1)Hello Mr Arkenstone, as many people know you through the musics in the game World of Warcraft, many of the wow players dont know the real You, could you tell us more ?

Well, of course, part of me is in my music for WoW. It’s a great opportunity to use all the things I’ve been doing for years, just in another arena. The real me, as you say, is just someone who loves to paint with sound. I love the orchestra, I love synths and guitars and world music. I try to put all those elements in my solo recordings. So far in WoW, I’ve been able to use a small band with acoustic instruments, sort of celtic style, as well as the full orchestra.

2)When you started making music, where did you found your way ? (composer, band, kind of music )

I started playing piano when I was around 8, and I really enjoyed it. Then I learned guitar and flute. I was influenced by the Beatles, Jethro Tull, Yes, Peter Gabriel, The Chieftains, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius….Tolkien, etc. I played keyboards and guitar in my own original bands from high school and college through 1986. Mostly progressive, epic rock. Then, when synths and computers started communicating, I left my band and jumped into that world – alone and excited.

3)Do you remember some funny things or some music/situation/people did really marked you ?

I’m not sure what that means, but I remember some gigs where we were supposed to play dance music, but we played crazy stuff so it became a concert.

4)What do you do to find inspiration now ?

Everywhere. Nature, films, books, people, games, new instruments I learn, traveling.

5)You are part of the Warcraft Universe, how did you got in there? Did you ever wanted to compose for heroic fantasy or did they found you ?

On my recordings I have always tried to create epic music that tells a story. I imagine that is why I was asked to write music for WoW. I try to create moods and emotional music. And I think the music for WoW is some of the best in any games. (not just mine..) The audio director knew of my music from long ago, and one day the phone rang!
6)Okay, so are you free to compose or do you have some way to follow with it ?

Sometimes I will be allowed to see some concept art, or a complete description of the scene. Sometimes I will discuss it thoroughly with the audio director, Russell Brower. After that, I am usually free to compose in my way, though Russell will usually hear everything before the final recording. In that way, it’s kind of like a film score. You have to work with the team and the project. It’s very different from a solo recording. But just as rewarding.
7) What do you expect when you compose music for the games (an exemple is the last Coliseum musics ) ? Do you hope the player will feel something or do you just think “okay this is a Coliseum, lets make a Coliseum music” ?

well, there is certain music you might expect when you come upon a coliseum. But I try to filter it through my own experience, and twist it to fit the characters of the rich WoW universe. Sometimes, as in the tavern music, I tried to make different moods for the different races, so it feels natural. I always try to make interesting music for the player, and to enhance the area and experience.

7)What is your Warcraft favorite music ?

I suppose my favorite is the music for Argent Tournament, maybe because that’s the most recent. But I also liked the tavern music a lot.

9) And the one the harder to make ?

Some challenges were the Orc tavern music, mostly because of the concept of ‘what should that sound like?!’ And the last orchestra music took a lot of concentration to prepare and orchestrate. Sometimes it’s funny, like you will write a piece and that very often doesn’t take that long. But then to prepare for real musicians to play – that is time consuming!

10) How do you find inspiration for Warcraft musics, and how do you do to make it match with this universe ?

For me, it’s very easy to be inspired for Warcraft music. I just look at the game and think of music I would like to hear. The style is something I really enjoy. To make it match, I try to find all the information about the area it will be used in. And sometimes I’m lucky!
11) Are you now working on the musics for The future extension : Cataclysm ?

At the moment, I’m not working on any WoW music, but I think I will soon! I have seen a lot of fans who enjoy my music, along with the other music so it’s very gratifying. I hope to work on WoW for a long time, as it’s constantly evolving.

12) How is this making of going? Good?

N’étant pas sur le projet pour le moment (a mon avis, il ne peut pas en parler) il n’a pas répondu (voir question précédente)
13) There is not only Blizzard in your life, we know it, behind the WoW composer, there is many things, can you tell us more ? (Band, concerts, CD’s, if something’s coming soon say what you think is good to say )

I have made many CD’s, and I am working on a new one – Pangea, for next year. I will probably do some holiday concerts on the US west coast, but I would also enjoy playing in Europe and Asia.
14) Many people, like musicians (im one of them) take you as an example, what would you tell them about their passion ?

I would say you must absolutely have the passion. It can be a long, lonely road, so you must love what you do very much. And you must learn the basic technology, but the passion is most important.