Exclusive Interview with C64 Remixer Chronberg!
We have a real treat today at the C64 Walkabout.
Back a few months ago I introduced a favorite Commodore 64 Remixer of mine who goes by the name "Chronberg". (In fact, I have his tune "Geo Matrix" playing in the background right now)
Well, Per Chronberg himself was kind enough to grant some answers to interview-style questions by e-mail. I hope you enjoy the exchange and take some time to check out Chronberg's music at: http://www.chronberg.com/music.htm
You can also find his songs and those of other remixers mentioned in this interview at Remix.Kwed.Org home to a massive number of great C64 Remixes!
Q: What originally got you into C64 music remixing?
A: As far as I can recall a good friend of mine introduced me to the very
fine site remix.kwed.org and I got really enthusiastic about it. Then
after listening to a lot of songs I started doing my own remixes. I
should also add that a big part of it is that I really enjoyed many of
the songs when playing games on the c64.
Q: Do you choose to remix specific SID tunes because you are or were a fan of those games on the C64, or do you discover the SID tunes independent of gaming?
A: A few of my mixes are from games I played but most are just of songs I
happen to like.
Q: Who else in the C64 remixing scene do you admire or enjoy listening to?
A: Oh.. tough one. Well...one of the early big influences is Glyn R Brown.
Really like Dafunks stuff as well. Then there is (in no particular
order) DHS, BeeZerk, Lagerfeldt, Makke, Machine Supremacy, Binster,
Instant Remedy, Terminal Storm, Moog, Reyn Ouwehand, Romeo Knight,
Markus Schneider, Sonic Wanderer, The SoundWavers and a few more I can´t
think of right now.
Q: I particularly enjoy your remix titled Gyroscope - Unzalicious Version because it sounds like something you'd hear at a club, and has none of the "geek factor" present in many C64 remixes --- so it can be played in mixed company with no one the wiser. How do you go from a relatively simple SID tune to something with so many layers of complexity, and how long does such a song take to create?
A: Well, I just play around with different sounds and build the song track
after track. It's not always the same process though. Sometimes stuff
just falls into place and other times you really have to struggle.
I can't say how much time a song takes because I often work on bits and
pieces during many sessions. I also try to learn stuff at the same time
which means that the largest portion of time is dedicated to experiments.
Q: Beyond - Bassic Remix is another great tune you did recently (and in a very different sort of style than Gyroscope, I assume inspired by Martin Lindhe) that has a bit of an 80's feel to it. Any background on that remix you'd like to share?
A: Thanks! No, it's not inspired by Lindhe. Didn't know about him prior to
this interview. I Googled him and saw that he calls him self Bassic. My
reason for choosing the name Bassic version is simply Bass = a fair
amount of bass, Basic = pretty simple arrangement. Merged together gives
"Bassic". I'm seldom very happy with the outcome of my mixes
(technically) but this one I like a bit more.. something with the
spectrum of sound.. feels a bit more complete. I think that it's working
better than most of my earlier stuff in that respect.
Q: Are you currently working on any more tunes, and would you care to give any hints as to what they are?
A: Im pretty much always working on new stuff and as we speak I'm half way
into my next mix. It's a bit different from what I've done lately and it
will be interesting to see the reactions it (hopefully) generates.
Q: What more can you tell us about who you are, and other interests you have besides remixing?
A: Well, just a regular bloke from Sweden. I do enjoy making original music
as well, even though I tend to do more remixes at the moment. Art is a
very big interest for me. Not so active in that field right now but
will get back into it pretty soon. Working out used to be a big part of
my life and I'm slowly getting back into torturing my body again.
(Note: Chronberg used to go by the name "Chronblom", so if you see that name pop up in a remix, it's the same guy.)
C64 Walkabout: Many thanks Chronberg for filling us in.
Chronberg: It was my pleasure. Thank you for having me!
Well, that's all for this interview, let me know if you liked it by leaving a comment, it's quick and easy. Also, if you like a particular C64 Remixer and want to see them featured here, or you are a C64 Remixer yourself, please leave a note here and I'll see what I can do!
Back a few months ago I introduced a favorite Commodore 64 Remixer of mine who goes by the name "Chronberg". (In fact, I have his tune "Geo Matrix" playing in the background right now)
Well, Per Chronberg himself was kind enough to grant some answers to interview-style questions by e-mail. I hope you enjoy the exchange and take some time to check out Chronberg's music at: http://www.chronberg.com/music.htm
You can also find his songs and those of other remixers mentioned in this interview at Remix.Kwed.Org home to a massive number of great C64 Remixes!
Q: What originally got you into C64 music remixing?
A: As far as I can recall a good friend of mine introduced me to the very
fine site remix.kwed.org and I got really enthusiastic about it. Then
after listening to a lot of songs I started doing my own remixes. I
should also add that a big part of it is that I really enjoyed many of
the songs when playing games on the c64.
Q: Do you choose to remix specific SID tunes because you are or were a fan of those games on the C64, or do you discover the SID tunes independent of gaming?
A: A few of my mixes are from games I played but most are just of songs I
happen to like.
Q: Who else in the C64 remixing scene do you admire or enjoy listening to?
A: Oh.. tough one. Well...one of the early big influences is Glyn R Brown.
Really like Dafunks stuff as well. Then there is (in no particular
order) DHS, BeeZerk, Lagerfeldt, Makke, Machine Supremacy, Binster,
Instant Remedy, Terminal Storm, Moog, Reyn Ouwehand, Romeo Knight,
Markus Schneider, Sonic Wanderer, The SoundWavers and a few more I can´t
think of right now.
Q: I particularly enjoy your remix titled Gyroscope - Unzalicious Version because it sounds like something you'd hear at a club, and has none of the "geek factor" present in many C64 remixes --- so it can be played in mixed company with no one the wiser. How do you go from a relatively simple SID tune to something with so many layers of complexity, and how long does such a song take to create?
A: Well, I just play around with different sounds and build the song track
after track. It's not always the same process though. Sometimes stuff
just falls into place and other times you really have to struggle.
I can't say how much time a song takes because I often work on bits and
pieces during many sessions. I also try to learn stuff at the same time
which means that the largest portion of time is dedicated to experiments.
Q: Beyond - Bassic Remix is another great tune you did recently (and in a very different sort of style than Gyroscope, I assume inspired by Martin Lindhe) that has a bit of an 80's feel to it. Any background on that remix you'd like to share?
A: Thanks! No, it's not inspired by Lindhe. Didn't know about him prior to
this interview. I Googled him and saw that he calls him self Bassic. My
reason for choosing the name Bassic version is simply Bass = a fair
amount of bass, Basic = pretty simple arrangement. Merged together gives
"Bassic". I'm seldom very happy with the outcome of my mixes
(technically) but this one I like a bit more.. something with the
spectrum of sound.. feels a bit more complete. I think that it's working
better than most of my earlier stuff in that respect.
Q: Are you currently working on any more tunes, and would you care to give any hints as to what they are?
A: Im pretty much always working on new stuff and as we speak I'm half way
into my next mix. It's a bit different from what I've done lately and it
will be interesting to see the reactions it (hopefully) generates.
Q: What more can you tell us about who you are, and other interests you have besides remixing?
A: Well, just a regular bloke from Sweden. I do enjoy making original music
as well, even though I tend to do more remixes at the moment. Art is a
very big interest for me. Not so active in that field right now but
will get back into it pretty soon. Working out used to be a big part of
my life and I'm slowly getting back into torturing my body again.
(Note: Chronberg used to go by the name "Chronblom", so if you see that name pop up in a remix, it's the same guy.)
C64 Walkabout: Many thanks Chronberg for filling us in.
Chronberg: It was my pleasure. Thank you for having me!
Well, that's all for this interview, let me know if you liked it by leaving a comment, it's quick and easy. Also, if you like a particular C64 Remixer and want to see them featured here, or you are a C64 Remixer yourself, please leave a note here and I'll see what I can do!
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