Music boy
FIREBRAND Boy is an exciting new music producer who uses unusual instruments to create mind-blowing sounds.
Also known as Philip Cunningham, of Shawlands, he's specialising in the eight-bit beats of chiptune.
This intriguing new genre, gaining notoriety in Japan and New York, uses Nintendo Game Boys, Commodore 64s and Atari computer systems to create unusual soundscapes.
Philip has now ditched classical guitar — which he had been writing with before — for the futuristic sound.
He told Scene: "In 2004 I found the Japanese chiptune news site VORC. I remember my mind grinding to a halt when trying to comprehend the enormity of the idea of making music on video game systems and in particular on the Game Boy".
Since this epiphany, Philip has been steadily gaining respect among his peers across Scotland and has played Glasgow's indie-hangout Nice'n'Sleazy.
His new stage persona may sound an unlikely moniker but Philip explained: "Firebrand was the character from my favourite Game Boy game, Gargoyle's Quest .
"The music was composed by Yoko Shimomura and she is probably responsible for my love of the Game Boy's soundchip".
He added: "The combination of the action and music is so seamless and perfect".
Firebrand Boy's recent EP was inspired by the southside which he describes as "a treasure, nicer than the westend — and without the snobbery".
And tracks on southside are named after the likes of Queen's Park and Albert Avenue.
He enthused: "The southside is just full of a great, diverse, group of people and steeped in history. I've had so many fantastic -- and not so fantastic -- experiences living here and wanted to express those highs and lows musically".
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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