Hilary Rawk

Into video games, music and art? If so, be sure to stop by a free show at the Chicago Cultural Center on August 24, featuring producer/DJ Mark DeNardo, of Gamma Bros. fame.

A part of Chicago’s "Art of Play" campaign, the four-part Ohm series is designed to showcase video-game-inspired music and visuals. The event’s designer, Brian Keigher, says the Chicago Cultural Center has become a hangout for people of a younger generation as of late: "It's really a cultural mecca for any urbanite, hipster or culture vulture."

Mark DeNardo will create live Chip Tune music, which he says was "Inspired by living in New York, and monsters," on his laptop, Gameboy and guitar, while visual artists Pixeljam, Baseshot Scenario and 3pHaze project visual images.

DeNardo grew up surrounded by music. "I was born into a music family," he says. "Both parents have some amateur music background and sang with a group of friends in a church-folk choir…I played in a couple bands in high school [and] college that never went anywhere but were really fun."

He enjoyed playing video games from a young age. "I played the Atari, TI994A and Commodore 64 when I was real little," he recalls. "I used to like to play Asteroids and Galaga in the arcade."

When asked how music affects the experience of a video game, DeNardo explains, "Music is the emotional element in a game. The soundtrack that sets the scene…Music is not a separate element in a game. It is the game…When people started playing Gamma Bros., many commented how there was not that much music in the first level, or that the game-play seemed slow. When the game increases in difficulty in the second level and when bosses appear, the music increases. Also, in the third level, there is music with every screen and wave of enemies. This increase of music and difficulty is a good example of how music needs to be seamless and a part of the gaming experience."

Just as stimulating as the influences he cites: "Kittens, karate, comics, mythology, movies, sleeping, children, cities, forests…Monsters and ninjas and robots and stuff."

Mark DeNardo joins visual artists Pixeljam, Baseshot Scenario and 3pHaze at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Cassidy Theater, 78 East Washington, (312)744-6630, on August 24 at 7pm. Free, all ages. Visit chicagoculturalcenter.org for more info.

(2007-08-21)

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