Forum Name:
Tim

Age: 29

Location:
Colorado, USA

Hobbies:
Playing piano
Video Games
Web Design
Sports
Photography

Brief Biography:

I first got into video game music back when I played Final Fantasy III for Super Nintendo. I was simply amazed at how much great music they could pack into a 32 MB cartridge (not to mention such a great game). Future SquareSoft RPGs got me more into game music, but it was only a few years ago that I realized you could actually purchase the soundtracks. I promptly bought the FFIII (FFVI in Japan) soundtrack and was instantly hooked. Since then, I've bought nearly every SquareSoft original, piano collection, and arranged soundtrack available.

Being such a die-hard Square music fan, I decided that I wanted to build a web site devoted to it. I worked on it for a couple of months, but then decided that it wasn't really worth it since there were so many other game music sites out there with more content and information. I had also recently started taking piano lessons, which was something I'd wanted to do my whole life, but could never afford to in the past. That's when I decided that I'd create a site devoted to SquareSoft piano music.

I've now taken piano lessons since June 2001 and have had a great deal of fun with it. Some of the SquareSoft pieces I've learned how to play include "Tina" from the FFVI Piano Collection, "Sleepless City Treno" from the FFIX Doremi book, "Another Aruni Village" from the Chrono Cross OST, and "Aeris' Theme - Reborn" arranged by Michael Huang.

It is my goal to continue work on SquareSound for a long time to come. I hope to make it the only resource you'll ever need for SquareSoft piano music. So far, the site has been a huge success. Thanks to everyone who's visited for all of your help and support! Enjoy the site!

Forum Name:
soapy

Age: 27

Location:
California, USA

Hobbies:
Video Games
Snowboarding
Writing
Photography
Movies

Brief Biography:

I have been playing games for as far back as I can remember, probably around the same time I started taking piano lessons. I have always enjoyed listening to the music that accompanies the games I play, but it really wasn't until I stumbled across SquareSound that fateful day, when I realized they actually had piano sheet music for Final Fantasy. I was so excited, because I had lost interest in the piano for several years and played only because I was teaching. Being able to play my favourite video game music on the piano brought back so many wonderful memories. I played the piano for 10 years starting at the age of 6. After I completed Grade 10 of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada, I taught a few beginner students, and I have been teaching ever since.

I joined the SquareSound forums back in November 2002 and was asked to help moderate the debate forum a couple of months later. I have been a moderator since, contributing reviews whenever I can. I have played almost all the Final Fantasy games that have been released in the US. Since I don't have as much time these days to play an in depth RPG, I do play a wide variety of games on several platforms.

Aside from video games and video game music, I love to snowboard except I need to drive at least 2+ hours to get to Tahoe. In the summer I go to Tahoe and hit the same slopes, this time to go downhill mountain biking. I enjoy learning new things, trying new foods, going to new places, and meeting interesting people. I love animals, especially my dog Bailey. I have a lot of hobbies, except I don't have the time to devote nearly enough attention to each of them. I enjoy reading, writing, and I love eating — especially Japanese food and desserts in general. Once in a while, I'll crave a nice slab of steak and potatoes.

Being a part of Squaresound has allowed me to "meet" many new and different people from all over the world. I am grateful and proud to be a part of this community who share many similar interests. There are plenty of talented musicians, composers, artists, writers, and performers here and you don't even have to look that hard to find them. Everyone who has contributed to this site, in large or small amounts, even the visitors, has made the site what it is today.

Forum Name:
Ronin

Age: 23

Location:
England

Hobbies:
Video Games
Composing
Listening to Music
Playing FFXI

Brief Biography:

Hmm, well. I've been playing games since about the age of 6 when I had an Amstrad Tape and it was about the same time that I got my first keyboard. I didn't really want to have piano lessons though, so I am self taught. I didn't really start noticing video game music until I was about 15-16 when I was taking a music qualification at school. Ironically up until that point I wasn't really interested in music at all, but VG music opened my eyes a bit, with the first game that I listened to the music of out of choice being Final Fantasy 8.

From there on I got more interested in the technological side of music, instead of the more classically orientated theory and this lead to me doing a fair amount of composing in my spare time on various shareware/freeware games. At one point I almost got to collaborate with Andy Brick, who has risen to fame now. I still try to do that when I can now, but I don't have as much time to devote to it as I once did.

Moving away from the musical side of me, I used to be a very active sports player in the fields of Swimming, Tennis and Hockey. Unfortunately I had to give all of them up though due to various time constraints and medical reasons which was a shame. Now I basically do no sport though, so a complete reversal. I sometimes play the odd bit of badminton or squash, but its rare.