Hi, our lovely readers!
Woodo you like to hear the story I promised last time? 😁
This one has a bit of Christmas fairytale magic in it. It’s the story about how our composer found his way to Woodo.
Once upon a time, when I had just started sharing the very first Woodo concepts on Instagram, a nice person made a short video about the first room I ever modeled for the game.
At that time, he was just beginning his journey in 3D art and was reposting scenes by other artists to learn from and to try making connections. It worked! He caught my attention, and that’s how our friendship began.
One day, I told him I was preparing a video for the Wholesome Games Showcase (a showcase for cozy games) and complained that I had no idea where to find music for it. Unexpectedly, he told me I could use a song he had written a long time ago, and it just so happened to be about nostalgia and childhood memories, just like Woodo!
I didn’t even know he was a composer! 😱
He explained that he used to compose music, but after burning out, he had stepped away and turned to 3D art instead. He wasn’t even sure if he ever wanted to make music again!
Anyway, this showcase video was the reason our publisher first noticed Woodo.
I asked him if he would ever consider being the composer for the game, but he said he wasn’t interested. This was 2020. Then several years passed…
In 2024, we finally signed a publishing contract, And Don finally became our composer! 😁
- But, hey Don, could you fill in some gaps?
- Sure!
Despite years of playing in a rock band as a teenager and my old bandmates making fun of me for being a “game music nerd”, I always knew from an early age that I wanted a life in music composition for games.
As the years went on, though, getting married and having kids, this higher priority to provide for my family was always there. But my love for music never stopped…
I created stock music tracks weekly. Built an online guitar teaching website on my weekends. I would even teach 1 on 1 private guitar lessons just before my ~OVERNIGHT~ shift as gas station manager. All with a growing family (And I wonder why I like coffee so much! 😅).
Then, after years of this type of “always grinding” non-stop schedule, the unthinkable happened.
I suddenly had no joy in music anymore. I was completely burned out and totally overloaded. Something finally had to give.
I spent the next several years trying new ways to fill the creative/music void in my life. Like Julia mentioned, one of these was 3D art, which was how we met.
Many years passed and after a very long break, I finally started to get my musical drive back. Julia asked me again to be the composer for the game, and I agreed. A childhood dream, finally come true! So after all these years, our friendship has not only grown, but now, we are friends, making a game about friendship!
This is obviously a very condensed version of the last 25 years or so of my life, but, it just goes to show you that you never know what path will eventually lead you to your dreams!
- Thank you, Don, for your story!
Am I proud? Yes!
I'm proud that Woodo was the thing that finally helped him find his way back to what he loves, and we got such a good and passionate composer. I'm really grateful for the chain of events that led us both here.
I truly believe that these things are not accidental at all and that this magic will be converted into magic you can see, and hear, in the game. Wish all of you who celebrate a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🥰🎄 Julia
Tiny Monks Tales