Dropsy with Jay Tholen and Chris Schlarb – PA103

Dropsy video game music Chris Schlarb and Jay Tholen pixelated audio episode 103

Developed by Tendershoot and A Jolly Corpse and published by Devolver Digital in 2015, Dropsy: A Point and Click Hugventure is the story of one clown’s journey to make the world a better place. Take a mellow journey through various locales with your animal buddies and a fittingly chilled out soundtrack.

We’re thrilled to have both the creator Jay Tholen and lead composer Chris Schlarb join us for a lively discussion about this surprisingly genuine story and talk about our shared love of 90s adventure games.


Jay Tholen is the creator and co-composer of Dropsy. The pastel 90s aesthetic of Dropsy can also be found throughout his upcoming game Hypnospace Outlaw where you explore an alternate 1999 internet, and if you’re not careful you might just learn something. When he’s not developing games, Jay writes music. In fact he’s written 20 albums and counting which you can find on his Bandcamp page and he’ll often explore the soundscape of his games years before they become a reality.

 

Chris Schlarb is a guitarist with an impressive resume; he’s worked with some of the biggest indie groups like Wilco, The Mars Volta, The Minutemen, and Sufjan Stevens. In addition to Dropsy, he also wrote the music for the game NightSky by Nicalis. Chris runs his own recording studio Big Ego Studios in Long Beach, CA, and he’s the leader of a genre breaking indie group Psychic Temple. Check out more of their fantastic music at Chris’ Bandcamp page.


The Dropsy Soundtrack
composed by Chris Schlarb

Dropsy: Eternal Hug EP
composed by Jay Tholen, contains additional tracks in the game

 

Also mentioned in the episode is Twilight & Ghost Stories, Chris Schlarb’s Debut album

Dropsy – (Behind the Scenes)  – A short video in the studio during the Dropsy recording session


Episode Track List:

  • 0:00:00 Eternal Hug Pt. 2 – Jay Tholen
  • 0:21:55 In The Court of the Junkyard King – Chris Schlarb
  • 0:41:00 Home Is Where The Pulmonary Artery Is – Chris Schlarb
  • 0:42:38 Dropsy Theme – Chris Schlarb, arranged by Jay Tholen
  • 0:53:54 Kierkegaard’s Neon Lights – Chris Schlarb
  • 1:10:38 Mothersbaugh on the Beach – Chris Schlarb
  • 1:22:04 Last of the Lonely Tumbleweeds – Chris Schlarb
  • 1:27:12 144 Gears Marching in 14/4 – Chris Schlarb
  • 1:31:11 White Dub in the Psychic Temple – Chris Schlarb
  • 1:48:34 Theme Park – Jay Tholen
  • 1:58:24 Lee’s Vampire Dub – Chris Schlarb

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