The profound connection between music and video games is undeniable. Whether it is because certain soundtracks are designed to change and adjust to the game’s progression or because certain songs create core memories in gamers’ minds, at this point, it is possible to state that one couldn’t exist without the other.

In this episode, Alex Tarrand joins us to talk a bit more about the symbiotic relationship between music and gaming, which enhances not only the user experience playing the game but also game developers and music artists. Alex is the COO and Co-Founder at Styngr, a lifelong gamer, a serial entrepreneur, and a specialist in music tech, P&L ownership, forecasting & modeling, VOD/Live mobile streaming production, product management, sponsorships, social media, and behavioral economics, among many other things.

Throughout our conversation, we delve into Alex’s journey in the gaming industry and his intimate relationship with music, and his experiences working with different labels and publishers. Alex also shares his thoughts on the relationship between the metaverse and other emerging technologies and music, some missteps in the music industry most game developers make, and more.

Resources:

Visit Styngr’s website: https://www.styngr.com/

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextarrand/

Full Episode Breakdown:

2:23 – John and Alex remember how they met at the NAMM Show.

4:31 – Alex talks a bit about Styngr and what they do in the gaming and music space.

8:32 – Alex describes Styngr’s ideal clients.

11:37 – John and Alex talk about the link between recorded music, videogames, and the core memories certain soundtracks create in gamers’ lives.

16:05 – Alex explains why he feels no one talks enough about Niantic and the Pokemon Go experience. 

20:55 – Alex shares his thoughts on what he believes will happen in the following years in the relationship between music and video games.

26:42 – Alex talks about what he considers are the pros and cons of new technologies like the metaverse, Web3, and others. 

31:40 – John and Alex talk about the difference between captive audiences, like in the Travis Scott and Fortnite experience, and the metaverse, which has to attract an audience.

37:19 – Alex talks about how musicians and independent artists can enter the video game industry.

42:42 – Alex talks about some of the missteps some developers and content creators make in the music industry.

46:10 – Alex shares examples of the things that worked really well in the industry.

49:23 – Alex talks about the mutual benefits artists and game developer companies can get from the interaction between music and video games.