The Garden Path
Image: Louis Durrant

Throughout the Nintendo Life Video Game Music Festival we're speaking to a range of composers and musicians for a mixture of in-depth interviews and shorter, sharper (and perhaps a little goofier) Q&As where we ask just ten rapid-fire personal questions; we're calling these shorter features 'Quick Beats'.

Today we're speaking to Louis Durrant, the solo developer, illustrator, and composer of upcoming game The Garden Path, which recently wrapped up its Kickstarter. We've already interviewed Louis about what it's like to be spinning so many plates, as well as taking musical inspiration from Final Fantasy and Hollow Knight, so now it's time to find out the answers to some slightly less serious questions...

What was the first song or album you remember buying?

Arcade Fire's 'The Suburbs'.

What was the last music you listened to?

Young Thug's Tiny Desk.

What was the very first video game you wrote music for, and how do you feel listening back now?

'Crossing to the Cold Valley'. It's still some of my favourite work.

Which piece of yours are you most proud of?

I think The Garden Path’s main theme.

Which piece by someone else do you wish you had written?

Thomas Newman's 'Any Other Name'.

What do you listen to while you’re driving?

I wish I owned a car! Then I could finally force my music on any passengers.

Do you have a musical hero?

Arthur Russell.

Which decade had the best music?

Music has never been better.

Ocarina, harp or bongos — which magical instrument do you take on an epic adventure?

Bongos.

If your house were on fire and you only had time to grab one keepsake before you flee to safety with your family, what would you take?

I'd probably just rip my computer out from the wall. I have all my files backed up, but it'd save me the trouble!

Be sure to check out our other Quick Beats interviews with the likes of Austin Wintory, Yuzo Koshiro, Darren Korb, Jake Kaufman, Lena Raine, and Manami Matsumae, and keep an eye out for plenty more in the coming days as the Nintendo Life VGM Fest continues.