An Interview with Ben Daglish
Which other C64 composers did you respect?
Rob, mainly. I didn't actually listen to a lot of others. Martin I liked for his sounds, but he wasn't as musical as Rob.
Which non Ben Daglish Sids did you like?
My favourite was always 'Master of Magic' - I was so disappointed to find out it was ripped off 😊)
Which tunes that you composed were you most proud of?
Proud… funny word… Trap was my first 'full-length' composition with intro and codas and everything… I was quite proud of that. I also liked FOFT (don't think I did it on the C64, it was an ST game, but me and a mate also recorded a 'studio' version on tape to go in the box.)
How did the idea of W.E.M.U.S.I.C take shape?
Tony & I wanted to make money writing music for games….needed a company - simple as that.
While talking to many c64 remix arrangers Trap
is often mentioned as being one of their favourite tunes, Why do you think this is?
Like I said above, it's quite a biggie, with lots of little bits… I was definately on an 'orchestral' kick at the time…
Ben Daglish is often well known as a C64 composer, but you did work on many other formats. Why did you stop composing computer music?
A few reasons. Years of working on 3 voice chips started doing my head in…..but also the industry had changed - it was all blokes in suits 'selling boxes'.
I recently heard a Beta version of Trap for the forthcoming Back In Time 3 CD. (which I can tell you, I was mightily impressed) What can you tell our readers about this remake?
I went down to see Chris for a day - we jammed arounnd, and I sketched out a few ideas for how I thought Trap should be treated, which Chris recorded and subsequently did a mighty fine job of extrapolating (forgive the pun) and completing. He played me the 'beta' versiona couple of weeks ago, and I suggested a few refinements, but basically the work was all done by Chris.
How did you come to work with Chris on his BIT 3 album?
Er… he asked me. 😊
What are your early impressions on the Bit3 CD?
I like it.
What do you think about the Bitlive idea?
Great! I'm looking forward to it.
Do you miss the c64, or did you just treat it as a job?
I never 'miss' anything - I enjoyed working on the C64, just like I enjoy conducting, or enjoy doing childrens workshops - for me, it has always been about music, rather than how the music was done.
Ben Daglish was and still is a highly respected composer. Tony Crowther also was a highly respected programmer, What was the background to your partnership?
Well documented elsewhere, but basically we went to school together - knew each other from being 14/15.
Are you surprised that the C64 Music scene still lives on, after all this time?
Yes!
What did you like/dislike about the sid chip?
Likes - marvellous sounds… analogue feel.
Dislikes/Challenges - limited polyphony, to say the least… non-standard filter circuits (you never had ANY idea how it was gonna sound on another machine…)
How do you feel about arrangers remixing your work, and is there one single track that has made an impression on you?
It's great - nice to be appreciated without having to work for it myself………….As to track…well, I quite liked 'Deflektor' with the 'dayodayo'… I fancy playing on that live someday 😊
Will you be working on any more remixes of your music for the future BIT CD’s?
Probably - assuming people still buy them.
If there was a tune that you have not composed that you would have liked to have claimed as your own, what would it be and why?
Beethoven's Fifth - but I reckon I'd be found out.
Ben Daglish was known for creating feel good music, was this your intention?
Yup. That's me - feelgood bouncy Benn.
Have you ever considered returning to composing computer music?
Not really… maybe if the right job came up.
What were your fondest memories of the c64?
The scene - getting blasted at a show then going back to Minter's for Star Wars…..etc.
Was there a tune you made for a software house that you knew was sub standard?
Many many many.
Are you going to name some?
Nope
Why did you start composing music on the c64?
Because Tony asked me to.
So, if it wasn't for Tony, do you think you would be here Today?
Depends upon your take on Fate and all that - I'd still be Here, Now… just with a bunch of different There, Thens… maybe if Tony hadn't asked, somebody else would have the next day… who can tell?
What are your thoughts on the state of music in modern games?
Same as my thoughts on modern music… on all music in fact - some good, some bad - generally the more commercial, the poorer.
What was it like working with Rob Hubbard on the music for Auf W. Monty
, did you have any disagreements, or was it plain sailing?
Nope - it was all great fun. Just spent a few days jamming - what more could you want?
Lastly what is Ben Daglish doing now, and what does the future hold for you?
I'm being a dad & husband, an actor, a rock musician, a PERL programmer, a director of R&D for an ISP, a workshop leader, session player and sleeping whenever I get the chance.
- Neil
