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Be a Better Artist

Be a Better Artist

By: Markus Junnikkala
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Demystifying the Creative ProcessCopyright 2025 Markus Junnikkala Art Music Personal Development Personal Success
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Episodes
  • Mudeth – Binding of Isaac Antibirth OST Composer Interview
    May 6 2025

    Mudeth is a composer from Bangalore, best known for his soundtrack for The Binding of Isaac Antibirth OST.

    MUDETH LINKS:


    Website: https://www.mudeth.org/

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mudeth

    'The Unsung' (Mudeth's podcast): https://unsung.mudeth.org/The_Good_and_the_Flawed

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ERwcThkHmFXYHH3TagPOY?si=AjEodAaXRZOAEUhbS4fZLA

    Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mudeth/1189772212

    Bandcamp: https://mudeth.bandcamp.com/

    X: https://x.com/htedum


    LINKS FOR THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:


    The Bioacoustics podcast: https://india.mongabay.com/2024/07/podcast-wild-frequencies-find-wildlfe-with-bioacoustics/

    Knytt (video game): https://archive.org/details/Knytt

    Iji (video game): https://www.remar.se/daniel/iji.php


    Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

    https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/


    Support this podcast by becoming a member:

    https://markusjunnikkala.com/membership/


    Want me to answer your question? Ask it on social media:


    https://www.instagram.com/markusjunnikkala/

    https://www.facebook.com/markusjunnikkala/

    https://x.com/markusjunnikkal

    https://www.twitch.tv/markusjunnikkala

    https://www.reddit.com/user/markusjunnikkala/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusjunnikkala/


    Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.


    TIMESTAMPS:


    (00:00:00) Intro & The Binding of Isaac Mod Origins

    (00:05:00) Burnout from Ad Work & Discovering Creative Joy

    (00:12:00) Artistic Integrity vs Client Expectations

    (00:20:00) Artist vs Craftsperson: Personal Philosophy

    (00:25:00) Fan Favorites and Musical References

    (00:30:00) Cultural Influences Growing Up in India

    (00:35:00) Host’s Background and Creative Journey

    (00:43:00) Making Indie Games: Breachway Development

    (00:49:00) Perfectionism, Releasing Music, and Artistic Growth

    (00:56:00) Creative Process and Avoiding Overthinking

    (01:04:00) Knowing When to Let Go of a Song

    (01:10:00) Early Childhood, Curiosity, and Synth Exploration

    (01:20:00) Computer Music, Trackers, and DAW Evolution

    (01:30:00) Creative Confidence and Trusting Instincts

    (01:40:00) Learning Through Releasing Music

    (01:50:00) Mixing Tricks & Gaining Perspective

    (02:00:00) Fixing Weak Sections and Structural Flow

    (02:10:00) Letting Go & Binary Nature of Art

    (02:20:00) Music, Emotion, and Avoiding False Satisfaction

    (02:30:00) Playfulness, Simplicity, and Authenticity

    (02:45:00) Final Reflections on Growth and Creativity

    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 56 mins
  • Damjan Mravunac
    Jul 17 2024

    Damjan Mravunac is a Croatian composer and musician, best known for his music for the Serious Sam video game series, as well as the Talos Principle 1 and 2 video games.

    DAMJAN LINKS:

    Website: http://www.damjanmravunac.com/

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4JCHmi2aI31AP3VsVKE2ks?si=dCSHw9drRGa0doPgjPReJA

    Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/damjan-mravunac/726774063

    Bandcamp: https://damjanmravunac.bandcamp.com/


    TIMESTAMPS:

    (00:00:00) Parenting

    (00:05:02) Music Tech & Production

    (00:14:05) Personal Music Journey

    (00:24:50) First Gig, Croteam, Serious Sam

    (00:31:24) Dreaming Big, Creative Restriction

    (00:38:25) Procrastination, Workflow, Routine

    (00:45:07) Sound Design

    (01:01:09) Studio Setup, Remote Work

    (01:14:00) Networking, Game Music Industry, Advice for New Composers

    (01:28:15) Talos Principle 1 and 2

    (01:45:07) Inspiration, Composition, and Mixing

    (02:00:45) Approach to Game Soundtracks

    (02:07:31) Mixing and Composing Simultaneously

    (02:16:15) Evolution of Technology in Music

    (02:27:29) Impact of War on Creativity

    (02:30:03) Digital Technology's Impact on Creativity

    (02:34:06) Work-Life Balance and Parenting

    (02:41:07) Passion for Music and Creative Process

    (02:48:20) Fitness Journey and Health

    (02:56:24) Future Projects and Aspirations

    (03:00:42) Definition of an Artist

    (03:10:13) Message sent to Everyone's Smartphone


    Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

    https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/


    Want me to answer your question?

    Ask it on social media:


    https://www.instagram.com/markusjunnikkala/

    https://www.facebook.com/markusjunnikkala/

    https://twitter.com/markusjunnikkal

    https://www.twitch.tv/markusjunnikkala

    https://www.reddit.com/user/markusjunnikkala/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusjunnikkala/


    Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.

    Show More Show Less
    3 hrs and 17 mins
  • Paul Kilduff-Taylor
    Jul 9 2024

    Paul Kilduff-Taylor is a composer and artist known for his music as nervous_testpilot as well as _ensnare_. He is also the co-founder of Mode 7, an indie game publisher and development company, known for titles like Frozen Synapse, Fight in Tight Spaces, and Tokyo 42.

    PAUL KILDUFF-TAYLOR LINKS:

    https://www.nervoustestpilot.com/

    https://www.mode7.games/

    X: https://x.com/mode7games

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mode7games/

    nervous_testpilot Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zhakwCorTNUwe17WxD3kh?si=Iuf-uikKTKqr9BTCqhe_5A

    _ensnare_ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1XYSXyGl3WXrHN7EPBQ1fc?si=bPiDLZzqQHq5Ood8dbfUAg

    nervous_testpilot Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/nervous-testpilot/192738401

    _ensnare_ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/ensnare/888028958


    TIMESTAMPS:

    (00:00:00) Intro

    (02:19:00) Emotional and Spiritual Connection in Music

    (05:02:00) Podcast Goals

    (07:52:00) Branding Challenges as an Artist

    (12:30:00) Game Development background

    (15:04:00) Personal Background

    (15:12:00) Early Life and Family

    (16:46:00) Technology Exposure in Childhood

    (18:00:00) Relationship with Technology

    (21:30:00) Childhood, Family

    (24:21:00) Risk Management, Anxiety, Collaboration

    (30:20:00) Early Music Exposure

    (32:23:00) Music as a Career Consideration

    (39:04:00) Humour in Music and Life

    (47:27:00) Early Career in Game Development and Music

    (56:02:00) Frozen Synapse (2011)

    (01:02:03) Mixing music, Sound selection, Retaining Emotion

    (01:06:53) Dynamic Music in Video Games

    (01:11:15) Creativity vs. Technical Precision

    (01:20:30) Approach to SNES Style Music

    (01:34:01) Music Technology in Composition

    (01:37:01) Inspiration

    (01:42:01) Compositional process

    (01:45:01) Musical Influences

    (01:53:22) Non-musical Influences

    (01:57:50) Time Management and Work Structure

    (02:00:30) Balancing Work and Personal Life

    (02:05:54) Challenges with Sleep and Coping Mechanisms

    (02:15:00) Emotion and Decision Making

    (02:23:33) Music Tech Talk

    (02:30:02) Mixing Techniques

    (02:45:02) Upcoming Exciting Music Tech

    (02:49:42) Balancing Work and Life

    (02:56:05) Future Plans and Projects

    (02:59:12) Definition of an Artist

    (03:18:33) Message Sent to Everyone's Phone


    Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

    https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/


    Want me to answer your question?

    Ask it on social media:


    https://www.instagram.com/markusjunnikkala/

    https://www.facebook.com/markusjunnikkala/

    https://twitter.com/markusjunnikkal

    https://www.twitch.tv/markusjunnikkala

    https://www.reddit.com/user/markusjunnikkala/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusjunnikkala/


    Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.

    Show More Show Less
    3 hrs and 21 mins

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