July Update - The Rising Star Patronage Project

Our contracts are signed and production has begun! Right now that means we've set the creative direction of the project and gotten everything set aside for us to start working. Unfortunately, due to shifting schedules, a bit of travel, and a few complications, we'll have to delay past our initial target of August.

To set accurate expectations, I'll refrain from announcing a release date here BUT for full transparency, all of our composers are contracted to finish their tracks by September 15th - so with a little time added to finalize everything and prepare for release, I wouldn't be too surprised if we saw something before the end of the year. (but no promises! not until those files are uploaded and ready for release)

Speaking of finalizing, I have additional news - even with the limited scope, our initial project was grossly underfunded... which is why I'm thrilled to announce that, thanks to a very generous donation from a local organization in Seattle, we were able to blow past our first milestone with a total amount raised of $14,748.

Thanks to kindness of this organization, we now have the funds required to properly complete the album - which includes a budget for mixing, mastering, promotional support, and album art!!!! (friends... we did not have enough budget for album art 💀)

I can also proudly announce that the future of the fund is significantly less uncertain. We're now able to increase payments for composers who discounted their rates, plan for and fund additional tracks beyond our first release, and, importantly, set aside a small operating budget which will allow us to do all of the aforementioned sustainably, at least for a little bit.

As always, thank you all for your support! We'll be announcing our composers over the coming months and keep you posted as we keep plugging away.

Stay tuned!
-star

One Month Update - The Rising Star Patronage Project

Thanks to your contributions, we've been able to raise $4723 - which is enough for us to support tracks from five composers! What we've raised so far will allow us to launch the program and pay 3 of our composers what they're worth!

Our eagle eyed readers will notice that we raised 43% of our initial $11,000 goal - which I've referred to as our "first milestone." That means that we're still hoping to raise more to meet that first goal and hoping to raise even more beyond that.

It also means that the overall fees we're able to pay our artists starting out are much lower than industry standards. While we'll be able to fund some of our composers at near (or, in some cases, slightly above) their asking rates, we've chosen fantastic composers who are able to charge lower rates due to the particulars of their circumstances. This isn't dissimilar to the phenomenon of the US tech industry hiring cheaper labor internationally. Beyond that, two of our composers are willing and able to work at a lower rate than their preferred (which, as mentioned, is not uncommon for artists). I don't love this!

So, here's what we're gonna do:

Our first album will be a short release - we're bringing you 4-5 tracks (4 planned with a potential bonus track), and we're aiming for a release date of mid to late August.

We'll be targeting shorter, episodic releases. Think of this first release as the base game and subsequent releases as DLC. These could be additional short albums or even singles.

We're leaving the fundraiser open and additional funds will be split between paying more to composers who've taken reduced fees, funding additional releases for composers we've already worked with to continue supporting them, and bringing on additional composers as we're able.

Thank you so much for joining us on the first steps of this journey. This is just the beginning: stay tuned to see what comes next.

The Rising Star Patronage Project

It feels like the economy is on fire and the game industry hasn’t been an exception to that rule. I know it might seem like there’s nothing we can do, but we’ve got to start somewhere. I’m starting right here.

I’m teaming up with Aivi Tran (who you may know from their work on Steven Universe) to raise funds for a selection of diverse composers; We’ll make some new music, boost everybody’s careers, and keep everyone’s rent paid. You’ll find the link to the GoFundMe campaign here.

Things are tough everywhere, but when things get like this, marginalized folks are often hit the hardest. In a time where it feels like the people in power don’t have our best interests in mind, the only way any of us will be able to survive is if we start helping each other out. I hope you’ll consider helping us, now.

I know we’re all having trouble, so if you aren’t able to contribute this time, please keep us in mind for the future. I’ve also included some non-money ways you can help out on FAQ on our campaign page, too.

Please give everything a look, help out if you can, and please please share it far and wide. We’re hoping to really create some positive change in the industry and we need as much help as we can get.

Hope to hear from you, and hope I’m able to help you out when you need it, too.

How to Handle Hard Times

For the understatement of the century: times are tough right now. With what’s happening in the games industry, in politics, in many of our personal lives, it can feel overwhelmingly difficult to orient ourselves. I’ve been through a lot of tough times, myself, and here’s what helps me get through them.

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to continue to do what you do best. If there’s an artform you’re passionate about, whether it’s traditional "work" or the art of caring for your loved ones and your community, there’s never been a better time to tune out of the world and into your art. You’ll be a happier, better self - and that's the self that we need.

Bonus: if you’re in the business of monetizing your art, that’s a good way to move out of the nightmare of capitalism. Become a master of your craft and build a war chest for yourself and your loved ones. Or, feed your spirit enough with your art to keep going wherever you go to pay the bills.

Exercise. Sorry.

Endorphins, longevity, a healthier body and a clearer mind - you know it’s good for you, you know it’s good for you, so get out there and get moving. Remember that "best version of you?" That version of you exercises.

I like to lift weights. I’m gettin real strong. If you know me well, you already know this, because I will not shut up about it.

Do it.

Stop reading the news. Sorry again.

Unplug, and take care of yourself. There are other people out there with more resources, more time, more energy, who can and will fight on your behalf. If you’re questioning whether or not you have enough to give, it is very possible that you don’t right now. That sucks, but what sucks worse is you burning yourself out and giving up entirely. So, don’t do that.

Take a chill pill.

They’re small steps, but they work. Inch by inch, step by step, it’ll help. Maybe you’ll win that contract or land that deal, maybe you’ll get that promotion or find that job, or maybe you’ll just find the strength to get up and get back to it for another day. But here’s the trick: if you do that every day, before you know it, you’ve done it.

The Story the Numbers Don't Tell

Spotify Wrapped is here!!

I'm posting late because - would you believe it? I was embarrassed. The eagle-eyed among you might notice that these numbers, though admittedly impressive, are smaller than my numbers from last year. But numbers don't tell the whole story.

It's no big secret that it's been a difficult year in video games and that's effected every part of the industry, including the work of freelancers like myself. That could be part of the story, but it isn't the important part.

I've spent the last 2 years reshaping my career on the backend. I've let go of things that weren't serving me, built new systems to support a stronger career, and reshaped my approach to my entire life, in a sense. It's some of the most powerful work a person can endeavor to do and it's _very_ internal. It's not the kind of thing that sounds sexy and fun when you talk about it. It's not the kind of thing that shows up in the numbers. But it's extremely impactful.

So as we watch our numbers, let's not forget the things that really matter. Remember that you're always moving forward, even if the numbers take a lil step backward for a while.

stay frosty,
-💫

Seattle Indies Spotlight

I was featured in the November 2024 update from Seattle Indies! Read the interview below and read more about Seattle Indies at their website.

Star Victoria Power (aka Slide20XX) is a lifelong composer who writes colorful music for colorful games! They've been working professionally for about a decade and their work includes a track in Bloodstained’s new DLC: Dominique’s Curse, the soundtrack for Calico (a game about magical girls running a cat cafe), the anti-racist PSAs put out by Steven Universe, and electro-swing & jazz-hop for the visual novel Penny Larceny: Gig Economy Supervillain !

What inspired you to become an indie developer?

When I was a kid, I spent a lot of my time listening to video game music midi files and reading webcomics made out of video game graphics. Specifically, I listened to a lot of Sonic the Hedgehog midis and read a lot of Sonic the Hedgehog sprite comics. It wasn’t long before I got curious enough to try to make my own (Sonic) sprite comics, which led to me beginning to view the computer as a creative tool and eventually thinking to myself, “Well, I know how to make sprite comics. I wonder if I could make midis. I wonder if I could make.. video game.. midis… I want to make music for video games.”

I played piano and viola at a public fine arts school I attended and started teaching myself to write classical and electronic music. I also spent a fair amount of time making video games with a friend of mine, who I later worked with professionally, and learning about indie games specifically through places like TIGSource and following developers I liked on the brand new website, Twitter.com

What is one important lesson you have learned in your time as an indie developer?

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. I think it can be easy to look around at the state of things, or at a career that isn’t progressing at the rate that you might like it to, and come to the conclusion that whatever dreams or goals you have are impossible to achieve. I grew up in poverty in an unremarkable city in Georgia, so by my estimation, I’ve already done the impossible by getting as far as I have. I didn’t get here by thinking that I couldn’t do it, so that’s the lesson I have to share. As cliche as it sounds, believe in yourself and never give up and you’ll probably get further than you’ve ever imagined.

What is the one piece of advice you would share today with your younger self before you started your career as an indie developer?

I’d probably say to never be afraid to ask for help. I’ve had to figure out a lot of things on my own, so I think that’s led to me to self-reliance before anything else. While there are plenty of benefits to that approach to life, I think I might have had an easier time of things overall had I sought advice and guidance at more of the critical points along my path.

How has the game developer community had an impact on your career?

I think it’s safe to say that I wouldn’t have a career at all if not for the support of the various communities that I’ve been fortunate enough to become a part of. I’ve made lifelong friends, worked with some remarkable people, and made memories that will last me a lifetime. (and I’m not done yet!)

What is something interesting and unexpected that people would be surprised to learn about you?

My favorite ways to enjoy music are quietly in reverence at a concert hall (classical), on a quality pair of headphones (any genre), or as part of an incredibly good DJ set at a nightclub, surrounded by a crowd of people who are dancing and just as enthusiastic as I am (hip-hop, pop).