Interview: Tyson Prince of The Spin Wires

An Interview with a Video Game Composer, Tyson R. Prince: 

The Spin Wires is a famous band, which is a Buffalo, New York based company. It plays punk infused with elements of dance rock, new wave, and garage rock. The company develops music for top video games like Hovership Havoc, #ZRUN, Super Toy Cars, Super Toy Cars 2, #KILLALLZOMBIES and Spheroids.

Tyson R. Prince writes, composes and plays music for The Spin Wires. He is approached for an interview and the request is granted. The interview session follows as:

Q 1) Tell me a bit about yourself and team.

A)  My name is Tyson R. Prince.  I compose music under the moniker “Double Hilt” and also play and write in the dance rock band, The Spin Wires.  I can create compelling alternative rock music with vocals and also compose a number of other more conventional genres for video games (electronic or orchestral etc.).  For my day job, I am an attorney in Buffalo, New York. 

Q 2) What sparked your passion for making music?

A) Played guitar as a teenager and loved music.  Accordingly, decided that I wanted to make music.

Q 3) What is it that you find so compelling about video game music?

A) Well-composed music can really set the mood of a game and add to the atmosphere.  I remember listening to the soundtrack of Total Annihilation (by Jeremy Soule) and being so enthralled that this was music created for a game but at the same time stood out.  Same for the Fallout 1/2 soundtrack by Mark Morgan.

Poor or distasteful music can ruin a game.  

Q 4) For how many games did you compose music?

A)  Quite a few.  Off the top of my head, music I have composed has been licensed in the following games:

• Hovership Havoc
• #ZRUN
• Super Toy Cars
• #KILLALLZOMBIES
• Super Toy Cars 2
• Spheroids

Q 5) What has been your biggest career challenge? How about your biggest triumph?

A) Composing takes a lot of time and effort, and sometimes it’s tough to link to a game development project that is willing to make that investment.  When I compose for video games, I generally like to take an equity royalty in the game, so that I am not set to a strict payment schedule.  This forces me to give my best work, as getting equity means I only get paid if the game succeeds.   Biggest triumph is probably having a song licensed in the Showtime Show, Shameless.

Q 6) Can you remember the first time that you heard video game music and thought, “I want to compose this music?”

A) Hard to say!  See my response to answer 3 above. 

Q 7) What genre of games do you like to play?

A) CRPGS and Rogue-likes are my favorite.  I dug all three games made by Troika Studios a number of years ago.  Currently looking forward to a rogue-like called Stoneshard that is in early access.  Pathfinder Kingmaker was also fairly fun recently.  

Q 8) What advice do you have for beginners who want to become musicians like you?

A) Practice and learn from others.  Find a game development group in your local area and do Game Jams.  Expect a lot of time composing to go nowhere.  Also, I would suggest NOT making music your day job.  Have a reliable day job, and then use music as an outlet and side-gig.  It’s way more fun and less stressful that way.  Additionally, you can compose the music you want.

Thank you, Mr. Tyson for taking time with us and sharing views. I believe in your skills and passion, commitment and enthusiasm, and hope to get great music in future too.