Industries

Video Game Composer Tommy Talarico Joins Forces with the ASO for VIDEO GAMES LIVE!

September 28, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

I played a lot of video games in high school. The arcade at lunch (Gauntlet and Galaga were my favorites) followed by the couch at my best friend Dustin’s house after school (Laser Gates on the Atari). My how things have progressed. This issue we catch up with a gentleman who has been helping that progression on the music front. Our interview with Tommy Talarico is in preparation to hear what that sounds like live and in person when he joins the Albany Symphony Orchestra for the internationally acclaimed Video Games LIVE performance in early October 2023.

Tommy Talarico Plays Video Games Live | Photo: Provided

Please state your name, where you are from and profession / title.

Tommy Tallarico – Born and raised in Springfield, MA but have been living in Southern California for over 3 decades. Have been a video game composer and sound designer for over 33 years. I started Video Games Live over 20 years ago (2002) and have performed over 525 shows in 42 countries around the world.

Video game music is kind of specialized, how did you get into this profession, what was the path for you?

My two greatest loves growing up were video games and music. But I never thought I could ever put the two together because there was no such thing as a video game composer in the 70’s! When I was 21 I got in my car and drove to California. I was homeless, didn’t have any friends out there, no job, etc. The day I got there I picked up a newspaper and got a job at Guitar Center selling keyboards. The first customer who walked in the following day was a producer who worked for Richard Branson who was starting a Virgin video game company. I was wearing a video game t-shirt so we struck up a conversation and he gave me a job as a video game tester. I was in California about 3 days and was already in the video game industry. I would beg and bug the Vice-President of the company to let me do music when needed. They gave me a shot to translate, compose and do sound design for the Gameboy version of Prince of Persia, which was a huge game at the time. I won a bunch of awards while at Virgin so they made me the full time audio person. In 1994 I left Virgin after 4 years and started my own company so I could do contracts for all the different game companies.

Can you give us some highlights, interesting projects and games you have worked on. Any favorites?

There was a big game in the early to mid 90’s called Earthworm Jim that myself and 8 friends created and worked on together. We were the same group of guys who had done the award winning Cool Spot and Disney’s Aladdin video games for the Sega Genesis. Creating something on our own, with good friends and something for which we owned a part of and became hugely successful, was definitely a highlight. Doing the audio design for Tony Hawk’s Pro-Skater was also a great experience as none of us working on the project at the time had any idea on how successful it was going to be.

Working with Stan Lee on Spider-Man, working with the original Sonic team on a Sonic game and helping the original Guitar Hero team get tracks from the music industry were also big highlights. Two of the biggest highlights though were working with my two biggest childhood heroes. I worked with Muhammad Ali over a 6 month period in 1992 for the Muhammad Ali boxing game on the Sega Genesis and then a year later in 1993 I worked with Slyvestor Stallone for a week on the Demolition Man video game. They were both a dream come true and I have so many incredible stories about both.

What inspired you to move from the console to the real world symphonic environment? Any special moments to share in this area?

I always wanted to use REAL instruments for video game music. In fact, one of the first times a real guitar was used in a video game was for The Terminator game on the Sega-CD. The technology made this possible because instead of having to store everything into a small game cartridge, you could now just record real music and real instruments and have it play off of a CD! I remember some of the producers from the game feeling a little shocked that the rock music we were doing was “real” and that it didn’t match the 16-bit graphics of the game. They felt at the time that it sounded out of place. Only because they had never really heard real music with a video game before. Luckily, the soundtrack to The Terminator ended up winning multiple BEST MUSIC Awards throughout the industry. Once the CD technology arrived, it ended up becoming the norm moving forward.

A lot of you people into music fantasize about having their work in a video game. Any suggestions on how to break into that arena?

Yes! For sure! Join the Game Audio Network Guild or G.A.N.G. as it is commonly referred to. It is a non-profit organization I founded over 20 years ago. So much great information and networking one could do by joining.

You’ll also want to attend the Game Sound Conference which happens once a year in Los Angeles and the Game Developers Conference which happens once a year in San Francisco.

Like most careers, networking is a HUGE part in getting your foot in the door and becoming successful.

Anything on the radar that you would like to share with us? It can be more than one thing!

I would encourage people to please check out our six Video Games Live albums. I think that most people who aren’t familiar with video game music will get a huge surprise as to the quality. That is why Video Games Live has become so popular and successful over two decades. The music and the experience is really for everyone, not just hardcore gamers. The storylines, visuals, characters and of course the MUSIC is really exemplary in every sense of the word. Some of the greatest letters and e-mails we’ll get after a performance are from the non-gamers in the audience saying… “I never knew!“

You can also catch me in Albany on Sunday, October 8 playing with the Albany Symphony Orchestra…see you there!

EDITORS NOTE: Click on the image below for tickets. Use code : ACE20 for a 20% discount!

Video Games Live with the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Sunday, October 8th 2023 at 7:30 PM.

Marvel Writer Ryan Little on Deck for First Annual 1UpState Gaming Conference

September 28, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

You may have noticed that at ACE! we like to cover writers. This month is a special treat as I got to chat a bit about what it’s like to be in the universe of comics and film with Ryan Little who works on a couple of different series for Marvel Studios. Ryan will be in town for the upcoming 1UpState Video Game Conference so it seemed like a good time to catch up and get some tips how young aspiring writers can break into the biz.

Ryan Little : TV and Comic Writer, Story Editor | Photo: Provided

Please state your name, where you are from and profession / title. Tell us a bit about what you do.

I’m Ryan Little, a TV and comic writer from the small town of Easton, Pennsylvania. In the last five years, I’ve written 21 episodes of TV for Marvel Studios. I co-created the series ‘I Am Groot‘, serving as the Story Editor for both seasons, and wrote on ‘What If‘ Seasons 2 and 3. Most notably, I was tapped to create an entirely new section of the Marvel Cinematic Universe which introduces the indigenous hero, Kahhori. In the graphic novel space, I’ve run 31 successful Kickstarters that have grossed over $100K in sales and shipped to 33 countries globally. This October, my title Super Scouts is arriving to brick and mortar shops via CEX.

Marvel Studios : I Am Groot | Image: Provided

A lot of writers would love to be doing what you are doing. How did you get into this profession, what was the path for you?

I have bad news. I didn’t catch lightning in a bottle or write that one glorious script that cracked open the doors of Hollywood. I did things the long, slow, hard way. I got my foot in the door as an unpaid intern and spent the next year climbing the ladder. My advice? Most folks I meet in LA writing circles aren’t willing to do the long hard road. And most of them never break in. If you want to be a write, get in the mix and take any job that moves you closer to the creative work you want to be doing.

Marvel Studios : What If… | Image: Provided

Can you give us some highlights, interesting projects you have worked on. Any favorites?

I’m immensely proud of the ten I Am Groot shorts I made for Disney+. They’re just some quality sci-fi fun. My proudest work, however, is creating Kahhori and a whole new corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe filled with indigenous heroes which will be debuting in ‘What If’ Season 2.

Marvel Studios : I Am Groot *and* What If…Kahhori | Images: Provided

Any projects that you are especially jazzed about or can give us an inside peek on coming down the pike?

I can’t wait for everyone to see my episodes in What If Seasons 2 and 3. I’m also always putting out new graphic novels through my imprint, Plastic Sword Press.

On Saturday, October 21 (2023) I will be making an appearance in person speaking at the 1UpState Gaming Conference in Albany, NY at the Albany Capital Center. Hope to see you there!

EDITORS NOTE: Click Here To Purchase Tickets to the 1UpState Gaming Conference. ACE! will be there!

Ryan Little’s Plastic Sword Press | Image: Provided

Leigh Wen : International Provenance, Local Roots

August 31, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

The first memory I have of meeting Leigh Wen was at an Albany Center Gallery gala held in the amazing Union Station building in downtown Albany. She had a live auction piece that went for I believe a couple thousand dollars. (I picked up an Averill Greene painting that same night and regretfully, missed out on a Nadia Trinkala painting…) Over the years I have had brief moments with her, once in her studio in Albany and a few years later I believe in Beacon, NY for a Friendsgiving event. Now a sought after international artist who’s work and commissions can surpass $100K, she once again is participating in the area with a fundraising collaboration with Tony Iadicicco‘s team at the Albany Center Gallery. A very busy woman, she was kind enough to share some insight into her work and process.

Please state your name, occupation and background.

Leigh Wen, Artist, I was born in Taipei, Taiwan and currently reside in New York City, I received my BFA from Washington State University and MFA from the State University of New York at Albany. I’ve exhibited nationally and internationally since the 1980’s.

Leigh Wen’s FIRE Series | Image: Provided

What would you say is the motivation or inspirational seed for your creative direction?

Nature is the motivation for my creative direction, I paint what I see and apply color intuitively depending on how I feel in the moment. A lot of my work relates to natural elements and themes of nature.

From the words of Independent Curator and Arts Writer Sarah Tanguy:

“Lines, in Leigh Wen’s art, are the defining agent. They form the hidden pulse and layered score of all the paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works…Etched deep into the surface, they spring and scamper across lush passages of graduated colors, distilling nature’s underlying forces into energized patterns of concentrated beauty.“

I find that while working I go into a deep state of concentration and meditation. Color is used to expand the work’s emotional range; my palette is drawn not from appearances but from the lyric and psychic necessities of my art. The uniformity of line, from edge to edge and painting to painting, implies suppression of the artists hand in favor of objectivity learned from nature.

Leigh Wen Working and Fire Dress | Photos: Provided

You have been involved with ACG for many years now…what keeps you connected with the gallery?

ACG held my first show after finishing graduate school and it was very well supported and received. I received a lot of recognition after showing there, including being awarded with the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, NYFA, and Helena Rubinstein grants all in the same year. I still have a lot of friends in the Capital district, and still consider it my home.

Leigh Wen’s ‘Iceberg V’ : 2019 Oil on Linen | Photo: Provided

Anything coming up that you would like to share?

I will be having a solo show in Chelsea, NYC at Fremin Gallery opening on November 16. I will also be participating in the Art Taipei and Art Miami Art Fair. Locally, I am participating in a sweepstakes with ACG as well to help raise funds for the gallery.

Leigh Wen’s Reproduction of ‘Peony,’ (2 of 10 Tables) is being offered in a sweepstakes to benefit the Albany Center Gallery | Photo: Provided

EDITORS NOTE: For those interested in a deep dive on Leigh’s amazing story I have included her official bio here below.

In 1979, she won the First Prize in Painting in the Ten Outstanding Young Talents Competition in Taiwan. In 1980, she was awarded Outstanding Merit in the Young Artists in Asia Now competition in Hong Kong. In 1995 and 1996, her work was selected in many national and international jury shows including the ninth and tenth Parkside National Small Print Exhibition, Large Small Work ’95 International, Small Works International and the First Annual National Juried Small Work Exhibition in New York, NY. These shows are highly competitive and are chosen from thousands of submissions.

Leigh won the SUNY Albany Purchase Award in 1995 the University of Wisconsin Purchase Award in the 1995 Parkside National Small Print Exhibition. She was also awarded an Artist Grant by the National Taiwan Art and Humanity Foundation in support of her solo exhibitions in the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. A catalog entitled The Harbour and the Open Sea was published by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. Leigh was awarded a 1997 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship. In 1997 she was honored with “The Artist Award of 1997” by the New York State Assembly.

Leigh Wen’s ‘Midsummer Glim V’ : 2019 Oil on Linen

In 1998, Leigh’s work was selected by juror Linda Weintraub to be included in The New York State Biennale Exhibition at The New York State Museum. Also, Juror Lela Hersh, Director of Exhibitions and Collections at the Chicago Contemporary Museum of Art, selected Leigh’s work for inclusion in the annual Mohawk Hudson Region Juried Exhibition. Leigh received First Prize. Her painting, Untitled #6, was purchased by the Albany Institute of History & Art for the permanent collection.

In 1999 and 2005 she was awarded Artist Grants by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation. Since 1999, her paintings have been selected to be part of the Art in Embassies Program of the United States Department of State and have been exhibited in the U.S. Embassies in Jordan, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Botswana, Barbados, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Namibia, Denmark, and Poland. Over 15 American Embassies around the world. In mid-2019 her works were inquired by US Embassy in Botswana for exhibition and a cultural exchange program with Botswana Culture Bureau is scheduled. In 2019 summer a solo exhibition is invited by Farglory Museum, Taipei, Taiwan. It opens on July 13, 2019. Additional international exhibitions include – America University Art Museum, Washington D.C. in 2021, and the Bangkok Art And Culture Centre, Bangkok, Thailand in 2022.

Leigh Wen’s ‘Midsummer Glim VII’ : 2019 Oil on Linen | Photo: Provided

Hundreds of her works were included in both private and public collections. Her paintings had been featured in many major magazines including Art in America, New American Paintings, Art in Asia, Sotheby’s Auction Magazine, Christy’s Auction Magazine, Better Home and Gardens, Harper’s Bazaar, Architecture, Water Front Home and Design, San Diego Home and Garden and Interior, Art Trade Journal and Marie Claire, Taiwan.

AVERY STEMPEL ON THINGS MYCOLOGICAL AND SUPPORTING UNBRIDLED CREATIVITY

July 27, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

I first encountered Avery about 10 years ago at a poetry reading event produced by a mutual friend, Maria Diotte of Bliss Arts at the old Fulton Street Gallery in Troy. He was hard to forget, a dynamic performance artist with a heart of gold. Impressively, he has found a way to combine all things art and community at his indoor urban vertical mushroom farm, mycological education center, and community gathering space. This includes live music, poetry events and creative making workshops to yoga, artisan dining and political activism, and that’s just scratching the surface. I would say unequivocally that he is one of the most renaissance creatives I have ever met.

Avery Stemple – *Owner / Operator* of Collar City Mushrooms in Troy, NY | Photo: Corey Aldrich

Please state your name, company and position. How big is your company? Can you also tell us a little about your background?

My name is Avery Stempel, I am the owner operator of Collar City Mushrooms, an indoor urban vertical mushroom farm, mycological education center, and community gathering space in Troy, NY. Our operation occupies 3,500 square feet on .33 of an acre in a structure that was originally built as a Brewery. We employ a mix of 10 part-time and full-time team members as well as run an internship program for folks interested in getting their hands into the mycelium as part of an educational experience. I grew up on a family sawmill in the Helderberg Mountains and was constantly immersed in the natural world. The secret lives of fungi have always fascinated me. I graduated from Siena College with a degree in philosophy and received two master’s degrees in education from Sage Graduate School. During my professional life I oscillated between performing arts and teaching. I’ve worked at Capital Repertory Theater, The Egg, and EMPAC at RPI. I’ve also hit the spotlight myself as a poet, musician, and actor.

Sam Armour – *Lead Mushroom Travel Coordinator* at Collar City Mushrooms | Photo: Corey Aldrich

All Books Mycological for Sale at Collar City Mushrooms in Troy, NY | Photo: Corey Aldrich

What is the mission of Collar City Mushroom? What type of clients do you serve? Partnerships and retail partners?

When CCM opened, it was important for me to combine all my passions under one roof. The three pillars of our mission are to educate, enrich, and entertain. We provide opportunities for people to eat nutritious whole foods, learn about the mushroom growing process, and enjoy creativity in all its various forms. Our gourmet mushrooms are used in many restaurants in the area and available direct to consumers through Albany’s Honest Weight Food Co-Op, Saratoga’s Healthy Living Market, the New Lebanon Farmers Market, and right from our farm store at 333 2nd Ave in Lansinburgh. We also produce a variety of value-added products and co-creations we’ve curated with other small businesses. We’ve partnered with Indian Ladder Farms to make both a cider and a beer including mushrooms, Primo-Botanica to create a non-psychedelic mushroom and cacao drink, and Kru Coffee for a canned ready to consume lion’s mane infused cold brew coffee. We are a “yes-and” company. We want our community to be able to share their products and ideas for experiences.

Collar City Mushrooms Collaborative Product with Primo Botanica | Photo: Provided

Collar City Mushrooms Collaborative Products with Kru Coffee and Indian Ladder Farms | Photos: Provided

You incorporate a lot of creativity and collaboration into the fabric of CCM. Can you share a bit about the creative side of what you have going on in the programming?

We have hosted poetry performances, makers markets, meditation sessions, yoga classes, knitting workshops, mycelium building activities, and a myriad of art centric events. Local creators such as Jade Warrick, Armando Soto, John Zoccoli, Lindsay Kirk, and Jonn Pau l have graced our walls, and musicians such as Sean Rowe, Jeanine Ouderkirk, Stokker, Nick Bisanz, the Deadbeats Duo, Kenyatta Emmanuel, and Malicious Offense have entertained our guests. Growing incredibly beautiful mushrooms is an art. Converting them into mind-bendingly delicious foods is an art. Crafting mushroom sculptures is an art. Life is art. We continually surround ourselves with creativity in process and welcome others to do the same!

Nicholas Waunsch – *Mycelial Maestro* at Collar City Mushrooms | Photo: Corey Aldrich

Outdoor Dining Event at Collar City Mushrooms in Troy, NY | Photo: Provided

I see your constantly connecting, touring and talking with legislators, what goals are you trying to accomplish on the political front?

In addition to growing a myriad of culinary and medicinal mushrooms, we are also advocating for legal access to psilocybin containing mushrooms. We founded the New York Psilocybin Action Committee and adopted leadership of New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives. We have met with dozens of NY lawmakers at our farm and in the Capitol as we strategize ways to end the criminalization of people attempting to heal using natural psychedelics. The wave of evidence pouring from hundreds of research projects around the world shows the efficacy of psilocybin to relieve stress, process trauma, ease anxiety, and even break the cycle of addiction. We are working towards a future where psilocybin containing mushrooms will be a legal option for people’s healing journeys and well care routines. We are also advocating for greater understanding of urban vertical farming in city communities. With growing interest in local-vore diets and shorter supply chains, more projects such as ours are opening across the country. The need to streamline approval processes and applications for support will be critical for the future’s food supply production.

Current Photo Exhibition by MYCO-Fox through 09.30.2023

Any exciting pieces of programming you would like to share with our audience?

Currently we have a show up by photographer MYCO-Fox that will be up through September 30th.

Coming up in August we have two Death Metal shows, one on August 5th and one on August 26th, a Poetry Open Mic on August 13th, and on Saturday, August 19th Chef Haseim Townsend from Organa Juice Bar will be curating a dinner as part of our monthly dinner program. A bit further down the road we have a dinner event at SPAC as part of their culinary arts program called “A Mushroom Experience.” This November 4th event will be a multiple course meal featuring mushroom music, mushroom photography, and mushroom sculptures! Follow our social media for all the latest updates.

Avery Stemple – *Primary Pleurotus* at Collar City Mushrooms | Photo: Corey Aldrich

Albany Artisans : A Philosophical Approach to Restoration

May 31, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

It all began when I started seeing an unrecognized acorn logo and cool images of remodels and restoration work in amazing historic buildings. I think the Instagram algorithm recommended Albany Artisans to me due to my connection with Kelsea Adams (Currently a Project Manager for the firm), a previous Electric City Couture alum. So…I had my eye out with some future thought of finding out who these folks were, what their story was. Then as luck would have it, I got an introduction to firm founder Christopher Hacker by Michelle Toch Dinsmore of Overit Media with a strong recommendation that we should connect…and so we did.

Christopher Hacker – *Owner / Founder* at Albany Artisans | Photo Credit : Corey Aldrich

Can you please state your name, title and what you do. How long has Albany Artisans been in existence? What is the mission and motivation?

I am Christopher Hacker, I am a carpenter, and I am the owner of Albany Artisans. Together with Project Manager Kelsea Adams we manage a team that practices the art of historic restoration and the revival of historic homes. As a restorer and preservationist I believe “You should participate in the lineage of your home.”

It’s kinda funny to say this now, but I was a preservationist before I knew what a preservationist was, though I certainly do know now. In 1997 I took an apprenticeship with a carpenter who was restoring 604 Madison Ave. I had no experience in the trade. Honestly, I needed a job, and with that turn of events it grew into a livelihood that then flourished into passion.

Recent Preservation Merit Awards (2019 / 2021) | Christopher Hacker and Kelsea Adams
Photo : Provided

26 years ago with the encouragement of my mentor, I acquired my family’s generational home. We envisioned making the space into an artisans guild right here in Albany. At that time I was making and repairing stained glass windows, though my bread and butter came from restoration carpentry.

It was a big deal when we found the 1920 ‘s architectural drawings for this home, which are hanging on my wall today. These drawings gave us the ability to rebuild the front porch as originally intended. This was the first time I presented a proposed project to the Historic Resource Commission. They loved the intent to re-build it just the way it once was, (Actually I remember them being more interested in who the architect was). We were given the green light….and Albany Artisans was born.

Currently we’re a team of 8, I believe that our shared attitude, approach and passion attracts others to join up with the Artisans. I am proud to share that I was nominated and joined the commission in 2020.

Minton Tile Restoration Process at the New York State Capitol | Photo : Provided

Any projects that you are especially proud of?

I would say having the opportunity to work in and walk the halls of the New York State Capitol. (Restoring original Minton tiles that had been covered in carpet/glue) Also, the Marcus T Reynolds Superintendent House in Albany Rural Cemetery.

For me the largest accomplishment is being chosen as the Construction Manager of the Saratoga Sword Surrender Site where I was working directly with the National Park System at the Saratoga Battlefield.

Facade Restoration and Replacement Doors | Photo : Provided

Any interesting projects you are working on currently that you would like to share?

The restoration of the Turner Farmhouse, which has been added to the National Historic Registry of Historic Places. Outside of the norm we’ve recently been asked to revive a 1930’s train caboose which was left on an historic property south of Albany overlooking the Hudson…Wild, we’re in! Additionally, we are running a concurrent team that is in the middle of a bathroom remodel at a silo house in Chatham.

Christopher Hacker Gets Philosophical | Photo Credit : Corey Aldrich

I see you have degrees in Philosophy and Anthropology. So many things are laser focused these days, I feel that can be limiting. Can you talk a little bit about the benefits of having a bigger vision in what you do?

True, I do have a Philosophy and Anthropology degree. Aristotle’s empiricism, and thoughts on potentiality and actualization grabbed hold of me, I believe we are products of our environment. We’re always processing sensory information from our shared environment. We all uniquely make our own connections to the past, be it a city park, a particular building, a corner store or curved glass window.

We feel a big sense of loss when these cherished spaces are destroyed by fire or demolition, and carted off to the landfill.

Since our inception I would say everything that we have accomplished and learned contributes to the next restoration project. The beauty of an old house is its unpredictability and we are always ready to learn more.

Albany Artisans Team Members on the Job | Photo Credit : Corey Aldrich

Bonus question…anything we should know about that you have coming up in the near future? Goals?

I would like to restore the James Hall Office. which is a National Historic Landmark in Albany’s Lincoln Park. He is considered the father of modern paleontology. He dug the mastodon from the Cohoes Falls and was also the first Director of the New York State Museum, I would like to have a part in creating a Discovery center as a historic adaptive re-use, highlighting his lineage of mentorship.

Second, be to find a personal assistant and continue to build the Albany Artisans Army! Any takers? Drop me a note… albanyartisans(@)gmail.com.

Albany Artisans | Photo Credit : Corey Aldrich