Mystery Kitchen release round up

Arch Fenster on 4/8/2025 at 19:55

Hello beloved taffers, taffettes and otherwise!

So here are all of the album projects I've completed over the last year. Yes, I'm bragging (a little).

Seven different ones--including the First Flight collection and Evelyn Sykes's orchestral music for one of our (Digital Eel's) space games.

And I'm not done yet. Having gone through the Digital Eel game "music" and the old stuff I made for Sound Resources (St. Paul), now it's time for my more recent material at last, yay! (Watch the skies.)

(https://richcarlson.bandcamp.com/album/hidden-cookies) Hidden Cookies
(https://richcarlson.bandcamp.com/album/midnight-moonlight) Midnight Moonlight (First Flight)
(https://richcarlson.bandcamp.com/album/sea-of-stars-the-symphonic-score) Sea of Stars: The Symphonic Score (Evelyn Sykes)
(https://richcarlson.bandcamp.com/album/the-weird-musical-world-of-digital-eel) The Weird Musical World of Digital Eel
(https://richcarlson.bandcamp.com/album/the-midway-sessions) The Midway Sessions
(https://richcarlson.bandcamp.com/album/plasmaworm) Plasmaworm
(https://richcarlson.bandcamp.com/album/the-midway-sessions-short-stack-ep) The Midway Sessions: Short Stack EP

Czech out what you can, when you can, etc. It'll keep. Personal faves: Evelyn's orchestral set and the Weird Musical World collection. But there are hidden cookies throughout.

Adios and so forth!

Archie (RC)

PigLick on 5/8/2025 at 15:12

So you wrote all this or was just involved in the recording process?

Tocky on 6/8/2025 at 01:35

Got a bit of funk and soul going in the first two. I can dig it. Reminds me of the late 70's and that ain't bad at all. The rest just isn't my cup of tea. I kept hoping it would lean more Rick Wakeman. I also am curious about your involvement here.

Also if you have any advice on Seattle as I'll be coming through via Vancouver late September. Want to take 1 down to SF and then Dunsmuir house before Yosemite and the redwoods and Kev.

Arch Fenster on 13/8/2025 at 20:25

Quote Posted by PigLick

So you wrote all this or was just involved in the recording process?

Yep, this is mine all mine, for better or for worse. ;) And, you know, I co-designed (with Iikka Keranen) the "Infinite Space" games (Strange Adventures, Weird Worlds and Sea of Stars). This was after we left Looking Glass. So these albums represents a cross-section of what I was doing in a particular 1970's band (1 album), what I was doing for commercial purposes before getting into games (3 albums, and what I did when I "went indie" with Iikka and Bill (forming "Digital Eel") (3 albums).
My more recent material made for no purpose except enjoyment is next after a break when I'll do a lot of listening and selecting before diving in.

Arch Fenster on 13/8/2025 at 20:42

Quote Posted by Tocky

Thanks for listening. I appreciate your comment. When I work on music for like a commercial or a band or a game, I always try to provide choices that aren't in any particular genre. Sometimes that doesn't work though because it's not what's happening. :) But anyway the 70's does creep in. The 70's were my formative years when, you know, you're absorbing what's good and what's popular.

Wakeman, wow. Say no more! Such a fan. I like Keith Emerson from that period too. I'm just a piker on keys next to them.

I was here when I worked at Looking Glass on Thief 2. I was a level designer and a sort of level clean up person. I made Framed and Eavesdropping, and did cleanup on Running Interference, Casing The Joint and Masks.

Wow, nice trip! Yeah the 1. I miss the road. I just don't do trips anymore. Traveled to SF a lot, and down to LA. Love the coast and the redwoods and all that.

Arch Fenster on 13/8/2025 at 20:49

Quote Posted by Tocky

Also if you have any advice on Seattle...

The Pike Place Fish Market would be my advice. A fun place right downtown, right on the water, with history with so many things to do. Lots of great food places. Cool shops and fun ones like the magic store, etc. The aquarium museum. A couple of good bars. Oh did I say good food? Right. And the guys throwing the fish around is/are hilarious.

Arch Fenster on 14/8/2025 at 06:05

Quote Posted by PigLick

So you wrote all this or was just involved in the recording process?

I forgot to add. Sea of Stars: The Symphonic Score is music that UK composer Evelyn Sykes created for Sea of Stars, our third "Infinite Space" roguelite. In that case she took care of the theme as well as things like the battle music, etc. Meantime, for that one, I made the incidental music and sound effects which you can hear in the (https://richcarlson.bandcamp.com/album/the-weird-musical-world-of-digital-eel) Weird Musical World of Digital Eel collection.
How many roguelites can you name that have a symphonic soundtrack?
And honestly, I think it was the best space sci fi music that year for games or movies--with the exception of Star Wars 7. Quite a boast but (https://richcarlson.bandcamp.com/album/sea-of-stars-the-symphonic-score) check it out. Evelyn is amazing.

PigLick on 14/8/2025 at 06:14

It is very cool, I like the First Flight stuff, is that you on vocal?

Nevermind I read the lineup at the bottom. Guitarist is pretty tasty.

bjack on 14/8/2025 at 17:50

There's some good work here. Reminds me of this: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otVH5cv9z1A)

I also hear some Peter Gabriel "Melt" style in the techno tracks. Then Brazil '66. Pretty varied stuff. Pretty cool overall.

Arch Fenster on 16/8/2025 at 10:20

Quote Posted by PigLick

It is very cool, I like the First Flight stuff, is that you on vocal?
Nevermind I read the lineup at the bottom. Guitarist is pretty tasty.

Yeah I always liked the way Bruce plays. He's still at it too, running around Minnesota singing at clubs and such. He has a Bandcamp page if you're interested. Hey thanks for the note & for listening.