Deep Burnt

Behind the scenes of the new compilation exploring classic Japanese videogame music.

As E312’s interview with DJ/producer Ikonika showed, early videogame music is a recurring influence on contemporary electronic musicians. Further proof of that comes from a new compilation, Diggin’ In The Carts: A Collection Of Pioneering Japanese Electronic Music, that releases on Hyperdub on November 17. Building on the documentary series of the same name that Nick Dwyer wrote and co-directed for Red Bull Music Academy in 2014, this 34-track compilation shows how the importance of this vital time for games and their soundtracks grows more and more as time passes. Here, Dwyer and Hyperdub boss Steve ‘Kode9’ Goodman reflect on the assembly of a very different kind of dance compilation.

How important is videogame music to Hyperdub in general?