Welcome to the official topic for Chiptunes here on NeoGAF. Chiptunes are a style of music that's growing steadily in popularity and influence and it's high time we had thread to discuss them here on GAF.
A chiptune is a piece of music that makes use of or emulated versions of the soundchips found in classic computer and video game systems. The Nintendo Entertainment System, GameBoy, and Commodore computers are popular "instruments" in this genre of music.
More and more chiptune artists are taking their works to the stage, performing tours and shows at conventions. It's a growing phenomenon and its fanbase is swelling at pretty quick pace. I hope this thread can help raise awareness of one my favorite styles of music.
I've put together a short list of prolific and/or upcoming chiptune artists and included three songs by each. They're awesome -- definitely listen to them! More can be added to the list if requested -- just leave it in the topic or PM me.
Virt - Official site
If you've played Contra 4 or Bloodrayne Betrayal, then you're already familiar with Jake Kaufman's work. There's a good reason he was hand-picked for the soundtrack in the upcoming old-school-lovefest Retro City Rampage. You haven't lived until you've heard double-bass from a 2A03.
Disasterpeace - Official site
A one-man composing machine, Rich Vreeland has created his own unique catalog of music, while crafting soundtracks for games like FEZ, Puzzle Agent and Drawn to Life. His ability to overlay and interweave patterns is second to none in the genre. There's an otherworldly, ethereal sound to many of his pieces.
The J. Arthur Keenes Band - Bandcamp page
This Toronto-based one-man act blends elements of pop, rock and reggae into his music, with insightful, playful and introspective lyrics. It also makes use of real guitar regularly.
Norrin Radd - ii Music page
Hailing from Canada, this chiptune maestro also has direct ties to the Retro City Rampage soundtrack. There's a large metal influence in his work, including growling/screaming vocals in select songs. Still, his best work evokes the spirit of many classic game sountracks accurately. The ending of the first selection below would not be out of place in a Castlevania game.
Danimal Cannon - Bandcamp page
You may know Danimal's work from Armcannon and/or Metroid Metal, but his solo work is starting to catch on, and for good reason. His debut album, Roots, was included as a bonus in one of Indie Royal bundles. Metal and prog-rock influenced compositions played on a Game Boy produces an impressive sound.
Nullsleep - Official site
Jeremiah Johnson is a true mover and shaker in the chiptune scene, having co-founded 8-bit Peoples. He had a piece included in the soundtrack for Gaijin Games' Bit.Trip VOID.
Rushjet1 - Official site
There isn't a ton of info out there on Rushjet1, but the truth is his music speaks for itself. He has had two albums released through 8-bit Peoples and they're both incredibly stellar.
Knife City - Bandcamp
According to the official Knife City Facebook page, Luke Silas has had the same Game Boy since he was five. He's now using it to make us music, like the dancey tracks found in the links below.
Sabrepulse - Official site
There's a heaping helping of actual EDM in a lot of Sabrepulse's stuff, but he's proven to be a skillful chiptune artist in his own right. The examples here skew more toward his chip work, as they should, but the rabbit hole goes deep with this one.
Bit Shifter - Official site
This NYC-based artist also makes use of a Game Boy. A self-professed patron of "the lolz", he's a co-admin over at 8-bit Peoples and a pretty big influence in the scene in general.
Dubmood - Wordpress page
This guy has been making chiptunes since 1994. He's like the At The Gates of the chiptune scene (i.e. ahead of his time). He was born in Sweeden and currently lives in Marseille, France, so if you get a chance to see him live, don't hesitate.
Anamanaguchi - Official site
This four-piece uses a hacked NES and guitars to create a unique sound loved by many. Their work on the Scott Pilgrim soundtrack is also well loved, though it's hardly where they got their start.
Alex Mauer - Official site
You may recognize Mauer's sound from the Penny Arcade Ep 3 soundtrack, but he was hard at work on original chiptunes for a long time before Rain Slick was a glimmer in Gabe and Tycho's eyes.
Souleye - Official site
Souleye became famous for his work with indie smash sensation VVVVVV. I would like to link to his non-chiptune stuff, but there isn't much of it on Youtube. Enjoy his work from the game, or hit up his site.
Mzero1 - Bandcamp
This artist was recommended by GAF's Soul Creator. He makes his tunes on a Nintendo DS using the Korg M01 software.
_ensnare_ - Blogspot page
This artist was recommended by GAF's ninge. You may know some of _ensnare_ from indie game Frozen Synapse. It's dancey-sounding chiptune-styled work that might get you moving around.
Infinity Shred - Bandcamp
Once known as Starscream, Infinity Shred call themselves 'post italo future shredders'. They put out some of the strongest atmospheric and emotionally heavy chiptunes around, sort of old M83-ish.
Monomer - Bandcamp
Monomer is an expert at building and executing mood and feeling in his work. An ambitious and clever composer, his recent work has expanded to a more 80s sound, but it's still pretty darn good.
Chiocrite - Official site
Philly-based Chipocrite produces tunes primarily with a Game Boy or two, though sometimes real instruments are used. 8-bit Lebowski isn't original, but it IS a fantastic compliment to the original tracks.
Lifeformed - Official site
Lifeformed made a pretty big splash with the Dustforce soundtrack, but his original work is equally appealing and worth a listen. It builds the same kind of cool grooves found in the game's music.
Fearofdark - Official site
Recommended by GAF's Aeana. Undeniably funky, Fearofdark's tunes hail from the UK. If you don't find your head bobbing during these tunes then you probably don't have a soulful bone in your body.
I stole most of the info here from these websites "about" pages. Each is a great resource or provides a service integral to the scene.
