An Inspired Chat with Chase Bethea

We recently had the chance to connect with Chase Bethea and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chase, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Inner peace and positivity. I have been magnifying this in the quiet moments. Constantly training and re-programming my mind to be stronger than it’s ever been.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a Multi-Award-Winning Video Game Composer known in the industry as the “Swiss army knife of video game composition.” With over a decade of experience, my task is to write game music that enhances the player’s experience across a diverse range of games. I specialize in composing adaptive music and implementation via directly into the engine or via middle-ware for Mobile, PC and Consoles.

I have been celebrated for my unique fusion of orchestral, electronic, and world music elements, have had my game music performed by ensembles like the Helix Collective, New York Gamer Symphony and other orchestras worldwide. Notable projects include the critically acclaimed soundtracks for I Can’t Escape: Darkness, Aground (NYX Award), Aground Zero (Gold NYX Award and Platinum Award) and On the Peril of Parrots (Gold NYX Award). I have also been celebrated for Black History Month in the U.K. on October 4th and National Video Games Day, September 12th, by Classical Music Indy (radio) where they did an exclusive interview and played my entire 15 soundtrack discography for six consecutive days.

I’m also a dynamic guest speaker and live performer, showcasing my talents at prestigious game conferences such as MAGWest/MAGFest. Over the past three years, I have given more than 60 talks at conferences and colleges, including GDC, PAX, NAMM, Berklee College of Music, DigiPen, Game Devs of Colour, IGDA, Pocket Gamer and MGS at The Strat (104th floor) in Las Vegas.

My contributions to the industry have been recognized with exhibitions in the NAMM Museum and the British Library, and has shared his insights through articles published in multiple global magazines such as Recording Magazine (2xs), GB Studio, ROM, (Read Only Memories) and Fearzine.

Currently, I am scoring a game called “ProtoStar” (2D Platform game inspired by MegaMan X) and a fantasy brawler called “Portal Brawlers”. I’m also releasing at least two more soundtracks this year “Electron Flux” and a couple singles from the “Duppy Detective Tashia Original Soundtrack”.

Finally, I am fundraising for my Grammy campaign to pay for promo costs and expand my reach to many Grammy voters for the Aground Zero soundtrack. I do not have a label, I do not have an agent or a manager. It’s just me. It speaks directly to how everyone can level the playing field of who does and who does not get to participate in this industry.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Trust. Trust is the bond that takes the hardest and longest time to build but takes seconds to break. If there is no trust, there is no relationship. It’s hard to restore it once it has been broken. False accusations and assumptions are the fastest way to destroy trust between two people. A change with the intention of behaviour to rebuild trust with consistency could possibly be the only way to rebuild that bond.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I miss having the muse. Once a creative experiences what it is like to have this, there is nothing like it. You think different, smell different and indite different. There is a specific aura that exudes and the feeling is effortless. So, I pondered is it possible to continue to write great music if you lose your muse? Can it still be achieved if you’re in the flow state? I’m still discovering this answer but I think that the music can still be great. However, it will not be on autopilot either. It’s something in between. You’re writing from confidence and purpose but the distinct thing that changes is the sound you are putting forth.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If they are true friends, they will know it’s legacy. The body of work I have released such as the interviews, blogs, articles, books, video breakdowns, live performances, the soundtracks and more. Legacy is everything because I believe it is the one thing that you truly own and can not be taken from you in “human time”. No matter what, at least, one person in the future will remember.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel at peace knowing I did my best and everyday that I arise I set forth to do that and I do. Peace comes from within. I paid the ultimate price for peace. I rebuilt and recalibrated myself to enact peace every second of the day. Now peace is serenity, silence, and sincerity. Peace is tranquility. I reflect the energy I receive but attract the peace I maintain.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Pixel Greis, Brandi Rollins, Christopher Pang, Rolando Salas

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