Yasunori Mitsuda, Nobuo Uematsu, Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masashi Hamauzu, Koji Kondo, Michiko Naruke, Takeshi Kobayashi, Maurice Ravel (I think I've listened to his Piano Concerto in G at least 100 times), Claude Debussy, Igor Stravinsky (I think I've listened to "Le Sacre du printemps" about 30 times), Gustav Mahler, Wolfgang A. Mozart, L.V. Beethoven, J.S. Bach, Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore, John Williams, Ben Belloli and tons of others. I also like The Beatles, Foo Fighters, The Format, Band of Horses, The Shins, The Decemberists, Iron and Wine, Coldplay, Nirvana, Safe or Brave, and a few other current or recent bands.
This music sounds best when listened to through a good set of headphones!
My name is Chris Porter and I'm a self-taught musician/composer from Jackson, Michigan. I write original instrumental/orchestral music using MIDI. Much of my music is inspired by Japanese RPG composers' works, though I stay true to my own sound. What you'll hear are entirely my own works (unless otherwise noted) and all compositions are written from the ground up without any sampling or looping of prerecorded percussion sections. About the compositions:
"Of the Desert"
More town music! This time I decided to compose music that you might hear in an RPG desert town. The inhabitants of this town I imagined to be strong, dangerous and militaristic but on the protagonists' side. Through the music I tried to convey a sense of danger and at times militarism, yet also show that these people are good guys and the city is a haven for the adventurers. I spent a lot of time on this piece, trying very hard to keep it unique and interesting throughout. Enjoy!
"Port Shale"
I decided to try to write an RPG port town theme and I ended up imagining this town to be called Port Shale: crowded and lively, the smell of sea water in the air; sand, fish markets and traveler caravans abound. I was up many nights until very late spending long hours on this one, giving every second very special attention. Lots of instruments are used and tons of varied percussion throughout (all from scratch). I'm really happy with the finished composition. I hope you enjoy it!
"Encounter"
So, college is done for the year and I was anxious to get composing. I decided to tackle a battle theme. "Encounter" is the type of music I'd imagine hearing during a random encounter in a turn-based RPG. I had a lot of fun with this one as it is out of my normal, non-linear style of composition. I did try to make it as interesting as possible by using lots of varied instruments and time signature changes. I also payed special attention to percussion. As would be the case if this were actually in a game, the track loops once it has played through once. Enjoy!
"Foundation"
I started college this past semester (I'm majoring in Japanese - Mitsuda, here I come - haha!) so I've been extremely busy. But, after approximately a 5 month composing hiatus I managed to churn out a new composition over winter break. I was talking to my friend, who's going to school for game programming, and he was telling me about a game he is planning on making. He described his vision of the opening cinema and I told him I'd try to compose a piece using his description for inspiration. "Foundation" was conceptualized and written in two, long days. I worked non-stop and I'm satisfied with the results! This piece will take a few listens to fully appreciate (lots of stuff going on) and, as always, please listen through headphones for the best quality. Thanks a ton!
"The Fair of Eastview"
Imagine a wondrous fair in a fantasy city floating hundreds of feet in the sky at night: Eastview. This mental image was my inspiration while writing this piece. I wanted to maintain a sense of being in the strange, colorful fair district of a far-off city in the clouds. The music should accompany your wandering through the fair, changing as your viewpoint changes: playful, curious, challenging. Finally, you're struck with awe as you peer over the edge, seeing the stars above, the clouds below, and all of the small towns' house lights stretched out for miles on the dark ground hundreds of feet beneath you. Have fun listening!
"That Morning (Setting Out)"
This is a short piece I wrote for pan flute, flute, clarinet, piccolo, harp, strings, voices, and percussion. I basically worked on this music for two to four hours every night for a week until I finally decided to end it at a modest 1:40. There isn't much of a story behind this one; it's just fun, uplifting music. I picture an early, sunny morning in a quaint town where a group of people are preparing to step outside their town walls, ready to embark on an adventure...I'm such a nerd. I hope you enjoy the music.
Photo by: Bill Leslie
"Now That I Know"
I wanted to write an orchestral piece that never repeated a single phrase, but changed continuously throughout. The instruments are three seperate string ensembles, two cellos, 2 tubas, and piano. Repeated listenings (through good speakers or headphones) is required to get the most appreciation out of this piece. Thank you sooooo much for listening. I hope you like it!
"Islands"
I felt ambitious and decided to write the beginning section in a 7/8 time signature, as well as use instruments I rarely ever use. After the 1st act you get into a little more Chris Porter-esque section with strings, flute, piccolo and more percussion. This is a very short piece, but I hope you think that what I have is good. Enjoy!
"String Quartet"
I wanted to write a piece using the classical string quartet ensemble (2 violins, viola, and cello), but I took artistic liberty and added a celesta into the mix. I wrote the opening notes of this composition with an absolutely clear mind; I had no desired direction for the music, no style I wanted to imitate...I just wrote. I'm really happy with the way it turned out and hopefully you will be too. Thanks for listening!
Thank you for listening to these few selections. I have much more music to share (both written and still up there in my head). Please check back as I will periodically change what pieces are on the site. Also, comments/feedback/criticism would be greatly appreciated!
Copr. Chris Porter 2004-2009
Please visit this composer's page: www.myspace.com/benjaminjosephbelloli. You won't regret it!
Just signed up and submitted my 5 star rating!! very good track Chris..... but i would expect no less from you.... lookn forward to hearing more of your new music in 09....
Music is big and strong like the Sun: warms the coldest days,
illuminates the most beautiful days, it reaches all the places in the world....
and we can't do without!
:-)
Alexx B. & Elix England - Sistem.b
After playing all of the RPG compositions for my uncle he was very impressed (he got me into playing RPGs FFVI being the first). I did the same thing with him as I did my Zach (my oldest) and he too could identify "where" they songs would fit. Great Job! They just keep getting better and better, and have helped me write more of the game. I have a new area I have added into it as well. I will tell you more about it later. Sean should hear the mp3 versions within the next few days. I will have him call you when he does. Later man.
I've listened to your two latest works. I don't have time for a detailed response at the moment, but I am impressed with the progress you've made in terms of discovering your own voice. Keep it up.
i should have read your description of encounter before i posted the first time. It's perfect battle music, its not over aggressive and it's intense and smooth. I respect the fact that you don't loop your melodies, it adds quality. I hope an RPG developer takes notice to you cause your style of music should to be in the genre
I like the new track...it definitely has that old-school RPG feel to it! Very nice. And yeah...WAV files always do sound better don't they? Thanks for sharing your music w/the world...keep it up! ;)
i don't think i've heard the most recent three. but anything you wanna send is cool. it'd be awesome to add you to my iTunes. =] my email address is sydneyxroxx@aol.com.
i've been amazing! =] just finishing up school here on tuesday then taking off to cedar point for the summer. i'm going to be working out there so if you plan on visiting the park, let me know! it'd be awesome to see you. how are you doing sir?
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