@CARVEDSPINES - @Aalasteir (Q) - Index
Q: How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as a video game music composer first and foremost, but also as a game dev in general. Since the age of 5 I was telling my parents that I wanted to grow up and make video games. Overall, I'm an artist that wants to make media that changes the way the player sees the world around them; media that changes lives.
Q: Why is Sonic 2 on the Sega Genesis your favorite game on the system? What other games would you consider your favorites, and what do you enjoy about the Sonic the Hedgehog soundtrack? How has it inspired your music?
Sonic 2's my favorite not only because of the music, but the fact that it was one of the first games I've ever played. I remember playing it as a wee lad on my Nintendo DS and being enthralled with the soundtrack, thinking "I want to make this." The biggest inspiration for my music though, is actually Toby Fox's Undertale and Deltarune. I use the same soundfonts and techniques Toby does in his music while adding my own twist to it. My favorite part of all 3 of these game's OSTs is their instrumentation.
Q: How would you describe your father who was an Air Force Vet? How was your family life?
Unfortunately my father passed away this year in March. Our family life was very hard as he dealt with PTSD and the trauma of the Gulf War in which he served in. He was very mentally unstable and abusive but I don't blame him anymore. I hope he rests well. To add, The Cycle of Abuse is a very real thing and is what WALKER COUNTY's narrative is driven around. I experienced it firsthand through my father.
Q: What is it like living with bipolar disorder and ADHD while currently staying at a homeless shelter? You mention that these two conditions sound bad, but you assure they are not. Why is that?
The Bipolar Disorder is medicated. I'm taking a cocktail of meds to keep me grounded to reality and to control any irrational, sometimes psychotic thoughts I may have. The ADHD is something I've learned to deal with by now, being diagnosed at age six. As for the homeless shelter, it's a very nice, inclusive space where I can be myself so I never really worry about anyone judging me. Mental Health struggles become alot easier to deal with on the right medication.
- Abandoned Hospital Story
Me and my friend during May of last year went to an abandoned hospital called Carraway Hospital located somewhere in Birmingham, Alabama. When we got out of the truck, we smelt a weird...sulfuric smell. I remember looking back at him like, "That's not what I think it is, is it?" and we just fucking BOOKED IT out of there. For reference, demons are supposed to smell like sulfur. Spoooooky.
Q: Why did you and your friend visit an abandoned hospital, and in what ways do you feel the experience has affected you? Do you see the world differently because of it?
We went to the abandoned hospital to get scared, I guess. I really don't know why we did it, we just did. That being said, I see the world so much more differently after it. Call me crazy, I wouldn't blame you, but we encountered something truly evil that night. It was a feeling I can't describe. I'm a lot more open-minded to various spiritualities and religions after that.
Q: Your experiences with the Internet
Young 10 y/o Spencer Davis (me) started his online journey on Google Plus, if you remember that site. It was the wild wild west and it had ZERO moderation. I saw things no 10 y/o should see, lmao. Fast forward to the past 5 years, Google Plus is shut down and I spend most of my time on Discord doing game development and music production with my online friends. It's such a stark difference to what I started out doing.
Q: The story of your username: CARVEDSPINES
CARVEDSPINES is an anagram of SPENCER DAVIS, which is my real name.
Q: How did you become interested in music, and what does music mean to you?
When Deltarune Chapter 1 came out, I loved it to death. So I started making my own music via a website called Beepbox. It's pretty nice, and I learned the bare basics of music with it. But growing up, I've always had an appreciation for good music and an "understanding" on why different songs made me feel different things. I feel as if music theory is etched into my brain from birth. Music means the world to me, because every form of media needs a good soundtrack to make you feel something. Since that's what I want to do with my games, like WALKER COUNTY or SPEEDIN' SHOTGUN for example, making those soundtracks good is very important to me!
Q: Your advice for creating music
Just do it! I'm in a bit of a block right now, music wise. Every time I've ever broken that block is because I said "screw it" and made something on FL STUDIO anyway. It's trial and error, and some people will have a harder time than others when they start out, but keep sticking to it!!! Composing is one of the best talents someone can have. Music is the way to the heart, and being able to make and understand it is so, so important.
Q: Your favourite food
Grilled cheese and ham, son!
Q: Your advice for life
My advice for life is this: Don't Give Up. I've been through the trenches. Before I was medicated, Bipolar Disorder ruined my life in every way it could. Life is fucking tough, but you should never give up because, and take it from me, there IS a silver lining! There IS hope! There IS a reason to keep going! Go create something you and others would love. Take control of your own emotions, take charge of your own life, and keep moving forward!!! You don't owe anyone shit, you only owe yourself a happy life. I hope my dreams of being this big game dev come true so I can prove to everyone reading this that life is truly worth living and that i'm not full of it, lol.