I make a living playing video game music on guitar! AMA!

How often do you stick your dick in outlets? I always thought there was something a bit off about you.

(edit: worth the downvotes for the obvious question. I wanted to see what he'd say. Thanks for taking it in stride, Jules

edit 2: or you can just vote me back into positive. That works too. Thanks, guys.)

Every morning. Coffee seldom gives me the kick it used to and cocaine seems a bit extreme. It's a good happy medium.

It's also a good way to stay grounded.

It's why they call him Joules.

I think I love you.

You say you make a living. How much do you make roughly on average? When did you realize you could do this as your main income source And how long do you think it will last?

Can't really talk about that because of specific contracts BUT I will say it's over all better than any minimum wage job I could find now AND I love it! Hope to make it last as long as it can!

TL;DR - enough. He makes exactly enough.

I'd rather be making enough doing something I love, than making a fortune doing something I can't stand.

This. A million times.

Family Jules! How you doing bro? Long time subscriber. I have a couple of questions for you.

1. What is your favorite cover that you've made?
2. What was your first video game?
3. What is your favorite video game?
4. If you were in Super Smash Brothers, what would your final smash be?

1. Probably my Jet Force Gemini Medley, super important soundtrack to me as it's probably my favorite game ever and a lot of the playing and techniques were a bit above me such at the time like the time signature in Water Ruins but I still ended up making it listenable!

2. My first video game was either Duck Hunt or the original Legend of Zelda. I can't remember.

3. Jet Force Geminiiiiiiiiiiii mouth frothing

4. DAMN. Uh. Maybe like a Dimebag divebomb with the whammy bar that translates to a real in game one since I abuse that guitar trick, but then the reload time is me having to restring my guitar since I go through a metric butt load as it is.

When did you decide you wanted to make a living solely doing music?

Btw huge fan here, keep rockin' man!

It's always been a dream, man! Making sandwiches at Subway wasn't cutting it! I didn't really realize it was achievable until people started watching me on YouTube.

Making sandwiches at Subway wasn't cutting it

I think you were doing it wrong.

LOL.

Awesome! What's your dream now?

Sustaining what I'm doing now and making a indefinite living out of it!

How many average views per month are you getting? And if you don't mind sharing, roughly how much per month are you getting out of your channel? Feel free to DM

Even if I could tell you exactly, it's super varied month to month depending on uploads and ads and stuff. For me, it takes also being partnered with Twitch and taking on commission and contract work to make a living.

No way man, I never knew you worked for subway! I'm a store manager! Any tips for getting away from the subs?

The way you put that made me realize that I gave up making subs at subway to trying to make subs for YouTube. I can't escape.

Would you have any tips for getting recognized on YouTube?

Constant upload schedule seems like the best tip I've found! Keep at it and good luck, man!

How did you end up meeting Danny B?

He sent me like this email that was all caps after my first Super Meat Boy cover like "HOW THE FUCK. I DON'T WRITE FOR HUMANS TO PLAY THIS." And the rest is history. Sometimes I go over his house and breath heavily over his shoulder while he writes.

How much do you make?

Roughly a video a month.

Roughly an album in 6 months as well. Sorry my videos have suffered while I was doing that.

Since my income comes from many things like YouTube, Twitch, Contracts, Commissions, Guitar Lessons and other odd music jobs, it really varies from month to month and year to year. It's one of the downsides of working in music especially for yourself. However it's worth it getting to do something you love to pay the bills.

Youtube partners have a confidentiality agreement with this sort of thing, so I doubt your question will get answered.

To my understanding, one of the reasons why the confidentiality agreement is in place is that one person with the same views, same videos, and same consistency of uploads could be making a significantly different amount than the other. Being paid for YouTube and Twitch can be extremely varied since it's based on so many things. I make enough to live off of, as I've said in the title, but in the interest of other content creators regardless of contract, I choose not to say how much I make out of respect for the other artists doing the same thing I do.

When you're not shredding with your guitar what are your other hobbies?

Coffee. I usually just sit at coffee shops and put my own stories to the elaborate bearded hipsters that walk in.

Video games are fun too.

Ah nice, also how often have you had music labels approach you to contract you with some sort of deal?

Since I'm more rooted in games, I don't hear much from music labels which is okay since I'd rather be working for games anyways.

Finally, an AMA by someone I like AND I'm not too late.

Hey Jules (can I call you that?), Do you make videos of games you have a personal interest in or do you just do whatever has a melody that you think would sound good in your style? Or is it a recommendation thing like some other channels?

I only play songs from games I played and had an emotional connection to. I think it's really important to creating a cover that both respects the original song and makes it interesting to work on and go my own way with it!

https://imgflip.com/i/la3vm

Sees red inbox.

Someone posting a meme mocking him.

https://i.imgflip.com/la59z.jpg

What is your favorite game of all time?

Jet Force Gemini for the N64!

I definitely squee'd when I read that! I've never personally met anyone else that has played that game (other than my childhood friends who I forced convinced to play it with me). Shout out to a super fun game!!! Cheers!

The multiplayer in JFG was so fucking good

Right?!

What is your recording set up like?

I'm doing a Music Technology/Production course in college a the moment and I would like to know what sort of equipment you use to record.

Also, what digital workstation do you use?

It's come a long way. It started with a truly ragged Line 6 POD X3 and an iPhone that I ran through Mixcraft. Now I'm using Cubase 7.5 with KRK VXT 8 monitors and a newly bought Axe FX II XL+. My wallet was hurting for a while after that last one.

Where did you learn to play guitar and bass like you do?

All self taught! Books and YouTube! I studied for a bit in college but that was for Classical Guitar which I was my major.

Anything you would personally recommend to read/watch for those interested in taking their playing further?

I benefited a lot from John Petrucci's Rock Discipline for guitar. Then any techniques I was trying to nail I'd just search for them. Tom Hess is great. I also constantly love watching bass videos from Scott's Bass Lessons and mixing tips from Recordingrevolution.com.

Set goals! Be specific to yourself as to what you want to accomplish and follow through with those steps!

I think he meant more along the lines of books/videos that helped you understand guitar better.

True. I'll answer again.

Have you ever played Super Smash Bros? If so who is your favorite? Also would you consider posting tabs of your game music history medley?

I have! I'm a (terrible) Captain Falcon player! Doing the tabs for something like that video would be a SERIOUS undertaking. Maybe I'll just hire someone to do it so I can spend my time making more stuff like that.

Listening to your other music, it'd be awesome to hear you play Mute City

I did it in my F-Zero X Medley! Warning: I had some serious Dragon Ball Z hair.

Hey Jules! Big fan... lol, omg.

What will you be giving your mama for Mother’s Day?

I got you a big musical snow globe. Now stop embarrasing me, MOM.

Just kidding. Love you! Thanks for supporting me through all these years!

-Your son from the front page of Reddit.

Hey dude! Big fan after coming across your Donkey Kong Country 2 medley! I just have a few questions!

1. Which cover was the hardest for you to do? Whether it be for writing the parts, playing, or instrumentation.

2. Which part do you record first? (Minus the drum track, of course)

3. How many instruments in total do you play?

4. Did you ever think you'd become as popular as you are?

Thanks for reading! You're a fantastic musician :3

1. Enmity of the Darklord from Binding of Isaac was borderline impossible, along with all of Danny Baranowsky's music.

2. It usually depends. I like keeping to the original so I mostly lay down a scratch track of the lead guitars first but sometimes I'll hear a cool metal rhythm in my head and start with that.

3. Uh. Gosh. Guitar (Electric, Bass, Classical), Keyboard, Cello, and Ocarina. I dabble in others but those I play fairly consistently.

4. ABSOLUTELY NOT. I still can't believe people are asking me questions here!

1. Are you working on any upcoming projects?
2. What games have you worked on? (If any)
3. If Hitler, Stalin and Toby were in a room and you only had 2 bullets, who would you shoot?

1. I am! Mostly trying to get my live act ready to go for some upcoming conventions as well as do videos to further promote my newly release album Aria's Ascent. Other than that, I could tell you but I'd have to kill you. :|

2. I've helped out on the soundtrack for The Binding of Isaac: Wrath of the Lamb, done a few random guitar lines or arrangements in a few smaller titles but recently did a full guitar arrangement for the soundtrack to Crypt of the Necrodancer that can be heard as a selectable soundtrack to play to in the game!

3. I would shoot Toby twice.

I didn't realize you did work for Wrath of the Lamb, which tracks did you work on?

My Innermost Apocalypse. Final final final boss.

do you ever fucking sleep?

No. But who really does?

Will you ever do anymore Paper Mario 64 covers? Namely the Menu screen or Title theme? (Pretty much the same track) Thanks for doing what you do man, big fan!

I should man, that was a good game. Hopefully soon!

How did you originally get into playing with other people? Where you worried about your skill level when you started to?

Of course! Playing with other people can be intimidating. I had to just remind myself that every guitarist can bring their own flavor to the table and anyone that would disrespect your playing level is a dickhead. Play to meet your own standard and other people will listen!

Hey Family Jules! Do you play the drums in your videos/music or is it all computerized?

All computerized. I am borderline disabled the second you put drumsticks in my hands.

So are us drummers.

He only is when he's holding drumsticks though.

How do you know the stage is even?

The drummer's drooling from both sides of his mouth.

Yes! Good musician jokes are so rare.

Your Dark Souls medley is probably my favorite thing.

My question is, if you could do the official soundtrack for any game, what sort of game would you want to do?

Honestly, I'd love to write the music for a racing game or a medieval style game. I love writing uplifting metal stuff so I feel like those could have something like that!

Sup Jules?

What are some of your favorite musical artists and your inspirations?

Avenged Sevenfold, Dethklok, The Doors, The Prodigy, Lady Gaga, Anamanaguchi, Devin Townsend, All That Remains, Pantera, Deftones... No particular order though. I think they all bleed through into my music.

Devin <3

Devin is life <3

Have you ever met him? He is so genuine and that's what I love

No! I'm so jealous! I'd probably just start frothing at the mouth from starstuckeness.

Hey buuuudy :) Just wondering, how long did it take to write, play and compile all of the 17 minutes history of gaming vid?

The whole thing took me a week. I only gave myself that long to complete it as a challenge. To write the whole thing? Maybe like one really intensive day of shuffling around mp3's since that's all I had time for!

What are some of your favorite bands and biggest inspirations?

I grew up with stuff like Goldfinger, Dead Kennedys and Operation Ivy, they really kinda kept music super fun and high energy but now a days I'm mostly listening to Devin Townsend and Dethklok and stuff. It's really hard to nail down just a few of my favorites.

What's your favorite Devin Townsend or DTP album? Any chance of some more Final Fantasy covers?

Z2 is still on repeat since it came out, man. I'd love to play more Final Fantasy! Hopefully soon!

What inspired you to start doing covers of video game music?

It was a mix between F-Zero and my now good buddy CSGuitar89 who does the same thing I do on YouTube. F-Zero made me wanna try the music on guitar and CSGuitar89 made me realize that people might actually want to listen to it!

Jules! Hey~ How are you? I only thought of one question for you. Why you have "FamilyJules7x" as a name in Youtube? :3

Family Jules was a name this dickhead from high school used to call me. It's kind of a constant reminder of how much I've grown up since then. 7x is a nod to Avenged Sevenfold who got me into metal all those years ago.

Hey Jules! o/

1-)Was it hard to use Cubase? It looks harder than Mixcraft!

2-)What about Yooka-Laylee, are you excited?

3-)Line 6 HD500 or BOSS GT-100?

1. It was, definitely a lot more to work with but there are SO many YouTube tutorials.

2. I'm SUPER excited about Yooka-Laylee!

3. I've only ever used the Line 6 HD series so I have to go with that since I got pretty good results with it.

What advice would you give to a 14 year old with dreams and musical skills but no funds or conduits for their music?

Definitely not a personal question....

Anyway, loved your music since the Gerudo Valley tutorial (So since I was like, ten), keep doing you! :D

Dude! I WAS YOU! At 14 I was crappily jamming away to riffs from Lamb of God but had little to no money or support to do music. Just keep at it no matter what! There's so many things that has to happen to be successful in music and you just gotta keep pushing no matter what! It's the crap advice everyone says but that's cuz it's TRUE! Keep at it, man and good luck!

Jules, would you ever consider following a model more like 331Erock's where there's a happy balance between video game covers, movie/tv covers, and metal renditions of other songs? Also I saw that you said that you were worried that you would run out of ideas for stuff besides video games but you could always just take recommendations for your fans.

Also I know this is a super long shot but would you ever do a metal cover of folsom prison blues by Johnny cash?

It's more of just where my heart is. I don't feel like I could ever get tired of video game music since video games are such an important part of who I am. I love movies and TV shows like the rest of them but I feel like in order to make a cover that is really something, a big part of my heart's gotta be in it too. Just feel like that'd be more finite with stuff other than video game music.

Dude! I actually almost covered that song with the singer from my last band! Johnny Cash is insane!

Do you have any favorite YouTube musicians?

Too many! CSGuitar89, ArtificialFear, Ferdk, LennartAlsing, Ottotheotter97, JAM2995, TheDelRe, ToxicXEternity, Songe, Lonlonjp, Smooth McGroove, Thunderscott6267, Swiggles1986, Jonathan Young, Adriasaurus, ViolinTay, RichaadEB, 331Erock, PelleK, DRpez12, LittleVMills, MaximumHamburgers, Rob Scallon, Dethraxx, DSC, Metalfortress, insaneintherainmusic....

Okay we'll be here all day haha!

1. What tuning do you play the forest maze in?
2. When did you first make your username?
3. If I pay you like 20 bucks, or with a free blow job, will you give me tabs from your snowboard kids cover

1. Oh man I don't remember. Probably Drop C for the rhythms but Standard for the leads.

2. I made my username back in high school back when this dick head wouldn't stop calling me FAMILY JULES.

3. Hm. You also have to do all of my projects during the time it would take to make the tabs, and then give me road head. While I'm the passenger.

Hey Jules, big fan.
My question is, Banjo-Kazooie or Banjo-Tooie?

Ooo. I think I've got more hours in BK but damn, Tooie had some SERIOUS music.

How do you make money doing this? Does it pay well?

It's a lot of things, I'm partnered on YouTube through Polaris which pays me per ad revenue, Twitch.tv which is the same along with people who opt-in to the paid subscriptions, along with commission and contract work for video games along with giving guitar lessons and doing other odd music jobs. It's a lot but beats folding shirts at Marshalls!

If you were given a chance to own any animal that would never turn on you, what would it be?

I'm a cat lover (Redditor4life) so probably a cheetah or some shit. BIG KITTY.

Jules, should I buy active pickups for a shitty guitar or a guitar that already has nice pickups? Right now I'm kinda broke so I'm tempted to just buy some EMGs and put them in my crappy guitar myself but I'm not sure if it would work well.

Congratulations on the Crypt of the Necrodancer Soundtrack as well. Sounds sick \m/

I'm not a huge fan of most EMG pickups. Active does NOT mean good. Definitely do research into your favorite players and see what they use to get the tone they have. It also depends on what you intend to use the guitar with active pickups for!

FamilyJules7x Which Pokemon game is your favorite?

2nd Gen. I just loved the switch over from R/B/Y to G/S.

I remember discovering you on YouTube when I doing the usual search for covers of video game music. That was about 4 years ago. II love video game music and I absolutely love your guitar renditions of favorite tracks and I try to spread the word on your work to my fellow video gaming friends.

I guess my question would be, how difficult is it to transcode say an 8-bit soundtrack compared to something that sounds orchestrated? Apologies for my lack of musical knowledge and terminology. Again, you're awesome and keep doing what you do!!

Older video game music with fewer instrument lines is much easier to pick out the notes by ear. Orchestration is much harder since everything blends together. With music theory knowledge sometimes you can figure out notes based on the chords with that stuff but generally it's easier with 8-bit music.

Hey Jules, I was wondering if you were ever going to do karaoke on twitch again? I may or may not have a 3 year old picture of you and wolv singing backstreet boys on my computer. Also a motherfuckin' LEAF

MOTHAFUCKIN LEEEEEEAF!

And HOLY SHIT blast from the past. We definitely gotta do karaoke live again. I know where he lives now so maybe we'll do it in the same room next time! Bahaha.

Please tell me you are a fan of Powerglove?

Fuck yeah, of course!

As a guitar player, what are your favorite brands of guitar gear (guitars, pedals, amps etc.) and why?

I've always loved the feel of Schecters, Gibsons, and PRS guitars. Ibanez is great too. I'm not much of a pedal junkie but I love my Digitech Whammy and Ibanez Weeping Demon Wah Pedal. I love using Bogner amps for metal and also can never go wrong with a 5150 or Mesa Boogie stuff. I mostly use amp sim tech these days though so I've got a Line 6 POD HD Pro and an Axe FX II. Music is too damn expensive, man.

Which of your covers is your favorit?

I think my favorite was my Jet Force Gemini medley, but I also had a blast doing the Zelda End Credits, Donkey Kong Country 2 Medley, and Hyrule Market Night Theme cover.

1.Do you ever compose any music?

2.What are your life-long goals?

3.If you could talk to or play with any musician that's ever been alive,who and why?

1. Yes! I hope to compose music for more indie games very soon!

2. My life goals just include making a living doing music for video games or any medium really. I suppose I'm already living that dream!

3. I would love to talk to a (sober) Jim Morrison. I've read a ton of biographies and was really interested in his life when I was younger.

Favourite guitar pick?

Edit: Okay, maybe ignore this question, seeing as I just realised that you've been using the same pick for your videos for a while now from the video description (the CSGuitar89 Custom 1.14mm one).

How quickly did you find success on YouTube, and how has your response to that been? I only subscribed to you since you did the "Want You Gone" cover for Portal 2 a while back, so I don't know much about that.

I've been using the Jazz III's lately. I talked a lot of shit about them but then found one on the floor at a show I had played and immediately ate my own words. They're super cool.

I've been a fan of your videos for years now. Your current work on YouTube and a few video games is amazing. What does the future hold for you and what do you hope to accomplish?

I hope to keep doing what I'm doing! I'd love to keep doing covers while on the side doing music for games! If I can continue making a living doing that, I don't think I could ever get sick of it!

Hey Jules, been a fan of your work for a while now and have, I think, most of your stuff on my phone as a go-to playlist. I picked up an Ocarina after being really impressed with your work on one, any idea how I can learn it with no prior musical knowledge?

Also just gonna throw out a cover suggestion- Yoshi's Island final boss theme. That song is dope!

There are great online sources to learn ocarina. My buddy Docjazz4 has some great tutorials along with brilliant covers on YouTube! You should hit him up!

Yoshi's Island is a game I've sorely neglected for covers. SOON.

Hey, Jules! I'm a long time fan and have had Aria's Ascent on repeat for the past week.

How did you make the leap from YouTube to indie games? Did you reach out to developers or vice versa?

Vice Versa! Danny Baranowsky reached out to me after doing some Super Meat Boy stuff and that in turn got me to meet the composer of Minecraft, VVVVVV and a ton of others as well as other composers, broadcasters and developers in the industry! I got REALLY lucky so I do recommend reaching out to these people since especially in the indie crowd. Just about EVERYONE is totally cool and willing to help people get off the ground and give advice if they can.

what software do u use to record drums? is it ezdrummer?

I did for a while, now I use Superior Drummer 2.0!

Hi Jules! Thanks for doing this AMA!

I was wondering what do you use to make the drum tracks? I suspect maybe you use some kind of programs with sound samples? If you don't mind shedding some light on this! Thanks.

Sorry if you already answered this question in a previous AMA or Q&A.

I program them all using Toontrack's Superior Drummer 2.0. You use a piano roll to plug in each drum hit!

Been listening to your covers for quite some time now! It'll be fun to pick your brain!

Have you ever played rocksmith and what do you think of it as a learning tool? I've been playing with it for a few years and I have noticed a lot of improvement. I've got a long way to go though before I get to your level!

Also, favourite video game in the last year or so?

Thanks for your time!

I got Rocksmith recently actually! Someone had told me that people have tabbed my covers for it and I HAD to try! It's a great learning tool definitely.

Favorite game in the last year would have to be Grand Theft Auto V. That or Crypt of the Necrodancer, not because I'm part of it but because it's just such a fucking unique and addicting new experience!

Hey Jules!

What is a cover of yours that you feel made you grow the most as a musician?

Honestly, doing the 17 minute medley in a week really pushed me to my absolute limits. It really put into perspective what I prioritize under incredible deadlines and let me see what I could do differently in the future to make time for the things that needed more priority than others.

Who are your favorite composers for game/movie/tv soundtracks?

Games: Danny Baranowsky, Grant Kirkhope, Scott Lee, Dan Wentz, Duane Decker, Graeme Norgate and Jack Wall. SOO Many though, that's just to name a few.

Movies: John Williams, Hans Zimmer and Howard Shore. There are plenty more I can't think of at the moment.

TV: Brandon Small's Metalocalypse of course.

For all three though, Michael Giacchino since he's done some of my favorite OSTs in all three categories!

What's the absolute worst game you've ever played, and why does it suck?

Okay, I'll get some flack for this, but Quest 64.

I don't know why. It was just so damn boring to me. It felt like a chore to sit in front of it but I know so many people who loved it!

Holy shit dude you're amazing! The legend of Zelda sequence in the cover of video game history gave me shivers! How long have you been playing guitar and what made you decide to do covers of gaming music?

Thank you! I've been playing for almost 10 years now. It was a mix between the music from F-Zero and watching people like CSGuitar89 and Metaldaniel03 on YouTube who got me into doing it!

Hello Jules! I just a question on your Snowboard Kids 2 medley:

How exactly were you able to cover Starlight Highway? How did you manage to learn, and play the really fast up-and-down sweeping parts? I'm trying to learn how to play by ear, but real fast parts like that seem almost impossible to me. All advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!

Keep up the good work!

It helps to kind of hear the chord that's playing and make educated guesses on some of the really fast notes. Takes a lot of recording down what you think it is, comparing it, then making necessary changes. It gets to be a lot of work but it's so worth it in the end!

I saw this ama and immediately remembered seeing this. I don't think that's you. I'm not a gamer anymore like at all so what do I know?

Question for you: when you're relaxing at home and have your guitar in hand, what songs come to you without even thinking? What is your relationship with these songs?

Thanks for doing this ama btw. I've nevee read anything like this!

Wow that rocks! I did a Mega Man X Medley with that song in it, too!

I always end up playing the Legend of Zelda theme or the Route 1 song from Pokemon Red and Blue. I've been hearing those songs since I was very young so they're melodies that I'm pretty sure are just like engraved my brain and my heart for life!

As someone who is aspring to up their presence on YouTube, what are some tips you have for getting my videos out more and not seeing obnoxious? Thanks so much!

Obnoxious is good! Uploading as much as possible is not as important as uploading as consistently as possible. When people subscribe, they want to know when to expect the next video! Make it clear what that schedule is and hold to it as long as possible and more people will feel better about being long term and active subscribers!

Do you think you'll ever be as good as 331Erock?

I don't think anyone can be as good as 331Erock. I'm pretty sure he's a robot.

Holy shit, it's Jules!

Your Metroid medly is damn amazing. Rock so hard, jam so good, then suddenly..ocarina!! Goddamn that's some good work!

I've seen some youtubers use clips of your work in their "boilerplates" and titles. Are they paying you for that?

I'm pretty open to people using my music for intros and videos as long as it's credited in the description and/or video and there are no profits being made!

Do you have a day job or do you make enough to support yourself through your music?

I'm full time music now! Definitely nice after working many shit jobs to finally say that!

Hello stranger :P

1. Do you feel there can ever be an over-saturation of other video game cover artists?

2. What is one of the most important thing you learned in doing three years of weekly covers (musically or otherwise)?

3. Fruits or vegetables?

1. NO. Every guitarist brings something new to the table regardless of inspiration or material. I love watching all the people on YouTube do it because it's so refreshing!

2. The most important thing I learned is to make the music that you yourself want to hear. It is very easy to get wrapped up in doing things mixingwise or playingwise that you THINK someone else would prefer over what you would like, be it self doubt or whatever. Play music for yourself and other people will listen. It's the best way to grow as a musician.

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bxZylSiJ78

Have you ever made a song for a game you haven't liked but the company still went and put the song in?

So far I've always been in situations with games where I've had good communication with the developer and team. If there's anything that they don't like we usually can come to a compromise about the song or arrangement.

What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings! Beefy's for my lead guitars and Not Even Slinkys for Rhythms.

Do you play the Tetris theme?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO3CfP-eOLA

What guitar and equipment do you use?

Everything I use in each video is listed in the description but it's primarily my PRS SE Custom 7 String, Schecter Damien FR, Gibson Explorer, Cordoba C7 Classical Guitars, Ibanez Soundgear SR405QM, with either my Line 6 POD HD Pro or my new Axe FX II XL+, and then for software I use Cubase 7.5, Toontrack Superior Drummer and a plethora of VSTs and plugins.

Who's your imaginative daddy, and what does he do?

As a fan and friend of Lyle McDouchebag, I guess I have to say him since the rest of his fan base calls him dad. He makes silly YouTube videos. I was in one of his making fun of those guys who do 'pranks' on YouTube.

Awesome videos, brother.

What do you think of Stemage's Metroid Metal? Would you consider a collaboration in the future to blow all the socks off in the world?

Definitely! I've seen Metroid Metal quite a few times and absolutely love what they do!

Any chance of you doing a guitar cover of a touhou song?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyjpeSsARjM

Hey Jules big fan. I started a music channel awhile ago but lost motivation. Whats your advice to people who want to jump in to the videogame music territory? Is there too many people trying now? Find a niche?

Just keep at it and make friends with other people who do it! Collaborate and try to do things outside the box! A lot of people are intimidated by how many people are doing it but it's such a community now! Everyone is super cool and there's always people who would be down to collaborate if they have time. Challenge yourself to stick to a schedule of uploading and just keep at it!

On a scale of 1 to 10 how loud is my pee?

0/10. Bad meme, friend.

Have you ever made your own song?

I've made plenty! I write for my band Thunderforge and have a few originals on my website www.FamilyJules7x.com!

Since doing the Aria's Ascent album for Crypt of the Necrodancer, do you have any plans/aspirations to do the music for more games?

Also, if you had the opportunity to release an official alternate metal album for another game, which game would it be and why?

1. My dream is to do music for the game industry. Since that's pretty much what I'm doing, I guess I do hope to sustain it!

2. That's a fucking cool question. Uh. A metal soundtrack to Jet Force Gemini would be cool to pop ant heads with. Or maybe Banjo Kazooie? Grant Kirkhope plays a mean guitar though, I'm sure he wouldn't need me to do it.

How many hours of practice/work per week did you put into your 3-year weekly challenge?

I couldn't even keep track, man. It felt like a full time job if not more so definitely pushing 60 hours a week. Which sucked when I had a job, but it really didn't matter. I loved doing it!

As a long-time subscriber, it's amazing seeing you become probably the biggest video game guitarist on YouTube. What do you think made your channel more popular than a lot of the channels that influenced you?

I honestly have no idea! There are so many absolutely stellar guitarists doing exactly what I'm doing, in some ways way better! I think I just have been more consistent with my uploads in the past! That's the only thing I can think of!

Huge fan after all your amazing Mass Effect covers! What is your ideal Shepherd play through?

Do you mean ending choice or character? If the latter, I played as Femshep and loved every minute of it! Jennifer Hale is amazing.

What games have you recently been playing?

Grand Theft Auto V, Crypt of the Necrodancer, and Cities: Skylines.

Jules, have you beaten Crypt of the NecroDancer with all three characters yet?

I love your music, but I usually hear only the first 10 seconds of a track followed by Aria screaming and dying.

I have not. I almost beat Cadence last night on the daily challenge but Ryan Clark sure knows how to make a damn hard game.

I haven't even legitimately made it to my own soundtrack yet! :0

Hey Jules, huge fan of Aria's Ascent, what's your favourite song on the album?

Thanks so much! I think I had the most fun with Frozen in Panic and Shadow to Prevail! Got to get really groovy with the rhythm guitars in those ones!

Hey, I've been a sub for a couple of years now and I love your stuff! I was wondering, would you consider releasing your Stone Tower Temple cover as a standalone song? The MM Medley is great, but I just love STT.

I actually have plans to do a full length Stone Tower Temple video soon!

What game franchise would you love making music for? Zelda or F-Zero?

Oh MAN. That's tough. The Zelda series define my upbringing in games but F-Zero introduced me to playing this shit on guitar! I'd have to tell them to make a crossover game, otherwise I'd combust trying to decide.

What is your relational life like? Do you have a girlfriend?

When you put this much time into your career and school, it's hard to devote enough time to a relationship. I think my ex-girlfriend has a thing or two to say on that subject...

Have you ever thought about doing covers of things other than video games? Like soundtracks from movies or shows, or other songs?

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to pick up how to play an instrument?

I'm a huge fan and I've loved your covers for a long time. I can't wait to get the money to buy Aria's Ascent! Keep up the amazing work!

1. I would LOVE to! I did a cover of the El Dorado theme on my Twitch.tv stream a few weeks ago and had anyone in the chat who wanted to collaborate and send in vocals join in! The reason I don't do it on my YouTube channel though is that I feel I could eventually run out of movie/show OSTs way faster than I would run out of Video Game ones.

2. IT'S GONNA SUCK BUT IT'LL BE WORTH IT. Don't stop no matter what!

3. Thanks so much! Aria's Ascent is available to stream for free on YouTube and Loudr until then!

Hey man love your music and streams I have 2 questions, 1. What's your favourite show 2. Do you have any grades on guitar ?

Keep up the good work man!

1. Favorite show of all time is Metalocalypse but lately I've been in LOVE with Daredevil and House of Cards.

2. Not sure I understand this question. Do you mean was I graded on guitar in college? Yes, and I did fairly well but the teachers didn't like it when I sweep picked on a classical guitar much. Or constantly played the Ganondorf theme up and down the halls.

Hi Jules, recent fan here. I found you thanks to your Isaac Medley, which is genius. And then through your VVVVVV Medley which was equally awesome, and then I knew I had to listen to the rest of your work. I also like how you encourage others to do the same. Truly inspiring! Keep being awesome!

The questions:

1) What does 7X stand for? Ever wanted to change your artist name because it sounds too username-ish ? Would you do it at this point?

2) What is the difference between buying Aria's Ascent album on bandcamp and buying the extended CotN soundtrack on Steam?

3) What will you be working on from now on?

1. 7x is a nod to the band that really got me into metal, Avenged Sevenfold. But yes, I've been thinking of dropping it. Rebranding is a scary thought though!

2. The extended album on steam includes A-Rival's amazing soundtrack and the songs that I did for the game mixed and mastered by the amazing Zircon! Aria's Ascent features all the songs, mixed and mastered by me, with bonus guitar parts to the boss songs along 8 additional bonus tracks featuring 4 extremely talented artist collaborations! Both support me so either way is fine!

3. From now on I hope to get my live set ready for conventions and to make more YouTube videos!

Judging by your name, you're a fan of Avenged Sevenfold. If you are, what is your favorite song by them?

Radiant Eclipse. Waking the Fallen was soooo tight.

On the subject of conventions, which ones would you say are your favorites to attend?

MAGFEST. MAGFEST. MAGFEST. MAGFEST.

and fifthly... MAGFEST.

Which cover do you feel like you were the most overall successful in? (Tone, Musicianship, etc...)

I did a cover of Caverns from Goldeneye 64 that I still have no idea how I got that bass tone. Plus it was groovin' as hell. I wish I remember what I was drinking that week.

How would you recommend for someone to get into transcribing making their own arrangements? I've been playing for a few years now, but I've never been able to pick that ability up, and I've always wanted to ever since I started watching players like you.

That's tough, man. I'd say try to take a song you love and can play and try to remake it on completely new instruments. Ideas to spice up the arrangement may come just by working on it!

What tips do you have for people starting out with instruments?

It's not easy to do! No matter what instrument! You have to keep at it and just never stop consuming as much knowledge and practice as you can and I guarantee every ounce of it will pay off in the end! Just don't stop before it can!

Hey Jules! I'm a huge fan of your work and I am also a huge fan of A7X. My question for you is if you could meet any of the band members of Avenged Sevenfold, who would it be and why?

Man, if I could only meet one, it'd be Syn. He obviously has a lot of influence on my playing but damn I'd love to meet all of them.

Before recording each cover, how do you decide on what you want to play?

I did have a list but it was usually overwritten by some game song that got stuck in my head. No better way to get a song out of your head than spending an intensive week covering it!

Hey Jules! Big fan of your work! \m/

Are there any covers/original things you've made that you fuckin' hate now, for whatever reason?

Also, any more big projects on the horizon?

A ton of them! I'm constantly going back like "What was I THINKING?". Not gonna say which ones though.

I've got so many things I'm looking forward to! Playing my covers live at cons and making more video game covers for YouTube along with more work for indie games!

How would you recommend for someone to get into transcribing making their own arrangements? I've been playing for a few years now, but I've never been able to pick that ability up, and I've always wanted to ever since I started watching players like you.

That's tough, man. I'd say try to take a song you love and can play and try to remake it on completely new instruments. Ideas to spice up the arrangement may come just by working on it!

You've said that you only make covers for games that you've actually played through before, so that you actually have a connection to the game and its music when you make a cover.

My question is, are there any games whose music you've heard that you want to do a cover for, but haven't gotten around to playing yet? And if so, are there any specific songs?

Oh yeah plenty! Mostly Nintendo stuff like Earthbound, Super Mario Galaxy, Luigi's Mansion, but also stuff like Bloodbourne and newer games. There's so much damn good music!