tongue
Anyways, this is one of the most respectful and kind communities I've been across.
So cheers to the members here. Kanpai!

(hehe I just can't stop typing)

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Re: Hey Hey
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:15 pm

tonymiller

tonymiller

International Performer
International Performer
@KraigS

Well my wife says I never use one word when a hundred will do so best not get me started Happy

And I did French and Latin at school but I have forgotten most of it, that is what happens if you dont use a language.



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Re: Hey Hey
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:38 pm

KraigS

KraigS

Caless Student
Caless Student
Thanks Joameba,

I really can't choose between Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask really, but Ocarina was the reason I wanted to play more games. A game that leaves such a strong first impression, It has to be my favorite. Majora's Mask could've been the one too as story-wise it speaks to your emotions so well. Man time travel feels are the strongest ones.

No doubt Virtue's Last Reward seems good, but I guess I'll watch a stream or let's play. I'm on a similar line as Tony, I just don't have so much time for story-based games. The dialogue seems to have a lot of attention though, a fine choice for a handheld; It's almost like its a game inside a book. It seems like Zero Time Dilemma.. oh it's actually the same series, wow.

Haha, the game was still in a prototype phase, but it only needed some tweaks to decrease the play time and some quality of life improvements.
One game for two players shouldn't last 4 hours really, setting it up even took at least an hour. My brother, a long-time gamer like myself, played it with me and it was really obvious that the 4 hours of calculating was quite the brain training. I couldn't believe a game could tire you so much. Most students in my class aren't gamers though, so they were even more perplexed by it; They didn't even dare to play it.
Teachers had to play it at least for a bit though, KEKEKE .evilgrin.
I would continue it after a year or so, but it was quite expensive. so unless someone would support me in bringing this game in the world, I just can't afford it.

If you want, just tell me and I could show you a picture as reference though, it kinda looks like a wedding cake.

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Re: Hey Hey
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2019 6:06 pm

KraigS

KraigS

Caless Student
Caless Student
@tonymiller

Oh no, those words are like an invitation for me, but I just read about the spam regulation here, so I'm afraid I'll reach my posting limit.

Hmm, but that gap between the Netherlands and England isn't so big right?

One moment, I'll just fly over and we'll be talking like magpies (dutch saying)
.common. jk, but I would like to visit England one day. I'll finish studying first.

Absolutely right about the languages though.

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Re: Hey Hey
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2019 6:35 pm

Don Dio

Don Dio

International Performer
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Hello KraigS,

Welcome to the forum.  Don't worry about being long-winded in your writing.  I suffer from that disease, too.

I'm with you on your assessment on Scandal.  I also could write a book on all the intricacies I hear and feel with each song of theirs.  I would have to go back in time about 40 years to when I first heard The Who or Van Halen to equate the sensation they have over me, both in the music and as individuals.

Sorry to say I'm not into video games, but there are a lot of folks on this site that are to chat with.  I am fortunate to watch movies for a living, so the last thing I want to do when I get home is sit in front of a TV.  I spend most of my time spinning records and playing guitar.  Thanks to Scandal, I've been studying Japanese the last two years.  My advice to you is if you want to learn this, start soon.  I think I need at least another two years to get it right in my head.

To paraphrase what Tony Miller said, I think you may have provided us the most in depth intro ever on this site.  I guess all to ask you now is: what did you have for breakfast?

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Re: Hey Hey
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:39 pm

KraigS

KraigS

Caless Student
Caless Student
Thanks @Don Dio,

The amount words I use to explain things probably increased lately due to my study requiring constant documentation and analysis. I guess that approach sneaked its way into social encounters now. It just feels incomplete when I'm brief :S

Haha, before Scandal, Game music was the only music I actually regularly listened to. Hearing from people who experienced music from that golden age of experimentation and art movements, makes me feel a bit inexperienced.
Today's art is just a bit cloudy I think, but in a sense that you have to look/listen critically to separate creators from mimics and frequent affections from rare anomalies.
Despite my knowledge of some legends, I think its sad they lost their auditory exposure and are mostly spoken of instead, However I just decided to listen Van Halen's best of volume 1. I knew the song eruption, but damn... you don't hear those solo intros anymore. I'm still listening attentively to the album with a refreshed perception, Thanks again.

You're right though, Anime and Games made it a wish, but if Scandal isn't the last drop to convince me I wouldn't know what. I'll just have to create some gaps in my study, there is enough Japanese content in my life to keep the language active in my head too.

Oh~ questions from and to me are the cause of my lengthy explanations.
I find it hard to not answer seriously, whatever the nature of the question,
but I could at least answer briefly for a change (which I failed already). .clap.

Muesli with Milk

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Re: Hey Hey
Posted Sun Mar 10, 2019 5:16 pm

Matsui

Matsui

Caless Student
Caless Student
https://forest-of-thoughts-and-images.tumblr.com/
Hey KraigS,

eindelijk weer eens iemand uit Nederland.
Welkom.
Dit moet de langste introductie hier zijn.
Mooi verhaal Wink
Ik ben doorgaans iets minder lang van stof hoor :p

To all others; that was Dutch for Hello and welcome :D

I think we will be bumping into each other at Japanese orientated concerts pretty soon.

I am not much of a gamer myself. I only play the assassins creed series and No mans sky on my Xbox1

I am active as a musician though. I play guitar but mainly i make and produce (electronic)music.
Dutch club/trance style and some experimental stuff. Soundtrack like. Practically the only subject i can't seem to shut up about.
Music is really my life.
Scandal is my top favorite band ever, and from there on i am still exploring all the great music japan has to offer.
Very fortunate to have seen Scandal, Baby metal, Bandmaid and Lovebites already.

So again welcome @SH.

Hashimemashite  Nice one



Freedomfighter
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Re: Hey Hey
Posted Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:56 pm

KraigS

KraigS

Caless Student
Caless Student
Hey @Matsui,

Leuk om eens een Nederlander te vinden in een Japanese-based community.
Haha, Ik zit nog zelfs op een kunstacademie, en daar moeten ze al niks van anime/manga hebben.

Dutch for: I'm glad there's someone familiar, in a country kinda unfamiliar with Japan.

Guess I haven't searched hard enough yet, but one is fine.
I'm still kinda in the closet in a sense that I haven't attended to any events yet.
I am just so bummed that I missed the Yellow tour; I been there had I discovered Scandal earlier.

Ah, but I see we have similar musical roots. .common.
I like how many sub genres trance has, especially progressive-, psy- or goa trance.
I too have produced a lot of Electronic music, but I switched to rock/metal when I started playing bass. I still like to mix in some synths from my past music style.


Yeah, Scandal's diversity, I'd call it creative guts, puts them on my number 1 too.

By the way, If you'd like to meet IRL sometime, Perhaps we could arrange a little jam or talk some Scandal for example. However, I haven't the slightest idea about Japanese events here, but I guess living in Enschede doesn't help with that..
Can't wait for Scandal's next EU tour though. (or the moment I can go to Japan)
I wouldn't mind Bandmaid (or the other bands you mentioned), but I would like "immerse" myself into them a bit more before that, since I only know a few of their songs.

Kinda late reply though, but nice to meet you too Nice one

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